n the United Arab Emirates at the beginning of the 1980’s, many palaces, hotels, and luxury villas were being built. The Glasshouse was set up in 1984 to answer the need for decorative and specialist glass, which at the time was all being imported from abroad, at great risk and expense. One such container of decorated mirrors scheduled for a royal palace arrived in Dubai badly damaged. The interior contractors heard about the newly established Glasshouse, and this ‘lucky break’ gave the company an early start with some of the most prestigious projects in the country. The company quickly grew through training, and the hiring of specialist artists and artisans.