--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I discovered by working with actual glass…" description: "\"I discovered by working with actual glass models that the important thing is the play of reflections and not the effect of light and shadow, as in ordi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe-7536_architecture_i-discovered-by-working-with-actual-glas_2538972.jpg" --- # I discovered by working with actual glass models that the… ![“I discovered by working with actual glass models that the important thing is the play of reflections and not the effect of light and shadow, as in ordinary buildings.” quote by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe-7536_architecture_i-discovered-by-working-with-actual-glas_2538972.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe-7536_architecture_i-discovered-by-working-with-actual-glas_2538972.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe-7536_architecture_i-discovered-by-working-with-actual-glas_2538972.jpg) > “I discovered by working with actual glass models that the important thing is the play of reflections and not the effect of light and shadow, as in ordinary buildings.” [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The value of architecture lies in how surfaces reflect, not merely in light and shadow effects. **In simple terms:** Architecture should focus on reflective surfaces over light/shadow. Key Takeaway Emphasize reflective design in architecture. Themes architecture design reflection light shadow aesthetics Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type theoretical design When to use this quote - building facades - interior design - urban planning - exhibition spaces Key Concepts visual perception materiality spatial experience Questions to Reflect On - How do reflections influence occupant experience? - Can reflection and light be balanced effectively? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on reflection may neglect functional lighting needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actual Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual-glass-1415868/) [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Buildings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buildings/) [Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glass/) [Glass Models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glass-models-1415869/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light and shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-and-shadow/) [Ordinary Buildings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary-buildings-1415871/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Reflections Effect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflections-effect-1415870/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) ## Related quotes > [Modern buildings of our time are so huge that one must group them. 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They cry; as something happens on the screen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/have-you-seen-people-in-a-theater-looking-at-a-movie-how-different/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“Turning to the northwest I see the much nearer fires on the hill, like a dwarfish volcano. 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We must beware not to disrupt it with the color of our houses and interior fittings. yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/nature-too-shall-live-its-own-life-we-must-beware-not-to-disrupt-it/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [Let us guide our students over the road of discipline from materials, through function, to creative work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/let-us-guide-our-students-over-the-road-of-discipline-from-materials/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [Just as we acquaint ourselves with materials, and just as we must understand functions, we must become familiar with the psychological and spiritual factors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/just-as-we-acquaint-ourselves-with-materials-and-just-as-we-must/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [Simply by not owning three medium-sized castles in Tuscany I have saved enough money in the last forty years on insurance premiums alone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/simply-by-not-owning-three-medium-sized-castles-in-tuscany-i-have/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [The problem of architecture has always been the same throughout time. Its authentic quality is reached through its proportions, and the proportions cost nothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/the-problem-of-architecture-has-always-been-the-same-throughout-time/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [The long path from material through function to creative work has only one goal: to create order out of the desperate confusion of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/the-long-path-from-material-through-function-to-creative-work-has/) [Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [Architecture begins when you place two bricks carefully together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/architecture-begins-when-you-place-two-bricks-carefully-together/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [Reinforced concrete buildings are by nature skeletal buildings. 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Also,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/you-can-use-up-all-the-slums-for-new-development-in-all-the-cities-of/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [The individual is losing significance; his destiny is no longer what interests us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/the-individual-is-losing-significance-his-destiny-is-no-longer-what/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [The building art is man's spatial dialogue with his environment and demonstrates how he asserts himself therein and how he masters it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/the-building-art-is-man-s-spatial-dialogue-with-his-environment-and/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [You can teach students how to work; you can teach them technique - how to use reason; you can even give them a sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/you-can-teach-students-how-to-work-you-can-teach-them-technique-how/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) [Explore all 89 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) ## More Architecture quotes > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [A man walks down the street. 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