Glass is now a fundamental part of contemporary architecture, forming key structural elements of buildings as well as bringing enhanced natural light and aesthetic appeal. From the popularity of the glass balustrade to fully glazed facias, glass is used in many creative and sustainable ways. Here are some inspiring examples from around the world.
The Gherkin, London
The Gherkin in the Financial District in the heart of London was designed by Norman Foster and Ken Shuttleworth, and opened in 2004. Its distinctive use of glazing within a diagonal patterned steel grid is designed to enhance the energy efficiency of the building.
The double-glazed panels are designed to generate passive solar heat in winter and reduce solar gain in summer. Sunlight can also pass freely through the 41 storeys of the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting and enhancing the health and wellbeing of occupants. The now familiar London landmark won the 2003 Emporis Skyscraper Award.
W Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
The W Hotel in Barcelona stands next to the Barceloneta Beach, and it is a wonder of modern architectural design with its sleek and shimmering silhouette. It is sometimes referred to as the Sail Hotel due to its striking resemblance to the shape of a ship’s sail, and its obvious maritime location at the entrance to a port.
It was designed by the architect Ricardo Bofill, and is an excellent example of how modern materials such as glazing can blend harmoniously with the environment. The luxurious five-star hotel offers panoramic views over the sea and the city thanks to wall to wall glazing. It is a magnet for the glam jet set, with a youthful, cosmopolitan vibe.
The Sage, Gateshead
The Sage (recently renamed the Glasshouse International Centre for Music) is a contemporary music and arts venue that sits on the banks of the Tyne River in northeast England. The curved glass and steel dome contains three distinct sections that are fully soundproofed, allowing multiple musical events to take place at the same time.
It sits on the site of a disused glassworks, so glazing was a natural choice of architectural material for the designers, who are the same team behind The Gherkin. The undulating structure incorporates 630 panes of glass, creating a beautiful and inspiring performance space.
Aldar Headquarters, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The futuristic Aldar Headquarters building in Abu Dhabi is an innovative disc shaped building that has been named ‘One of the World’s Most Dazzling Corporate Offices’ by international building organisation, Emporis. It has won several other local awards for its semi-spherical design that links two circular convex glazed facades.
The building is engineered to score highly on the Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. It features a bespoke cooling plant and water system, and maximises the use of natural light and thermal energy through advanced glazing systems.
Office space and meeting rooms are strategically positioned on the outer edges of the building, so that employees and visitors can benefit from the effect of natural daylight. This has been proven to have a positive effect on energy levels, sleep patterns, mood, and overall health and well being. This can boost morale and productivity among workers.
Apple Park, Cupertino, USA
The headquarters of the US tech giant in the San Francisco Bay Area of California is, as you might expect, designed with equal attention to technical detail and aesthetic appeal. Its ring shape was designed by Norman Foster, and is sometimes compared to a futuristic spaceship. The inner section is planted with drought resistant trees and features a pond.
The extensive glazing features a natural ventilation system and is supplemented with solar panels.
Future trends in glazing design
Glass is playing a key role in creating buildings that are energy efficient and sustainable. This trend is set to continue, with innovations such as photovoltaic glass that is capable of generating energy from sunlight.
Dynamic facades that are capable of adjusting to levels of light, temperature, and environmental conditions look set to provide ever more efficient and sustainable architectural designs in the future.
Furthermore, curved or custom shaped glass is set to be used more widely thanks to advanced manufacturing techniques, so buildings that were once considered futuristic in their design may start to become more commonplace.
