Glass Blocks and Prisms: Shining a light on Chicago’s architectural legacy
Did you know that Chicago played a pivotal role in bringing glass bricks and prism lights into architectural prominence? These elements transformed the way natural light was introduced into buildings, illuminating urban spaces while maintaining privacy and structural integrity. As a result, they became a defining feature in early 20th-century Chicago architecture—and this beautiful architectural element has not lost its appeal, as it continues to be embraced in modern designs across the city.
The Invention of Glass Bricks and Prism Lights
Prism lights (also known as Luxfers) were introduced in the late 19th century as a way to refract sunlight deep into buildings.
Glass bricks later expanded on this concept by embedding glass directly into walls, enhancing daylighting while preserving structural strength and privacy. In 1893, at the Chicago World’s Fair, Gustave Falconnier presented his patented ‘briques de verre,’ the world’s first glass block bricks. In 1933, also at Chicago’s World Fair, a unique Owens-Illinois Glass Block Building was raised to greet and awe the visitors, a building made entirely out of glass blocks. Chicago architects, including pioneers like Frank Lloyd Wright, embraced these innovations, shaping a new architectural language for the city.
The Art Institute of Chicago houses the Luxfer Prism Collection, showcasing artifacts from the Luxfer Prism Company, a Chicago-based manufacturer of prismatic windowpanes. Frank Lloyd Wright designed some of these panes, blending functional light diffusion with aesthetic design.
Notable Chicago Buildings Featuring Glass Blocks or Prisms
The Rookery Building
Year Built: 1888
Address: 209 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604
Renovated by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905, it features prism glass in the light court, bringing natural light into the building’s interior.
Garfield Park Conservatory
Year Built: 1908
Address: 300 North Central Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624
Glass blocks and prism panels flood the Fern Room with natural light, aiding plant growth and enhancing the conservatory’s organic design.
Reebie Storage Warehouse
Year Built: 1922
Address: 2325 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
This Egyptian Revival building features glass blocks in its façade, allowing natural light into storage spaces while maintaining a decorative element.
Schlitz Brewery-Tied House
Year Built: 1907
Address: 1393 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Glass blocks in the basement windows allow light into the lower levels while maintaining durability and security in this historic brewery-tied house.
Brewster Building (originally known as Lincoln Park Palace)
Year Built: 1893
Address: 2800 North Pine Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
Utilizes glass blocks in its interior walkways, providing light and a sense of openness in otherwise enclosed spaces.
Prudential Building
Year Built: 1955
Address: 130 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601
A mid-century skyscraper featuring glass blocks in stairwells and service areas, adding to its modernist appeal.
Palmolive Building
Year Built: 1929
Address: 919 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
An Art Deco icon that incorporates glass blocks in its stairwells, allowing natural light to penetrate interior spaces.
Trustees System Service Building
Year Built: 1930
Address: 201 North Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60606
This building prominently features glass bricks in its façade, enhancing the Art Deco design with filtered natural light.
Chicago Board of Trade Annex
Year Built: 1930
Address: 333 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604
Includes glass blocks in stairwells and service corridors, allowing light into enclosed spaces while maintaining privacy.
Carbide & Carbon Building
Year Built: 1929
Address: 230 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601
This Art Deco building uses glass blocks at its base to allow light into lower-level spaces, adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The Lasting Legacy and Modern Revival of Glass Blocks
In recent years, glass blocks and prism lights have made a notable comeback, becoming a hot trend in modern interior design. They can be seen in contemporary projects like the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue and in the striking Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, where glass blocks are used to create the iconic LED video towers. Designers are rediscovering their unique ability to combine style and function, using them to create sleek, light-filled spaces that maintain privacy while embracing an open, airy feel. Whether in residential lofts, retail spaces, or trendy office environments, glass bricks are being reimagined as a timeless design element that continues to shape interiors with a blend of elegance and practicality. Their return not only pays homage to Chicago’s architectural past but also signals their enduring appeal in contemporary design.
Photo Credits: victorgrigas/Wikimedia, www.flickr.com user jjlthree
