# Glass-Wrapped Residences This Angular Residence Features a Glass Coating Resembling Shrink-Wrap By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-12-24 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/angular-residence References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2014/12/23/wiel-arets-a-house-tokyo-glass-coated-exterior-shrink-wrapped/) & [wielaretsarchitects](http://www.wielaretsarchitects.com/) Dutch studio Wiel Arets Architects is behind the design of the 'A House,' an [angular residence located in Tokyo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-minamiazabu), Japan. The home is arranged so that three storeys are above ground, while the other two basement floors descend underground. The home's horizontally-divided units are connected by a spiraling staircase located at the center of the 136-square meter volume. The unusually-slanted exterior of the home is coated in glass, giving the home an especially shiny appearance, not unlike that of shrink-wrap. Underneath the glass, the home is fashioned out of a [sturdy concrete material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/residential-project-in-tokyo), chosen specifically for its ability to withstand natural disasters, such as earthquakes. The decision to coat the building in glass was made to give the building a more interesting texture. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 10% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Glass-wrapped Architecture:** Opportunity for architects and builders to create visually stunning and structurally sustainable buildings by utilizing innovative glass coatings and materials - **Spiraling Staircases:** Opportunity for architects and designers to incorporate unique and functional spiraling staircase designs into their buildings - **Subterranean Architecture:** Opportunity for architects and builders to utilize underground space, creating new living and work environments that are both energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** The glass-wrapped architecture trend presents an opportunity for architects and builders to create visually stunning and structurally sustainable buildings - **Design:** The spiraling staircase trend presents an opportunity for architects and designers to incorporate unique and functional spiraling staircase designs into their buildings - **Real Estate:** The subterranean architecture trend presents an opportunity for real estate developers to create new and innovative living and work environments that are both energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Clear Glazing Compact Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/check-patterned-house.md) - [Asian Material Suburban Residents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-ridge-house.md) - [Hidden Resort Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stealth-1.md) - [Pyramidal Concrete Japanese Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pyramid-hut.md) - [Fish Tank-Inspired Japanese Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nao-iwanari.md) - [Steel Facade-Wrapped Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bomun-house.md) - [Concrete Block-Formed Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockwall-house.md) - [Terraced Urban Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-in-minamiazabu.md) - [Angled Concrete Forest Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/block-wall-house.md)