Lina Bo Brdi - Glass House

Lina Bo Bardi was an Italian-brazilian architect; afetr moving from Italy to Brazil in 1946, she built her first project in the country: The Glass House. During this period, her work was inspired by architects like Mies Van der Rohe and Le Corbusier; however, she incorporated some new concepts

to her designs. As she integrated the nature element to the project, she was able to stablish a more fluid relationship between interior and exterior. Also, the consideration of details, like the materiality of interiors, furniture, and an extensive art collection contributes to the “establishment of emotional relationships”[1] between people and space.

Two slab plans made of concrete and a glassed façade configure the frontal portion of the house, which is suspended from the ground by a series of slim metal columns (pillotis).  They were designed with the diameter of 17 centimeters, and painted in a light gray color. Oliveira (2006) says that over the years the structure have blended with the increasingly abundant vegetation around the house. Moreover, this covered area on the first floor is destined to a parking spot and storage area. The access to the second floor is made by an opened staircase.

The front portion of the plan accommodates the dining room, living spaces and a library. An internal patio was placed in the living area allowing extra daylight and ventilation on the center of the plan. Bardi strategically placed a tree in this internal patio, envisioning its growth through the years.

The second portion of the plan was built differently from the front part. Based on the ground, this portion was constructed utilizing Brazilian vernacular techniques and materials, being much more closed and restricted. The tension between the two parts is clearly noticed, establishing the limits between open and enclosed areas. Private spaces like bedrooms are visually and physically separated from the front portion by access corridor.  The kitchen is the connector between this section and a third one, designated to servant’s commons areas and bedrooms.

Regarding thermal comfort, Lina took advantage of the southeastern orientation to place the translucent façade. As a solution to resolve over exposure to solar heat and light, Bardi designed a series of curtains, for the frontal section of the building. It was an alternative that she envisioned in alternative to the use of brise-solei, shading devices that were typical on the Le Corbusier projects. Oliveira (2006) says that the connection between nature and the interior “would have been unthinkable if Lina had used brises solei (…).  In reality the vegetation which has grown up around the house over the years ensures that it is shaded.”[2]

Another interesting feature of the house is the collection of rainwater. The water is channeled to the side facades and goes right to an oval basin, containing fish and aquatic plans.

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[1] Oliveira, Olivia de, Lina Bo Bardi, and Mark N. Gimson. 2006. Subtle substances: the architecture of Lina Bo Bardi. São Paulo: Romano Guerrra (P45)

[2] Oliveira, Olivia de, Lina Bo Bardi, and Mark N. Gimson. 2006. Subtle substances: the architecture of Lina Bo Bardi. São Paulo: Romano Guerrra (P 65)