GlazenHuis will be closed from July 29, 2024 until further notice due to renovations. It is estimated that the work will last until the fall of 2026.
Sand, glass and Lommel
What is the link between sand, glass and Lommel? Quartz sand, also known as silver sand or glass sand, was discovered in Lommel in 1845. This white sand with a high quartz content and exceptionally fine grains is very pure and the raw material for high-quality glass. Moreover, it is quite unique: Lommel is one of the few places in Belgium where quartz sand is extracted.
Architecture
The building consists of two glass volumes: the glass box with curtain walls of ultra clear glass framed with stainless steel, and the striking glass cone composed of triangular window frames.
In the 6 meter high box and the underground floor, around the cone, there are 3 exhibition spaces. The 30-meter-high glass cone has a diameter of 8 meters and looks far above the city center. Quasi invisible during the day, a colorful spectacle of light at night.
When you go up the stairs in the cone of GlassHouse, you should pay attention halfway. There are mirrors placed on the outside of the cone, in which you can see the cone's spire.
The 2 identical stairs inside the cone were spirally suspended. As you ascend the stairs, you get an overview of the entire building.
Collection management
Since 1993, the city of Lommel has been building its own glass art collection together with GlazenHuis, which in the meantime has almost 1,000 works of art by national and international artists in ownership or on long-term loan.
Since 2023, a golden meteorite by American artist Matthew Szösz has been hanging in the glass cone. The meteorite is meant to spark a conversation. What do we value? How do we determine that value? And what is really valuable to you?
Craft workshop
Using centuries-old techniques, glass artists here create unique glass art objects daily from hot liquid glass. The glass studio is staffed by (foreign) artists, freelancers, residencies, landlords or GlazenHuis's own glassblowers.
Residencies
Since 2013, GlazenHuis has been successfully building an international residency program. Here, international glass artists are invited annually to work in the hot glass studio for a period of time. The emphasis here is on knowledge development through extensive guidance and facilitation of the artists.
