The Building: Maison de Verre "House of Glass"

Photograph by Todd Eberle
Source: The WSJ

"It relates to my interest in originality. Things that are original have personality and a sense of accrued time that you can see for yourself"  -Robert Rubin, to The WSJ

Photograph by Todd Eberle
Source: The WSJ

The design was to emphasize three components of architecture during that time:  honesty of materials, transparency of forms and the use of "industrial" materials and fixtures throughout the house while using traditional style of decor.

Built between 1928 - 1932, Paris' Glass House is a design of early modern architecture.  The main materials used? Duh, glass!  Glass panels, glass blocks, and steel were the main culprits.

It was built in collaboration with Pierre Chareau, Bernard Bijvoet and Louis Dalbet for the then renowned physician: Dr. Jean Dalsace (Brigitte Bardot was one of his patient).

Photograph by Todd Eberle.
The main living area.
Source The WSJ

Mr. Robert Rubin, owner of the Glass House since 2005, is a Wall Street commodities trader turned collector.  Growing up, his father was a serviceman who had a workshop in the basement.  Rubin used to fix up broken appliances and resold them.  His handy roots help give rise to his manic obsession with machine oriented objects, ranging from old race cars (which he collects and restore) to art and modern architectures.

Currently, the house is being restored to its original form.  He has documented everything and is currently searching for the house's original theatrical light that once lit the outside.

Photo: Todd Eberle
Electrical conduits and structural columns.
Source The WSJ

"It relates to my interest to originality.  Things that are original have personality and a sense of 

accrued time that you can see for yourself."

 - Robert Rubin (owner) to The WSJ, referring to the artful layers of the house.

Photo: Mark Lyon
The grand salon.
Source: The New York Times

Photo: Mark Lyon
Bathroom with removeable panels.
Source The New York Times

Photo: Mark Lyon
Passage over looking garden.
Source The New York Times

Photo: Mark Lyon
Staircase wrapped by series of screens.
Source Thew New York Times

Source: The WSJ & The New York Times