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Along with 1980s neon manicures and vintage '90s blazers, glass blocks are making a comeback thanks in part to a new fan base on social media. One Instagram reel showcasing several types of the retro building material has racked up more than 5 million views since March. It features cross-hatched blocks, frosted blocks and fluted blocks, underscoring the fact that the latest iterations aren't always quite what you remember from your aunt's gaudy apartment or the restaurant with a smoking section where you celebrated family birthdays.

Glass blocks have more than just good looks going for them, too. They're a relatively affordable choice for homeowners who want to add architectural interest or natural light without sacrificing privacy. They're even known for enhancing fire safety.



Advertisement "Glass blocks have this inherent luminosity to them, while also solving ...

technical problems," says Brendan Guerin, founding member of the firm Guerin Glass Architects, which operates in Honolulu, Los Angeles and Brooklyn. Here's why the glass block renaissance just makes sense. Privacy and light There's a very good reason glass blocks became so associated with luxury '80s and '90s bathrooms: They let in natural light without exposing inhabitants to the outside world the way a typical window would.

This remains a key draw for architects today. Brad Swartz of Brad Swartz Architects, a firm that specializes in urban spaces in Sydney, explains that glass blocks were an ideal solution when .

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