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PEGASUS. A HISTORY OF INNOVATION IN THE VETROARREDO TRADITION.
"The greatest contribution to glass block architecture made in the world o date". Vetroarredo has brought a new quality standard to glass block production as a result of its involvement in Renzo Piano's project for the Maison Hermès in Tokyo. In fact, it is no coincidence that, in order to meet the challenge of building the Japanese Hermès venue, Renzo Piano - famous for his lightweight constructions and use of materials with creative simplicity - found in Vetroarredo a valid partner which was able to help him achieve his ambitious objective of creating a magic lantern to accommodate the Hermès "mega store": 13,000 glass blocks, 45 meters high, 11 floors, in the center of the Ginza district of Tokyo.
The only company in the world willing and able take up this difficult but exciting challenge, trusting in its ability to innovate production processes as well as the products themselves, Vetroarredo created a new experimental type of glass block for the Piano/Hermès project, with truly unique features: the Hermès block, with its extraordinary dimensions, 42.8 x 42.8 cm.
The Hermès block is not only a tangible expression of the remarkable glassmaking production with which Vetroarredo has abundantly surpassed currenttechnological production limits, but also a symbol of architectural excellence. In fact, apart from its extraordinary dimensions, two additional solutions have been used for the Hermès block:
- more prominent edging, making it possible to improve the positioning ofadjacent blocks; the visual effect obtained means that the metallic supporting
structures are hidden, thus reducing the "gap" between the block s;
- metalicized painting of the sections marking the edges of the block: an elegant and sophisticated detail which accentuates the luminous reflection
of the Hermès building.

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