Architecture

Shimmering sustainable home on the lake uses glass to give residents a floating sensation

Shimmering sustainable home on the lake uses glass to give residents a floating sensation
As the name might suggest, the Glass Villa on the lake is big on transparency
As the name might suggest, the Glass Villa on the lake is big on transparency
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Mecanoo, the Dutch Architecture firm behind the world’s largest performing arts center and the award-winning Library of Birmingham, has added the finishing touches to a stunning new home in Lechlade, UK
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Mecanoo, the Dutch Architecture firm behind the world’s largest performing arts center and the award-winning Library of Birmingham, has added the finishing touches to a stunning new home in Lechlade, UK
Staircase inside the Glass Villa on the lake, by Mecanoo
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Staircase inside the Glass Villa on the lake, by Mecanoo
The Glass Villa on the lake is connected to a main road with a wooden footbridge
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The Glass Villa on the lake is connected to a main road with a wooden footbridge
Staircase inside the Glass Villa on the lake, by Mecanoo
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Staircase inside the Glass Villa on the lake, by Mecanoo
Wooden bridge connecting the Glass Villa on the lake to the street
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Wooden bridge connecting the Glass Villa on the lake to the street
Sustainable elements of the Glass Villa on the lake include an air thermal heat pump, solar panels, heat recovery systems and triple-glazed glass
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Sustainable elements of the Glass Villa on the lake include an air thermal heat pump, solar panels, heat recovery systems and triple-glazed glass
Every room in the Glass Villa on the lake is designed to connect the interior with nature through high ceilings and two glass walls
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Every room in the Glass Villa on the lake is designed to connect the interior with nature through high ceilings and two glass walls
The Glass Villa on the lake is designed to leave residents with the impression of floating on the water
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The Glass Villa on the lake is designed to leave residents with the impression of floating on the water
As the name might suggest, the Glass Villa on the lake is big on transparency
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As the name might suggest, the Glass Villa on the lake is big on transparency
Sustainable elements of the Glass Villa on the lake include an air thermal heat pump, solar panels, heat recovery systems and triple glazed glass
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Sustainable elements of the Glass Villa on the lake include an air thermal heat pump, solar panels, heat recovery systems and triple glazed glass
Living area inside the Glass Villa on the lake
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Living area inside the Glass Villa on the lake
Mecanoo says energy consumption in its Glass Villa on the lake is “very low"
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Mecanoo says energy consumption in its Glass Villa on the lake is “very low"
Bathroom inside the Glass VIlla on the lake, by Mecanoo
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Bathroom inside the Glass VIlla on the lake, by Mecanoo
Open-plan living inside the Glass Villa on the lake
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Open-plan living inside the Glass Villa on the lake
Glass Villa on the lake is a stunning home on the water in Lechlade, UK
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Glass Villa on the lake is a stunning home on the water in Lechlade, UK
The Glass Villa on the lake is connected to a main road with a wooden footbridge
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The Glass Villa on the lake is connected to a main road with a wooden footbridge
View gallery - 16 images

Mecanoo, the Dutch architecture firm behind the world's largest performing arts center and the award-winning Library of Birmingham, has added the finishing touches to a stunning new home in Lechlade, UK. As the name might suggest, the Glass Villa on the lake is big on transparency, with its walls largely consisting of panes of glass designed to leave residents with the impression of floating on the water.

The two-story home is built out over the lake and separated from the adjacent plot and street by a skinny finger of land covered in tall trees, which block out lights from the road and creates a sense of privacy. The huge glass windows offer uninterrupted views of this "green oasis," as the firm describes it, and this theme continues right around the perimeter to create panoramic views out over the lake.

The Glass Villa on the lake is connected to a main road with a wooden footbridge
The Glass Villa on the lake is connected to a main road with a wooden footbridge

This transparent shell also makes for a well-lit interior, aided further by a central atrium that both illuminates the sunken basement and connects the inside to a rooftop terrace via a central staircase. The surroundings can be enjoyed from that rooftop decking, along with a lower two-level terrace jutting out over the water.

Every room in the house is designed to connect the interior with nature through high ceilings and glass walls, while the open-plan living areas with minimal walls are also intended to the bring that scenery indoors.

The Glass Villa on the lake is designed to leave residents with the impression of floating on the water
The Glass Villa on the lake is designed to leave residents with the impression of floating on the water

Materials used throughout include dark wood and metals contrasted with bright white walls, ceilings and doors. Elements of the exterior facade that aren't made from glass consist of timber charred through the Japanese technique known as Sugi Ban, offering fire resistance and a long-lasting finish without the use of chemical preservatives and paints.

Sustainable elements include an air thermal heat pump, solar panels, heat recovery systems and triple glazed glass, which Mecanoo says makes for an energy consumption that is "very low."

To see more of the Glass Villa on the lake, check out our gallery.

Source: Mecanoo

View gallery - 16 images
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