Glass is his métier as well as his passion. The glassworkerengraver has as much enthusiasm for his collaborations with international architects today as when he started in the field 30 years ago. Saalburg has given new life to stained glass windows in churches that have been converted into local cultural centers, designed a glass staircase for Hermès, worked on the Yves Saint Laurent boutique in Paris, the LVMH tower in New York, as well as a host of private homes and apartments. His work, which also encompasses objects, offices, furniture and building facades, has changed the role glass plays in architectural projects. In his own words, he opens up “new possibilities” for the material. At his company Techniques Transparentes, they specialize in “unusual, complex projects,” which he oversees from start to finish. “Glass, which has become very prevalent over the last 20 years, is tied to humans’ essential need for light. It’s appealing as an element because it enables people to connect visually with the exterior. The multiple forms and filters can also be used to create a dreamy quality in spaces, as long as it’s used in a complementary fashion with other materials and elements.”