Crystal Walls

A look at homes where glass plays a central theme showcased in the BBC series The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes. Glass plays an important role in the contemporary residence. It is no longer confined to use for windows, or rather the windows have expanded to become entire walls. Glass is also being put to other uses, such as floors and walkways, stairs and more.

The Wall House

Portugal

Guedes Cruz Arquitectos

Probably the most extraordinary use of glass by far, the Wall House has an outdoor swimming pool with a glass floor that sits over a lap pool and lounge area where you can watch swimmers above your head.

Casa Na Gateira

Portugal

Camarim Arquitectos

A holiday home built for two British owners, blends into the ancient vineyards and olive groves with a drystone wall concealing a snake-like home designed by Camerim Architects.

Maison Aux Jeurs

Switzerland

Lacroix Chessex

At first glance this home looks like a traditional Swiss chalet, but was built in a V-shape to provide its harpist owner with the same magnificent views as those from the living room.

Villa Am See

Switzerland

Ungertreina

The view from this Swiss property was the reason it was built. Therefore glass plays a vita role in revealing the vistas. A vast floor to ceiling window spans the entire length of the living room giving unrestricted views of the mountains and lakes. It was also built for another purpose – it houses the owner’s collection of six classic Porsche motors.

Glass House for a Diver

Japan

Naf Architect & Design

This house is protected by a series of brutal-looking concrete blocks, but behind the fortress-like walls lies “a diamond in the rough” made almost entirely made of glass. It was built by architect Tetsuya Nakazono for a Mr Haragami in Etajima, on an island in Hiroshima Bay. The blocks were cast with grooves to enable the installation of reinforced steel to make them even stronger in this earthquake zone. The seemingly fragile glass house is thus protected against the worst that Mother Nature can throw at it.

Optical Glass House

Japen

Japan Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP

Located on a busy road in the city of Hiroshima, but providing an oasis of calm behind glass bricks and overlooking a garden courtyard full of beautiful trees that give the illusion that you're having a glimpse of the edge of a forest. At the front, the Optical Glass House allows residents to see the busy, noisy world go by, but not hear it - something that would be an ideal solution for many city dwellers.