Glass House
Philip Johnson · New Canaan, United States · 1949
The Glass House, completed in 1949, is a seminal work of modernist architecture and a prime example of the International Style in the United States. Designed by Philip Johnson as his own residence, the house is celebrated for its radical transparency, achieved through 18-foot-wide glass panels set in a steel frame. Its minimalist form and open plan challenge traditional notions of enclosure and privacy. Sited on a landscaped estate in New Canaan, Connecticut, the house integrates seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The interior is largely undivided, containing a circular brick cylinder that encloses the bathroom. This structure, along with minimal furnishings, serves to define spaces within the otherwise open volume, reflecting Johnson's exploration of perception and the relationship between architecture and nature.