The infinite adaptability of structural glass makes it a vital part of construction projects, particularly as people are increasingly mindful of the importance of daylighting as a core design principle.
A key component of the International Style, alongside steel and concrete, glazed structures are a fundamental part of retail establishments, offices and many modern homes and have been for decades.
As the legendary architect Le Corbusier elegantly put it, architectural glass provides the three vital design elements of space, light and order, and whilst some architectural principles may change over the years to deemphasise concrete or steel, glass is likely to be a key component in architecture for the foreseeable future.
To understand how glass buildings may change going forward, it is worth exploring some of the pioneers that shaped glass buildings as we know them today and what lessons they provide designers in the present.
What Was The First Building To Feature A Glass Curtain Wall?
When the Grade I-listed Oriel Chambers building was first constructed in 1864, absolutely nothing in the world looked quite like it, with a collection of huge plate-glass windows allowing a huge amount of light into such a solid building.
It was the first example of a curtain wall, a glass cladding system that is still the primary way in which skyscrapers and large modern buildings are designed, but despite its influence, it was not entirely beloved at the time.
It was savaged by The Builder in 1866, who claimed that it was worse than even a plain brick warehouse. However, it would highly influence the Burnham and Root design house in Chicago, leading to the skyscraper as we know it today.
What Can Building Designers Learn From Oriel Chambers?
- Glazing is a pivotal component for establishing daylight spaces.
- Large windows create a sense of openness.
- It is essential to balance privacy with daylighting.
What Was The First Building To Use Glass As A Structural Element?
Whilst a curtain wall is a very important design element, it is not strictly a fundamentally structural part of the building in the same way many modern glass buildings are, but the first steps towards a building designed and built around the capabilities of glass were found in 1928.
The Maison de Verre (or House of Glass) in Paris was distinctly industrial in design and remarkably modern for its era, designed around variable transparency, material honesty and using relatively unusual design elements such as bare steel beams, industrial light fixtures and rubber tiles.
It was designed to shift and shape around three main functional zones: a medical space for homeowner and doctor Jean Dalsace, a private area the family could live in upstairs, and a reception area.
The latter would prove to be historically important, becoming a cultural hub for philosophers, writers, musicians, artists and political thinkers, whilst its transparency meant that it would not be touched by occupying forces during the Second World War.
What Can Building Designers Learn About Structural Glazing From Maison De Verre?
- Structural glass buildings celebrate function through their form.
- Variable transparency is critical when using glass.
- The layout needs to account for the various positions of open-plan and functional elements.