Glass bricks

Dear blog, 

On June 10th we went to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. But before I could even look at any of the cars my eye was caught on something much more beautiful. Glass bricks. It was like seeing a familiar face in a forgotten land. My favorite building material, glass bricks. 

(glass bricks in the Museo Ferrari, Maranello)

Glass bricks were first patented in 1886 (by Gustave Falconnier) but not widely used or popularized until 1933. They became very popular from the 1930s to 40s due to the sudden wide availability and affordability of glass. The were typically used in Art Deco and Streamline Modern architectural styles, used to add a touch of modernity to a building. They then gained popularity once more in the 1980s, widely used in corporate offices and “Miami Vice-esque” homes due to their affordability and the ability to simultaneously provide privacy and allow light to shine through.

Sadly, glass bricks are now viewed as “dated” and used much less in architecture these days. A true shame. 

I always get so excited when I see glass bricks, there is something so magical about the ripple in the glass and the square shape and slight hint of what is behind it.