How to Clean a Glass Sphere Façade

Now, there’s no hiding, I love South-American architecture. It’s a wonderful mix of traditional indigenous concepts and the sudden urban expanse of the 50s. You don’t get that anywhere in Europe.

That’s why there’s so much to draw inspiration from in the big cities of America. Mexico City in particular – known for its smog as well as for its unique architecture.

This house whose façade is enhanced with hefty glass spheres should be one of my favourites.

The glass building is located on a small street in a busy residential zone where it is now one of the most important sightseeings.

The aim of the project was to create a residential block dissolving the busy vibrations of its urban setting into a modern serenity.

The building accommodates 13 apartments in two blocks, one located at the front of the lot and the other at the rear. The two blocks are connected at each level by an area featuring the wonderful glass spheres.

In choice of building materials made by Hierve-Diseneria architects is very simple – exposed concrete for the outer shell, warm wood for the interiors (the interiors of the flats were left as untouched as possible to let the owners put their own stamp on their living spaces) and green glass beads with matching semi-transparent epoxy flooring.

It took 7,700 glass spheres to finish the façade. All made by hand by craftsmen of Guadalajara.

Each sphere is kept in place seated on a disk of EPDM rubber. It is usually seen in automotive industry but it’s not the first time car stuff is making its way into architecture and vice versa. As revealed by the architect company, the inhabitants love their glass walls, except when they have to be cleaned – is is a challenge… but well worth the effort. This building is amazing!