Summary
- Delmulle Delmulle Architecten’s Glass Brick House features an inverted layout to optimize a compact urban plot
- Its double façade layout, transitioning from terracotta to glass bricks
- Sustainable interiors use white-stained CLT and terracotta floors, crowned by a rooftop terrace
The Glass Brick House in Waterwijk in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a striking example of contemporary architecture in dialogue with its historic surroundings. Designed by Belgian firm Delmulle Delmulle Architecten, the three-storey residence sits on a compact, fully enclosed plot and responds to its spatial limitations with an “inverted” layout — placing bedrooms below and living areas above. This vertical arrangement is echoed in the façade, which shifts from earthy terracotta tiles at the base to luminous glass bricks on the upper levels, drawing in natural light while preserving privacy.
A key innovation of the design is its double façade system, which enhances both energy efficiency and everyday comfort. By combining translucent glass bricks with full-height glazing, the structure optimizes daylight penetration without compromising thermal insulation or seclusion — an essential consideration in such a confined footprint. Subtle architectural gestures, like patterned brickwork and traditional window moldings, reference a nearby stepped-gable house dating to 1707, anchoring the bold intervention within Waterwijk’s layered urban context. The approach reflects the studio’s signature balance of expressive design and sensitive infill strategy.
Inside, the house continues its material restraint and structural clarity. The interior is crafted entirely from cross-laminated timber (CLT), with white-stained wood surfaces and natural terracotta flooring creating a warm, minimalist environment. This palette mirrors the exterior’s visual rhythm, reinforcing continuity between interior and exterior. Above, a rooftop terrace offers an elevated retreat, reinforcing the home’s quiet defiance of spatial constraint through vertical living and soft transparency.
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