MVRDV replaces Chanel store's traditional facade with glass bricks

This movie shows the method behind MVRDV's pioneering glass technology that replaces the brick facade of a former townhouse in Amsterdam with a transparent replica, more suited to the building's new use as a Chanel boutique.
Described by the Rotterdam studio as the first of its kind, the innovative facade of Crystal Houses Amsterdam uses glass bricks, windows frames and architraves to recreate the city's traditional architectural style.
The glass bricks are held in place with a transparent high-strength glue. According to MVRDV, the construction is "in many ways, stronger than concrete", as was proven during the testing process.
Towards the upper storeys, the glass elements merge with the original terracotta brickwork to create the illusion of a dissolving wall.
The architects believe the technology offers a solution to the loss of local character in city centres around the world, many of which are now dominated by plain glass shopfronts.
"We said to the client, 'Let's bring back what will be demolished but develop it further'," said Winy Maas, one of the three co-founders of MVRDV.
Crystal Houses the movie was created by Robert Jan Westdijk for Warenar with the help of people and companies involved in creating Crystal Houses.
Read more on Dezeen: www.dezeen.com/?p=887616
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[@heroired3973]

The final result is amazing!

[@ralevdotcom]

Great idea and realisation! Looks stunning.

[@ImNotPotus]

A pigeons wet dream!!!!!

[@mohammedsaleh5990]

Wooow.
It's amazing

[@ivpt]

So they just demolished a historic building?

[@garycurtis7674]

Thats revolving.

[@Evphil]

Details for the background music please?

[@GuapLord5000]

It's. Been. 3. Years. GIVE PHIL HIS DETAILS!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sammyflorczak8800]

So they destroyed an old building and replaced it with a modern clone?

[@paulsehstedt6275]

Yes, that's the way to incorporate modern architecture into boring old city centres. Many old buildings in AMS aren't worth to preserve or too expensive to restore.

[@r.a.h7682]

@@paulsehstedt6275 boring? so ironic because modern architecture lags any details making it very boring.

[@paulsehstedt6275]

@@r.a.h7682 yes, too much of a nice thing can become boring, too.

[@sureshchatriya1848]

Are glass bricks stronger than concrete ones ❓I think powerful telescope lenses are made of glass through which we could explore our universe. Bullet proofs for cars are glass. We can't spend a day without looking a mirror atleast once. ❤❤❤

[@Chavezoid]

Nice... but....did they destroy a historic house to do that?

[@Zoza15]

If that´s what your worried about then dont be surprised if you one day visit the Netherlands that most of the architecture here becomes rather modernized and improved..
The Netherlands in the last years have been modernizing in its own fashion by colorful compact houses with different unique shapes..
Because most of these older buildings simply wears out too and have to be demolished for new houses with the basic shapes of the older designs but improved and innovated..

[@goatontheroad7692]

I mean, compared to the simplicity of brutralism and cubism in architecture today, this actually looks and feels nicer

[@RokuRG]

Nova Verse Thats just not true... Most historical buildings are protected and can only be restored in a specific way. Unfortunately, sometimes people make shitty decisions and they let companies destroy perfectly good building, like in this video. But thats not a norm

[@richardprice5978]

@@RokuRG still like the glass facade ideas, wonder if 1840-80's victorians with a big pocketbook would have done something like this in the period or not? aka historically correct? love pre-1920 architecture for the most part and if i get the chance im buying one and or cloning it with 2022 technology/convenience's

[@richardprice5978]

@@RokuRG i know that in 1500-1800 uk 🇬🇧 or anywhere else besides maybe Venice Italy 🇮🇹 glass was $$$ and or impossible to buy and the knowledge was kept to the king's men/government so Venice or maybe middle eastern country's were the only known manufacturer's of glass but by 1890-ish most 1st world countries made glass and cheap enough to buy for every-man housing and by 1970's some houses had windows for every wall plus the roof.
the 1500-expense is why i don't think it was used as a building materials but by 1790-up maybe? as it got cheap and easy to get

[@cherrycoke8658]

shame

[@RokuRG]

Yay, you just destroyed a historical building and replaced it with something that wont last 30 year.

[@keethkeith1989]

you have no idea how long glass lasts

[@wintertyme]

Very dramatic and dumb at the same time.