AETHER: Glass as a Medium for Atmospheric Spatial Design in Urban Contexts

Abstract

AETHER investigates the potential of glass as a medium for generating atmospheric spatial conditions within dense urban environments. Situated in Bangkok, the project responds to the city’s overstimulated context by proposing a temporary architectural installation that creates a space for pause, reflection, and sensory recalibration.

The research explores how modular glass block systems transform light into a spatial and perceptual experience. Through the interaction of natural and artificial light, the installation produces shifting visual effects that evolve throughout the day and night (Figures 1 and 2). Glass is treated not merely as a construction material, but as an active agent that filters, diffuses, and reconfigures perception.

The design process combines material experimentation, field observation, and iterative prototyping, informed by local glass production processes in Thailand. The installation integrates ephemeral elements such as mist, sound, and vegetation to enhance its atmospheric qualities. These components soften spatial boundaries, blur visual clarity, and introduce temporal variation.

AETHER repositions the glass block, commonly associated with utilitarian construction, as a medium for sensory and spatial exploration. The project demonstrates how material-driven design can generate immersive environments that engage perception and encourage stillness.

The research contributes to ongoing discourse on atmospheric architecture, proposing that temporary installations can act as micro-retreats within the city. It highlights the capacity of architectural interventions to mediate between materiality, perception, and urban experience, offering an alternative approach to designing for well-being in contemporary urban contexts.