Translucency (An Architect's Guide)

“Light is to architecture what sound is to music.” (Steven Holl) At the two ends of the spectrum of light control and transmission stand transparency and opacity. Translucency inhabits the broad middle ground between those two.
The word “translucent” is derived from the Latin “trans“ ("through") and “lucere“ ("to shine"). Translucent surfaces permit the passage of light while visually obscuring what’s behind it. Historical examples of the use of translucency in architecture abound: the poetic sliced alabaster window above the main altar in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the shoji (screens) at the Katsura Villa in Kyoto, the stained glass rose windows at the great Chartres Cathedral in France. And there are countless others.
Translucency promotes ambiguity, a sense of mystery and a complexity that allows for multiple understandings of what a space can be. In the video I review examples which illustrate the power of this ambiguity as well as the practical things you need to know when employing translucent materials in your project.
Additionally I cover:
- What impacts the color of glass
- Walls, floors, stairs
- Material properties and options
- Using transparency to imbue a design with meaning (be sure to catch the last project in the video)
Architects in the video:
Steven Holl Architects
Steven Miller Design Studio
Studio Carver Architects, Inc.
Jim Jennings Architecture
Griffin Enright Architects
DeForest Architects
ALTUS Architecture and Design
Ike Kligerman Barkley
Kengo Kuma
Intexture Architects
Schwartz and Architecture
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Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
• Making a Site Model - ...
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[@stevepenn5981]

Watching and listening to you honestly teaches me lots of things every single time and am happy you took the time to do this for us all. Thank you again...

[@MaZEEZaM]

My first thought was "I don't like translucent screens or even worse bricks" but you have shown me variations on "translucency" can be really nice :D

[@ANATOLI4i]

thank you, very elaborate analysis with fine selection of architectural images

[@potatopotatoeOG]

Thank you Thank you for this video. I really love what you can do with Translucency..great breakdown of this eclectic material

[@qutaibaalshaheen4939]

Many thanks ... As usual very informative video

[@mjr1436]

Great video, this really helps me with my current project!

[@Dhmnh91]

The video I've been waiting for

[@mAbdlshafy]

Rich info, thanks a lots...

[@fabroc8]

Great video as usual!

[@adechoubounoel1753]

Great video! What's the name of the house with the free standing translucent screens?

[@30by40]

Intexure Architects did that one...cheers...

[@aubreyd.c.m.7986]

I learned so much from this, Thank you! But its wierded me out that some of the designs appeared in my dreams months months ago...It is my first time watching this so....dafuq? 4:25 and 6:00

[@stevepenn5981]

Watching and listening to you honestly teaches me lots of things every single time and am happy you took the time to do this for us all. Thank you again...