In the ongoing quest to build boxes around ourselves and then doing our darnedest to erase the distinction between the inside and the outside of the box, we seem to make much of "bringing the outdoors in" or "incorporating natural elements." Unless you happen to live in an open bungalow in Bali or a sprawling Mediterranean villa, you're likely to rely on glass to create the illusion of living in the outdoors. But while most architectural features offer a somewhat constrained passage to nature (French patio doors or sliding doors), the SL series by manufacturer Solarlux presents a more expansive portfolio of possibility.

Folding Glass Doors. Designed by Solarlux.

Maximum Versatility to Maximize Your Views

And maximize your space as well. Solarlux folding glass doors do away with the heretofore limiting factor of the supportive pillar. The doors function like a kind of hyper-mobile accordion-folding inside or outside, to the right or to the left, linked with proximal doors or made to stop and stay at any point along the opening (see the Solarlux video demo). The upshot of this fabulous flexibility is that huge horizontal expanses can be walled-in at one moment and completely unobstructed the next.

The technology certainly promotes some serious poolside potential-the SL 80 and 81 models feature swimming pool glazing-but since the entire line offers excellent thermal insulation properties, the doors are easily incorporated into residential and contract schemes as well. Picture a hotel in Chicago whose 10 foot glass wall folds away to offer eight feet of unimpeded access to the windy city (picture this in June); or a slopeside restaurant in Zermatt whose walls zip aside as if they were mere curtains, leaving you feeling as if you could lean over and touch the Matterhorn (picture this in July). Or just imagine the little slice of paradise you call your backyard-access to its soft green grass entirely unencumbered, awaiting the trod of eager feet.