Seves Glass Block

Located in Bilbao, Spain, the University Library of Deusto was designed by architect Rafael
Moneo to house approximately 800,000 volumes, including more than 60,000 rare books dating
from 1550 to 1830. Situated near Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, the building was
conceived as a contemporary architectural presence that establishes a harmonious
relationship with both the university and the surrounding park.
A fundamental element of the project is the custom-made glass block developed and
manufactured by Seves Glassblock specifically for Rafael Moneo’s design. Through its
advanced Tailor Made production capabilities, Seves Glassblock was able to develop a unique
30 × 30 cm glass block, specially engineered to meet the architectural and aesthetic
requirements of the building.
The blocks cover approximately three-quarters of the façade and feature a distinctive three-
dimensional fluted pattern inspired by the Doric column. The relief design is moulded into the
glass, while the opposite internal surface remains smooth, creating a refined balance between
texture, transparency and light.
The Deusto project demonstrates Seves Glassblock’s ability to transform glass block
production into a bespoke architectural process, combining specialized manufacturing
technology with the architect’s vision. The result is a unique façade in which the glass block
becomes both a structural building element and a defining architectural feature.
By translating a classical architectural motif into a contemporary glass element, the project
expresses the library’s role as a link between past knowledge and future learning. At night, the
internally illuminated glass façade transforms the building into a luminous landmark,
resembling a lighthouse within the park.