Assorted glass blocks give varying levels of translucency to the facade of this showroom and storage facility for an antiques dealer in Osaka, Japan (+ slideshow).
Developed by local architect Jun Murata, the Diamant Glass Art Gallery accommodates all of the organization operations of the consumer and also gives him with a tiny apartment. It replaces yet another premises he had elsewhere in the city.
“He requested me to style some storage room wider than just before, a small exhibition space, and a comfy space for staying and doing work,” explained Murata.
The architect renovated an existing building near the Yamato River in one particular of the city’s residential regions. His most noticeable intervention is the new facade – two window walls developed employing various sorts of glass block.
Some of the blocks are much more transparent than others, and their varying textures contain stippled, undulating and ridged.
Related story: Masato Sekiya wraps a glass corridor all around an workplace block in Japan
The outcome is a surface that presents a mixture of tones and colors, whatever the time of day.
“The a variety of glass blocks are organized by a particular design rule,” stated Murata. “Lights and shadows coloured vividly are brought to the straightforward interior room.”
A tall door gives an entrance to the creating, top by way of to a modest L-shaped reception region that functions as a gallery. A recess in the wall provides a show location with a mirror behind.
“Indirect light illuminates the interior in the evening, and a beautiful expression seems in the twilight and produces a scene like the crystal of glass,” extra the architect.
1 tiny office is located on this floor. Yet another can be discovered on the level above, with sufficient area for 3 personnel, alongside a safe storage facility the place antiques can be stored risk-free.
The uppermost floor serves as the pied-à-terre, accommodating a bedroom, a study and a washroom.
Glass blocks are often utilised by architects to create walls with various light effects. Other recent examples contain a metro station in Germany and a tree-filled property in Japan.
Photography is by the architect.
Ground floor prepare – click for greater image 
Initial floor program – click for greater image 
2nd floor program – click for greater image 
Area – click for bigger image 
