Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

 

Yo, yo, yo! Happy New Year, dearest readers. Mama yellowtrace is baaaack! Did you have a nice break (if you had one)? Did you enjoy our last year’s archives? Hope so! Anyway, enough chit-chat, let’s get down to business.

I wanted to kick off this year with a bang and talk about an incredibly beautiful project that literally stopped me in my tacks. The Optical Glass House was designed by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP and it was completed in March 2012. Located on a busy residential street in downtown Hiroshima in Japan, the house features a glittering facade of suspended glass blocks that creates privacy and tranquility on the bustling urban street filled with cars and trams.

 

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

 

The house presents itself to the street with a dynamic 8.6 x 8.6m facade consisting of 6,000 pure glass blocks that reveal and conceal in equal amounts. The facade is designed to provide soundproofing from the outside world, and at he same time allow abundance of natural light into the immediately adjacent interior garden which acts as a transition between the exterior and interior.

 

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

 

Watch this video which captures the experience of being inside this house much better than any still image ever could. It’s absolutely glorious.

 

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.

Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // Hiroshima, Japan.


[Photograph by Nacasa & Partners, courtesy of Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP.]



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

2 Responses

  1. Sighted in the City… « cabbagerose

    […] …Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP is in the midst of the busy city of Hiroshima, Japan…privacy and tranquility are provided by the glistening facade of suspended glass blocks…an oasis in the heart of urban hustle and bustle.  If you have time, please view the video…exterior and interior…perfection. […]

    Reply
  2. Stories on Design: Outdoor Rooms | Yellowtrace

    […] Optical Glass House by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP, Hiroshima, Japan // Completed in 2012, The Optical Glass House is located on a busy residential street in downtown Hiroshima. The house features a glittering facade of suspended glass blocks that creates privacy and tranquility on the bustling urban street filled with cars and trams. The house presents itself to the street with a dynamic 8.6 x 8.6m facade consisting of 6,000 pure glass blocks that reveal and conceal in equal amounts. The facade is designed to provide soundproofing from the outside world, and at he same time allow abundance of natural light into the immediately adjacent interior garden, which acts as a transition between the exterior and interior. […]

    Reply

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