Glass bricks have been widely used in architecture, eventually becoming a staple of the 1980s architectural styles. Some examples of construction with this material could be the classic "Maison de Verre" by Pierre Chareau and Bernard Bijvoet in Paris or the more modern take of Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP with the Optical Glasshouse in Japan. In recent years, glass bricks are becoming increasingly popular, no longer relegated to older aesthetics. Instead, they have evolved into versatile design elements that bring light, texture, and character into contemporary interiors. Their ability to diffuse natural and artificial light while maintaining privacy has reignited interest among designers seeking innovative ways to enhance indoor spaces while taking advantage of natural light.
Interestingly, Glass bricks have actually been around for longer than most people would expect, over a century to be precise. Originally created by the Swiss architect Gustave Falconnier in 1886, these original "briques de verre" were blown into a mold and had a hollow center with an open hole at the end. During the World's Columbian Exposition of Chicago in 1893, the product was presented to a world stage for the first time. However, it didn't really take hold until 1933, during the Chicago Century of Progress Exposition, where the Owens-Illinois Glass Company built a temporary structure using glass bricks to promote the product.
