Glass and nature in dialogue: The Mischke-Götzinger House in Berlin

Glass opens up spaces, creates transparency and connects architecture with its surroundings. At the Mischke-Götzinger House and the ZK/U – Centre for Art and Urbanistics in Berlin, architect Peter Grundmann showcases the versatility and sustainability of this material.

The use of glass in architecture creates a special connection between a building and its surroundings. A striking example is the Mischke-Götzinger House in Berlin, which is sensitively integrated into its natural setting. Its expansive glass facades make the building appear to merge with the trees.

We spoke to architect Peter Grundmann about the many ways glass can be used in architecture – and its overall significance as a material.

How did your architectural approach to working with glass differ between a nature-oriented project like the Mischke-Götzinger House and an urban project like the ZK/U?

Peter Grundmann: In the Mischke-Götzinger house, which stands in a natural setting, glass was used primarily to make the boundary between inside and outside as permeable as possible. This opens up the view of the landscape, brings daylight deep into the house, and makes the seasons palpable. Here, glass acts as a membrane that connects nature and living spaces.

By contrast, glass plays a different role at the ZK/U, which is set in an urban context. A more robust, almost infrastructural language was required for this project. Here, transparency means participation as well as visibility: Glass reveals what is happening inside to the outside world, making cultural and artistic processes visible without contradicting the rugged character of the existing building.

You emphasise glass as an inexpensive, efficient and fully recyclable material. In your view, is that still underestimated in architectural discourse?

Peter Grundmann: My impression is that glass is often undervalued by many architects. While most of the discussion focuses on transparency and impact, the material qualities receive less attention. Yet glass is one of the most affordable, efficient and fully recyclable building materials, an aspect which deserves more attention in the current era of circular economy. When combined with basic sun protection measures, such as canopies, trees or curtains, glass becomes an extremely powerful and sustainable material for a wide range of architectural applications.

In your opinion, what is the significance of glass for architecture as a whole – beyond individual projects – and how does it change our perception of space, nature and the city?

Peter Grundmann: For us, glass is primarily a way of bringing the outside in, whether that's the landscape, the light, or indeed the city itself. However, we don't take this approach dogmatically. We are not seeking to develop a fetishistic relationship with this material. Rather, glass will always be part of an architectural approach based on the location and the task at hand.

Find more information about Peter Grundmann’s projects here.