Origin: Emerged in mid-20th-century modern architecture, famed through glass houses in Europe and America.
The glass house uses large glass walls as the main enclosure, bringing abundant daylight and full views of the landscape. Its structure is slender and refined, with tempered or insulated glass in steel or aluminium frames.
In Vietnam the big challenges are heat and privacy. Use low-e insulated glass or solar film, overhangs and louvres, curtains or planting to block west afternoon sun. In windy humid coastal regions calculate wind loads on the glass, use laminated tempered glass, strong frames and tight seals. Humid nồm weather causes condensation on glass, so ventilation and air-conditioning must be planned.
