Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP have designed the Optical Glass House in Hiroshima, Japan. The lot is very close to a busy road and major intersection in the buslting city of hiroshima, with a constant sound-scape of revving engines and screeching trams. The architects wanted to create a private oasis where residents could still make out the movements of people and traffic beyond the walls. To obtain privacy and tranquility in these surroundings, we placed a garden and optical glass façade on the street side of the house. The garden is visible from all rooms. 6,000 pure-glass blocks was employed and with their large mass-per-unit area, effectively shut out sound and enable the creation of an open, clearly articulated garden that admits the city scenery. Te total construction of the optical wall weighs 13 tons and gives the effect of a waterfall refracting views and light.
