October 15, 2010

Glass







http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBuG_iO12bnyCRrOLjH05hpm2xgFqMmdtgihDHIJwKVUtnuKc&t=1&usg=__ZsSy9P1GZIUeSADESiSXiN8HIXM=


Gherkin or Swiss Re Building, London UK







Its a pristine medium, evoking the ironic feeling of privacy. I found some images I am really into displaying glass and some of its uses. They are beautiful, some well known, but all leave me awe-inspired.

From the reading:
 Glass is transparent but we all experience it differently. It can change our perception of things and impact our senses.



The Louvre in Paris







Here's an exerpt from the wedbsite about this unique building:


"In Prague, the famous Dancing House daring, curvy outlines led its architects, Vlado Milunc and the American Frank O Gehry, to initially name it the "Astaire & Rogers Building", after the legendary dance duo.
Now the curvy glass feature has been painted with Picasso's "The Three Dancers". When the sun shines directly on the glass, the colors of Picasso's work are brilliantly displayed. In the shade(or night), the painting is translucent."



Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai





I visited Dubai in 2005-2006 and was able to see this phenomenal structure in person. I unfortunately was not able to go inside but its still an awesome building to admire from the outside. I’ve watched many Nat Geo and Discovery Channel specials about it and its pioneering methods of construction. The Burj Al Arab is a 1053 feet tall, 7 star hotel where the rooms range from $1,500-$8,000 per night. 



"The Burj consists of a steel exoskeleton, highly reflective glass, a mast and the defining fabric sail. The exoskeleton bows out in a V-shape, framing the contour of the sail. Two layers of Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric stretch over pre-tensioned arches and connect to girders on two floors. During the day, the fabric softens the light that filters into the atrium. At night, the scrim serves as a projection screen for a colorful light show. The mast, which is not part of the exoskeleton, rises 197 feet above the top of the building."


I was exploring glass furniture. I think it has the potential for reading cold and hard, not so inviting. Very minimalistic. It wouldn’t be a choice I would put in my own home other than maybe for a table, but I think its really interesting use of materials. It would be fun to play with it for a client. It would definately have to be in a space that doesn’t have that much traffic I feel like. Glass always makes people think of delicate things so for it to be used as a table is pretty awesome!







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