How the Evolution of Glass Brings Light to Contemporary Architecture
I propose to explore how the evolution of glass has led to the enhanced use of light as a foundational element of contemporary architecture.
Glass as a material has taken many different shapes and strengths throughout the history of architecture as the ability to manufacture it evolved. My exhibit will show that the use of light as key element of contemporary architecture is greatly enhanced by the evolution of glass as a material. Glass is a very widely used material today but hasn’t always been this way.
As our society embraces sustainability and a better appreciation for our natural environment, contemporary architecture has led the way. People want less walls and more glass to make their environment as bright and open as possible
The use of light and therefore glass, relates to my major of interior design because I am very interested in natural light and its impact on interior spaces. How you design an interior space to accentuate the type of light as a result of the architecture is fascinating.
When I think of the use of glass in architecture, I immediately think of the Glass House built by Philip Johnson and the Glass Pavilion by Bruno Taut. Glass has been used in many different forms as a material. In Philip Johnson’s house glass was used as exterior walls while in Bruno Taut’s structure the staircase was made of glass bricks. The International Style of modernism also impacted the use of the glass in skyscrapers which I will explore.
My exhibit will increase the understanding of how glass has brought light to contemporary architecture.
Philip Johnson’s Glass House
Bruno Taut’s Glass Pavilion
Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson’s Seagram Building
Bibliography
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