Glass bricks and blocks are making a remarkable comeback in contemporary architecture, transforming buildings into luminous sculptures while offering both privacy and natural light optimization. From a shimmering residence in Japan to a greenhouse in Chile, architects worldwide are rediscovering the versatility and beauty of this construction material that first gained popularity in the 1930s.
These hollow bricks have experienced fluctuating popularity over the past century, appearing in various architectural forms including facades, windows, interior partitions, and screens. The eight exceptional buildings featured below demonstrate how glass bricks are regaining prominence as architects seek innovative ways to maximize natural light while maintaining privacy levels.
Glass-block walls create dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the day, and at night, they transform entire buildings into ethereal, lantern-like structures that glow from within.
**Optical Glass House, Japan by Hiroshi Nakamura**
In Hiroshima, architect Hiroshi Nakamura created a stunning residence featuring a shimmering glass-brick facade designed to address privacy concerns on a busy road. The two-story wall incorporates approximately 6,000 custom-made blocks that allow filtered glimpses of life on both sides while casting dancing light patterns onto a tree-filled courtyard positioned directly behind the structure. This innovative design solution demonstrates how glass bricks can serve both functional and aesthetic purposes in urban residential architecture.
**Brest Post Office Renovation, France by Chatillon Architectes**
French studio Chatillon Architectes incorporated glass bricks into their renovation of a 1950s post office in Brittany, successfully converting the building into modern residential apartments. The glass bricks add a contemporary quality to the historic structure while being thoughtfully paired with concrete details and wooden loggias. This project showcases how glass blocks can bridge historical and modern architectural elements in adaptive reuse projects.
**Casa de Vidrio, Chile by Max Núñez Arquitectos**
Max Núñez Arquitectos designed an innovative greenhouse featuring square glass blocks forming a pair of distinctive vaulted roofs in a private Chilean garden. The architects specifically chose these blocks for their light-refracting properties, which create an optimal warm environment for tropical plants while preventing harsh direct sunlight from damaging the vegetation. This project demonstrates the practical applications of glass blocks in specialized agricultural architecture.
**Glass Brick House, Belgium by Delmulle Delmulle Architecten**
Facing the challenge of a constrained urban site in Ghent, Delmulle Delmulle Architecten utilized a glistening glass-brick facade to maximize natural light in their three-story residential design. Studio founder Seger Delmulle explained to Dezeen: "The house is situated on a very challenging plot – extremely small and completely enclosed on all sides. The main challenge was to make the most of the minimal available space and natural light." The glass-brick solution effectively addresses the limitation of reduced window opportunities on the narrow terraced street.
**The Glass Fortress, Thailand by Archismith**
Bangkok-based studio Archismith created The Glass Fortress, a plant-filled entrance pavilion for a sales office featuring an impressive facade composed of 20,000 rectangular glass bricks. The architects selected glass bricks specifically to "reduce the claustrophobic feeling of the space," which features eight-meter-high walls designed to block traffic noise and screen unsightly surrounding construction work. This project illustrates how glass blocks can create openness while providing necessary acoustic and visual barriers.
**Crystal Houses, Netherlands by MVRDV**
MVRDV's groundbreaking 2016 project created a partially transparent facade using hundreds of glass bricks bonded with transparent high-strength adhesive. Originally housing a Chanel boutique and now home to Hermès, the building features glittering bricks that seamlessly merge with existing terracotta brickwork, creating the illusion of a dissolving wall. The innovative design includes glass window frames and architraves, offering an alternative to conventional plain glass storefronts while maintaining the building's historic character.
**Maryland House, UK by Remi Connolly-Taylor**
Architect Remi Connolly-Taylor's self-designed home and studio features a dramatic red staircase enclosed within a tower of square glass blocks. Connolly-Taylor describes this element as "a spine to the house," designed to maximize natural light while maintaining privacy and ensuring adequate light standards for neighboring properties. This residential project demonstrates how glass blocks can create striking interior architectural features.
**Glass-Block Micro House, Vietnam by ROOM Design Build**
In Ho Chi Minh City, ROOM Design Build renovated a compact house and shop by replacing two street-facing walls with translucent glass blocks, dramatically enlivening the building's appearance. The studio noted that when interior light glows through the blocks at night, "the house becomes a magically sparkling lantern in the middle of the neighborhood." This transformation showcases how glass blocks can revitalize small urban structures and create distinctive neighborhood landmarks.
These eight projects collectively demonstrate the renewed relevance of glass bricks and blocks in contemporary architecture. Whether used for privacy, light optimization, aesthetic enhancement, or environmental control, glass blocks offer architects a versatile material that bridges functional requirements with striking visual impact. The material's ability to transform buildings into luminous sculptures while addressing practical architectural challenges explains its resurgence in projects spanning residential, commercial, and specialized building types across diverse global contexts.
