Could YOU Live Like This?

[iLander]

So, I'm strolling around the net, and I stumble across the beautiful Glass House designed by Phillip Johnson. It's lovely to look at, it's completely transparent, with no actual walls. The outside is inside, etc. Lovely, right?

http://curbed.com/archives/2011/03/25/the-stunning-designs-of-starchitects-personal-residences.php#johnson-glass-house-3

But then as I look through the pictures, I realize that no way could I live like this. It's too weird to be open to any and all prying eyes. If this guy was my DH, I think at some point I would say "Honey, I love you, but I needs me some wallz".

Then it makes me think of all the stark, modern houses and interiors that I've seen. Slick, polished stone floors, slabs for coffee tables and ultra-clean but cold chairs. I don't think I could do it. I like cushy couches, fluffy chairs and warm, friendly surfaces. I'm not into fuddy stuff, but I sure am into warm and friendly.

Plus I'm not clean enough. I couldn't achieve the kind of clutter-free life these spaces demand. Where do I put grandma's hairpin bowl? My great aunt's vases, my great-great-grandmother's china? The lumpen bowls made by the kids in crafts camp. No way is any of that going to look right in these environments.

This whole train of thought makes me sad, because I LOVE looking at modern houses, they're gorgeous to me. I consider myself well-versed in modern design and architecture. But I couldn't live there.

Could you (or do you) live in an ultra-modern living space?

 

[zoebartlett]

I love how decluttered the house must be, but in reality, I couldn't live like that. I do love these pictures, but I'd be freaked out at night. I'm not a huge fan of the dark, and seeing it all around me no matter where I am would scare me too much. I think it's a cool concept though.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Absolutely! I would love to live in that house! I'd sell my VW and buy some awesome retro car, wear super awesome suits everyday and drink Gimlets everyday.

 

[zoebartlett]

At second glance, that can't be the whole house, can it? Where are the bedrooms and bathrooms?

Like you, iLander, I prefer cushy couches and warm, friendly spaces. I an appreciate that look but it's not one I'd choose for myself. But I've said that already.

 

[decodelighted]

On the PLUS side .. you never see an owner of a house like this on HOARDERS or HOARDING: Buried Alive or CLEAN HOUSE.

 

[movie zombie]

yes, absolutely. i like feeling like i'm outdoors. current house has LOTS of windows.

MoZo

 

[iheartscience]

On the PLUS side .. you never see an owner of a house like this on HOARDERS or HOARDING: Buried Alive or CLEAN HOUSE.

HA! That's it-NO GLASS HOUSES FOR ANYONE! I love those shows too much!

To answer the OP, I would live in that house in a second!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

At second glance, that can't be the whole house, can it? Where are the bedrooms and bathrooms?Like you, iLander, I prefer cushy couches and warm, friendly spaces. I an appreciate that look but it's not one I'd choose for myself. But I've said that already.

Maybe there is a secret underground floor with bathroom and bedrooms AND all the messy clutter the owner is hiding (I mean everyone has some junk - like that episode of Friends where that packed closet of the obsessively clean Monica's was found)?

Anyway, I LOVE having my windows open during the day and at night. I cannot live in a dark cave. But, I also cannot live in a place where I have to worry about being properly clothed - can't walk around in my bathrobe till noon when all can see.

What I don't like about that place is that it's so minimalized that there is no sense of personality. I would for sure get a few additional cats... now, WHERE to put all the litter boxes.

ETA - I'm now CERTAIN that house has an underground lair. An open place like that provides TOO MUCH visability that the owner for sure has something to hide!

 

[Cehrabehra]

If in the center of this house was a bedroom with no windows and a glass ceiling, yeah I could live there. Stars at night, thunderstorms in full glory, a sleep cycle governed by the phases of the moon and total privacy for doing anything private after the fishbowl effect takes over in the evenings... Plus I'd need wallspace for my paintings lol

 

[ksinger]

Not a chance. Never. No. Way. Other than the fact that it looks like a covered picnic area at a public park, that house creeps me out bunches. Maybe if it had wrap around curtains that I could pull when I wanted, and a walled, patrolled and razor-wired perimeter around the entire property, but like that? Nope.

Ultra-modern houses are great. For other people. Not for me. While on one hand I can admire their spareness, I DO too many things in my house. I cook. I make jewelry. I do needlework. I read - real BOOKS (not a bookshelf to be seen in there). I watch TV and play on computers(clearly no plugs on the outer walls). Impractical doesn't begin to describe that house. Designed no doubt, like so many "concept" things, by someone who is all theory and discounts real people and what they do in their spaces.

Now, I'm off to curl up on my warm, comfy sofa with a blanket, a few pillows, and a big fat book. With my curtains CLOSED.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Oh darn it, but on the downside I could never throw stones again lol!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Not a chance. Never. No. Way. Other than the fact that it looks like a covered picnic area at a public park, that house creeps me out bunches. Maybe if it had wrap around curtains that I could pull when I wanted, and a walled, patrolled and razor-wired perimeter around the entire property, but like that? Nope.

Ultra-modern houses are great. For other people. Not for me. While on one hand I can admire their spareness, I DO too many things in my house. I cook. I make jewelry. I do needlework. I read - real BOOKS (not a bookshelf to be seen in there). I watch TV and play on computers(clearly no plugs on the outer walls). Impractical doesn't begin to describe that house. Designed no doubt, like so many "concept" things, by someone who is all theory and discounts real people and what they do in their spaces.

Now, I'm off to curl up on my warm, comfy sofa with a blanket, a few pillows, and a big fat book. With my curtains CLOSED.

One other aspect is the heating/cooling. We had a sunroom in a house we lived in a few years back. In the winter, our power bill soared and in the summer, that room cooked.

 

[ksinger]

Hah! I suspect this is true. In the linked article there were comments below, and one person pointed out (and I bet it could be confirmed if you dug enough) that the architect did NOT live in this house....

"Johnson never "lived" in the Glass House. There's a farmhouse nearby that was an actual functioning residence. In NYC he lived for decades in a duplex on Beekman Place before moving to Museum Tower."

Now THAT sounds more like it.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Not a chance. Never. No. Way. Other than the fact that it looks like a covered picnic area at a public park, that house creeps me out bunches. Maybe if it had wrap around curtains that I could pull when I wanted, and a walled, patrolled and razor-wired perimeter around the entire property, but like that? Nope.

Ultra-modern houses are great. For other people. Not for me. While on one hand I can admire their spareness, I DO too many things in my house. I cook. I make jewelry. I do needlework. I read - real BOOKS (not a bookshelf to be seen in there). I watch TV and play on computers(clearly no plugs on the outer walls). Impractical doesn't begin to describe that house. Designed no doubt, like so many "concept" things, by someone who is all theory and discounts real people and what they do in their spaces.

Now, I'm off to curl up on my warm, comfy sofa with a blanket, a few pillows, and a big fat book. With my curtains CLOSED.

The house is part of a 47 acre estate that had many different buildings including a guest house, an underground Painting Gallery and also a sculpture gallery. Johnson actually lived there... Wiki has great info on it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_House

You wouldn't even know there was a house on the property from any public viewing area.

 

[iLander]

What I don't like about that place is that it's so minimalized that there is no sense of personality.

This is an interesting point. It is very devoid of what we call "personality", and personality is what makes us each unique. Is that why this type of living makes me (and others) feel insecure? Do we feel that living in that environment would somehow compromise our sense of self?

I've read quite a few books about architecture, but not one that Deeply addresses all the psychological issues involved. Many books touch on the psychology, but not with any depth. I think it would be an interesting read.

 

[iLander]

Not a chance. Never. No. Way. Other than the fact that it looks like a covered picnic area at a public park, that house creeps me out bunches. Maybe if it had wrap around curtains that I could pull when I wanted, and a walled, patrolled and razor-wired perimeter around the entire property, but like that? Nope.

Ultra-modern houses are great. For other people. Not for me. While on one hand I can admire their spareness, I DO too many things in my house. I cook. I make jewelry. I do needlework. I read - real BOOKS (not a bookshelf to be seen in there). I watch TV and play on computers(clearly no plugs on the outer walls). Impractical doesn't begin to describe that house. Designed no doubt, like so many "concept" things, by someone who is all theory and discounts real people and what they do in their spaces.

Now, I'm off to curl up on my warm, comfy sofa with a blanket, a few pillows, and a big fat book. With my curtains CLOSED.

The house is part of a 47 acre estate that had many different buildings including a guest house, an underground Painting Gallery and also a sculpture gallery. Johnson actually lived there... Wiki has great info on it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_House

You wouldn't even know there was a house on the property from any public viewing area.

AHA! You're right, Davi, this from Wiki:

"The kitchen, dining and sleeping areas were all in one glass-enclosed room, which Johnson initially lived in, together with the brick guest house (later the glass-walled building was only used for entertaining)."


So, Johnson tried it and he couldn't live in it either!

 

[iLander]

]
One other aspect is the heating/cooling. We had a sunroom in a house we lived in a few years back. In the winter, our power bill soared and in the summer, that room cooked.

This is so true, I've seen those little sunroom kits, and here in the deep south, we call those "people cookers".

 

[MichelleCarmen]

What I don't like about that place is that it's so minimalized that there is no sense of personality.

This is an interesting point. It is very devoid of what we call "personality", and personality is what makes us each unique. Is that why this type of living makes me (and others) feel insecure? Do we feel that living in that environment would somehow compromise our sense of self?

I've read quite a few books about architecture, but not one that Deeply addresses all the psychological issues involved. Many books touch on the psychology, but not with any depth. I think it would be an interesting read.

I haven't read much on architecture (except books on Gothic churches, etc. so I'm not sure about the psychology, but I DO like looking around friends' house decor and seeing a bit of WHO they are and if a house is that simple, I would think either that person is very dull OR has tried to seperate his/her personality from who he/she truely is.

Interestly enough, I do see many homes which are totally decorated and they ALL look the same! Whether a house is minimalist or overdecorated, it take A LOT of creativity to demonstrate individuality.

 

[iLander]

@MC: I agree; I've seen houses that are decorated in up to the minute accessories and have no real personality. I know a woman whose husband is a builder and her job is to decorate each of their homes with an eye toward selling them every few years, on spec. They live in it just long enough to qualify it as their homestead, then they sell it to make the max profit and least taxes. Her house is always "done up" but I never could figure out who she IS, based on this weird decor.

 

[iLander]

yes, absolutely. i like feeling like i'm outdoors. current house has LOTS of windows.

MoZo

I have a ton of windows too, but sometimes it makes me uncomfortable. I don't like feeling like I'm outdoors when it's storming or dreary, then I just want to be in a little cottage with thick walls and tiny windows . . .

This house is the most open of all my spaces, and sometimes I pine for my last one, which felt more protected.

 

[stci]

I'm more antique in matter of houses but Mom and Dad built a modern house like this one for their retreat. No walls but the front was in front of a lake and there are no neighbors around. All windows had curtains for intimity. When Dad passed away, I lived in this house for 2 years and I have to say this was fantastic. A feeling of freedom, living in nature and peace.

I never regretted those years but when I built my house, I chose an antique style and less open. I like it too!

 

[iheartscience]

@MC: I agree; I've seen houses that are decorated in up to the minute accessories and have no real personality. I know a woman whose husband is a builder and her job is to decorate each of their homes with an eye toward selling them every few years, on spec. They live in it just long enough to qualify it as their homestead, then they sell it to make the max profit and least taxes. Her house is always "done up" but I never could figure out who she IS, based on this weird decor.

Ditto you and MC! I went to someone's house recently and it was "decorated" but completely devoid of personality. Everything hung on the wall was a mass-produced print/photo/etc., everything was completely neutral and everything matched PERFECTLY. It was kind of awful, to be honest.

 

[ksinger]

Humans have an innate need for security, and a bit of privacy, and clearly (har) a glass house is not going to provide that. Certain proportions (too large, too high ceilings etc) also make people uncomfortable and exposed when it comes to living spaces. And ask anyone in an open concept office, how uncomfortable THAT can be.

Practicality aside, there are reasons people don't choose 25 foot ceilings, or all glass walls, as a rule. I don't think that is just custom, I think it's kind of how we're wired, all the way back to when we lived in caves with a view. I think houses like that glass house are much more of an affectation than any traditional house, and don't jive with most people's emotional needs at all. Even the furniture in ultra-modern houses (at least the ones I see in magazines) screams discomfort and emotional disconnect to me. All angles, tight upholstery, metal. It's almost like those spaces broadcast a hatred of the physical, and try to be totally cerebral. Too cold for me, that's for sure. Brrrr!

 

[iheartscience]

I don't know ksinger-my apartment has 25 or 30 foot ceilings and I love it. Plus it has huge windows, which I also love. I think it probably just depends on the person.

My parents recently custom built a gorgeous house with huge windows all along the back side that faces a river. It's gorgeous and I'd live there in a second, too.

 

[Haven]

I love a lot of windows but I don't think I could really live in a home with only glass walls. I love our wall of windows in the main area of the house, but I also like to cocoon up in my small, enclosed spare bedroom when I really need to get down and be productive.

 

[iLander]

Humans have an innate need for security, and a bit of privacy, and clearly (har) a glass house is not going to provide that. Certain proportions (too large, too high ceilings etc) also make people uncomfortable and exposed when it comes to living spaces. And ask anyone in an open concept office, how uncomfortable THAT can be.

Practicality aside, there are reasons people don't choose 25 foot ceilings, or all glass walls, as a rule. I don't think that is just custom, I think it's kind of how we're wired, all the way back to when we lived in caves with a view. I think houses like that glass house are much more of an affectation than any traditional house, and don't jive with most people's emotional needs at all. Even the furniture in ultra-modern houses (at least the ones I see in magazines) screams discomfort and emotional disconnect to me. All angles, tight upholstery, metal. It's almost like those spaces broadcast a hatred of the physical, and try to be totally cerebral. Too cold for me, that's for sure. Brrrr!

I have a book called "A Pattern Language" that expounds at length on exactly this. It explores architecture and our reactions to it, based on psychology and our biology. The concept of a well-mowed lawn, for instance, harkens back to the days when tall grass could be hiding predators that would eat us.

Your point about caves brought the book to mind; when all the book's analysis was done, our optimal structure was a type of cave. The walls should be tall, but curve slightly inward at the top to make us feel sheltered and safe. The structure of the house should center around a main central room, with different alcoves that serve different functions. Thus, the great room with kitchen. The walls should somehow be flexible and changeable, so that we can dig out a section for a bookcase or niche. It goes on, but you get the idea.

I think, for all our intellectual hubris and civilized constructs, we're all just prisoners of our biology.

 

[VapidLapid]

I could not live like that

I live like this

 

[stci]

Wahoooooo VL! Send me one please! This pic tell exactly how you think!

 

[iLander]

I could not live like that

I live like this

PIE!!!!

 

[ksinger]

I don't know ksinger-my apartment has 25 or 30 foot ceilings and I love it. Plus it has huge windows, which I also love. I think it probably just depends on the person.

My parents recently custom built a gorgeous house with huge windows all along the back side that faces a river. It's gorgeous and I'd live there in a second, too.

I'm curious though, if your apartment was originally built to be a residence?

I'm not saying that people can't live anywhere - obviously they do, and sometimes they even find they can and do like it. I'm also not advocating we all live in dark caves. I'm just saying that there are proportions - within a range of course - that seem to be more suited to everyday human living scale, not to mention pure practicality. English cottages, Italian country houses, ranch styles, colonials - tall ceilings or low, large rooms or small, they all seem scaled within a certain comfort range. The public rooms are larger with higher ceilings generally, and the private rooms usually ARE smaller and more "cozy".

You can't count castles and cathedrals or other public or purpose type spaces of course.

I still think a glass house is weird, and has a weird vibe AND aesthetic behind it. Call me old-fashioned, but there I am. Not only do I want privacy and coziness, I'm certain I'm not interesting enough that the world needs to have me on display. The psychology and world-view that could have been behind that house, could be discussed ad nauseum.