SEE-THROUGH CITY
“The
use of glass does compel us to go new ways.” -Mies van der Rohe
Transparency is a key quality of glass among
numerous characteristics. The advent of glass had a great influence on modern
architecture; the transparent feature allows the building to be seen through with
clarity, which means that the building is free of deceit. Buildings in the past
were indigestible for which the public had difficulties in
comprehension. The mysterious and cryptic aspect of the building overwhelmed
the public. Meanwhile, a glass building provides guileless access to the whole
area. Glass suggested a new concept of architecture in the modern era in associating
with the modern ethos in architecture: openness and limpidity.
In that sense, the glass could be chosen as the material best suited to satisfy claims of
democracy. We suggest expanding this value to urban scale so that the city reveals its incredible fabric underneath the opaque layers such as concrete.
One is able to go through dynamic urban scenery on the ground as well as a vigorous underground landscape at the same time. These three-dimentional images enriches the urban life allowing new ways to see the city.
