Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Glass Bubble

This surreal glass dome resides in Malmö, Sweden overlooking the exposed harbour.  It was designed by Monika Gora and installed in 2006. The term given to this unique shape is 'soft spherical' and the location and space available determined the size and shape of this structure. 

'The only thing that seperates the inside from the outside is a partition wall made of thin glass.  The function of the glass is like a membrane.  The inside becomes a bubble filled with warmth and life.  Full of light and space, protected and quiet.' claims Gora.  The structure lets in the maximum amount of light because it is made of flat crystal clear low-iron glass.

The inside of the conservatory has a climate similar to the Mediterranean and the structure houses tree ferns, camellias, citrus and magnolia trees.  The floor consists of Norwegian slate (Otta Högseter) which alters from different shades of rust orange to green black due to iron content.  The same pavers spill out onto the courtyard outside the glass bubble.  The buildings on either side of this glass bubble are very angular residential properties which creates a very striking contrast for this unique shape.  

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