| st Influential Glass House | | | | Keeping the Glass Clean: Modern technology means |
| Building an entire house out of glass has fascinated | | | | that glass houses can now be built with glass that is |
| and intrigued designers and architects for decades, | | | | self-cleaning. This glass has a special coating that |
| but it was only in 1949 that this idea captured the | | | | reacts with the ultra-violet rays from the sun to |
| attention of the world. Philip Johnson was the | | | | break down and disintegrate organic dirt. When it |
| architect of this modernist glass construction on his | | | | rains, the same coating causes the water to spread |
| own property in New Canaan Connecticut. The | | | | out across the entire pane of glass, leaving it to run |
| immaculate design was made entirely of glass in a | | | | off and taking the loosened dirt with it. The glass |
| geometric and proportional structure, complete with | | | | dries quickly, without any unsightly streaking, basically |
| flat glass roof. The brick platform supported the | | | | keeping itself clean. |
| eight steel pillars that held the glass intact. The only | | | | Keeping the House Warm or Cool: The type of glass |
| other material used within the house was a brick | | | | used in the build of a glass house can go a long way |
| cylinder in the centre used to hide the bathroom | | | | to eliminating many heating or cooling problems. Low |
| from exterior eyes. This pillar of modern design was | | | | emissivity glass reflects heat back into a room whilst |
| applauded the world over and introduced people to a | | | | letting in free heat from the sun, making it easier and |
| myriad of new possibilities in design and building | | | | more cost effective to keep buildings warm. This |
| materials. The effects of Johnson’s design | | | | type of glass helps to actually reduce heating and |
| were felt in architectural works for years to come | | | | cooling bills, making your home more economical and |
| and after his death in 2005; the house was finally | | | | environmentally friendly. |
| opened to the public. | | | | How to Manage a Glass Roof: Having a complete |
| Actual Houses Made of Glass | | | | glass house, glass roof included, can be a scary |
| Johnson’s glass house might have been at the | | | | thought as no one wants the sun’s rays |
| height of style at its time, but there are many | | | | beating down on them inside. Photovoltaic cells can |
| impracticalities that come with glass houses. The lack | | | | be mounted on the roof to generate electricity and |
| of privacy with Johnson’s architectural | | | | are angled like louvres to moderate the amount of |
| innovation did not affect him within the isolation of his | | | | sunlight that enter your home. The glass can also be |
| walled estate and his commitment to minimalism and | | | | etched with a slight pattern to reduce solar gain and |
| immaculate design even prevented the use of a | | | | add an attractive feature. To avoid sweltering |
| pillow on his bed, maintaining the aesthetic appeal of | | | | summers you can use solar control glass in your roof |
| the house at all times. Many of us don’t have | | | | construction. Solar control glass helps keep rooms at |
| the private estate or the time to be as committed | | | | a comfortable temperature, therefore creating a |
| to the aesthetic integrity of our homes and issues | | | | more pleasant environment in summer than ordinary |
| like cleaning the expansive walls of glass become the | | | | glass. |
| most immediate concern. Massive challenges such as | | | | The Safety of Living Behind Glass Walls: As with the |
| keeping such a home warm in winter and cool in | | | | cleaning and the cooling, the safety of your home all |
| summer are also pertinent concerns. Full glass houses, | | | | depends on the type of glass fitted. Toughened |
| despite being fashionable and aesthetically stunning, | | | | safety glass can be fitted which is able to withstand |
| have never quite caught on and one of the reasons | | | | deliberate attack of various kinds. |
| that Johnson’s house retains its popularity | | | | Waste Glass Houses |
| today is that fact that it is still so unique. | | | | These days glass houses do not necessarily mean |
| Modern Day Glass Houses | | | | bright, transparent structures. With the recent rush |
| With recent technological innovations however, there | | | | to become more environmentally friendly, scientists |
| have been significant advances in the possibility of | | | | are coming up with new ecological building materials |
| finally being able to build glass houses. There is | | | | every day. Bitumen blocks are the latest innovation in |
| something about glass that oozes beauty and | | | | this area and are essentially building blocks made up |
| sophistication and many of us dream of having such | | | | of waste products. Crushed glass is a common |
| an impressive structure to call home. Besides its | | | | product used and is mixed with bitumen as a binding |
| aesthetic appeal and dramatic lifestyle statement, a | | | | agent. The mixture is then heated and compressed |
| glass house actually has many benefits: | | | | and cooled, creating a shaped building material that is |
| A home made of glass is environmentally | | | | stronger than concrete. This highly effective recycling |
| responsive, blending in with almost any backdrop. | | | | method is gaining interest around the world, meaning |
| These homes make low energy living easy and | | | | you now might need to double check what it means |
| are thus kinder to the environment and your pocket. | | | | when the brochure says glass house! |
| Glass houses can easily incorporate state of the | | | | A Compromise |
| art technology that can save you money in the long | | | | Many people love a light-filled home or having a house |
| term and makes life easier. | | | | with a lovely indoor-outdoor flow, but just |
| Glass houses improve the natural lighting in your | | | | can’t quite get their heads around the |
| home. | | | | concept of an entire home constructed from glass. |
| Glass houses now come almost ready-made, in | | | | One of the best ways to still incorporate all the |
| three sections that simply need to be erected. | | | | benefits of glass into your existing home is to add on |
| Glass houses are in fact exceptionally low | | | | a conservatory. This glass structure adds instant |
| maintenance, provided you have constructed it from | | | | style and sophistication to any home as well as an |
| the correct glass. | | | | often much needed extra room. Furnished beautifully |
| But What About the Problems? | | | | in natural colours and through the use of plants and |
| While these benefits may sound terrific, especially the | | | | decor, these rooms can bring the outdoors in, while |
| fact that you can practically build a new home in | | | | creating a light and bright atmosphere throughout |
| three steps, glass houses still come with a myriad of | | | | your home. |
| questions and scepticism. | | | | |