The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects

If you’ve been avoiding some of the latest news recently, here’s a quick update; European and North American countries have been facing one of the hottest recorded summers in modern history. Discussions over the climate crises have therefore been reignited and so has the role of the design and construction industry in providing solutions that would mitigate the experienced heat effects in our daily lives. While passive cooling solutions have always been used in some parts of the world, where local resources and vernacular builds are adapted to high temperatures, other regions are looking to technological and innovative manufacturing means that would maintain human comfort, aesthetic values, and energy efficiency/ cost. 

Although early modernism with its signature high-rises and glass houses had made us think that glass enveloped buildings are mostly uncomfortable, over-exposed, and overheating settings; nowadays glass manufacturers are proving that glass, if well treated and well-placed, can be as versatile and efficient a material as one could want without compromising the visual comfort or the dwellers. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 2 of 44The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 28 of 44The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 37 of 44The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 11 of 44The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - More Images+ 39

Manufacturers have recently been pushing the boundaries of glass production and its specifications. With the increasing accessibility of double-glazed, glare control reflective and filtering glass and other coatings, there are now ample solutions that are allowing for the most futuristic-looking designs to see the light. Even in places such as Saudi Arabia where in traditional architecture, openings were avoided to reduce the heating effect and blinding glare, new facade glazing techniques are considered to drape over an entire mirrored skyscraper city.

There is a very wide array of designs that can be adopted with the use of glare reflecting and insulating glass panels with even wider spans, resilience, and forms. This is allowing us to have transparent living, resting, and working spaces as seen through these XX projects. 

Commercial, Hospitality, Educational and Cultural

Historical Archive of Cologne / Waechter + Waechter Architekten

The facade with its changing colors of the architectural bronze and the constantly changing play of light and shadow thus makes a significant contribution to meeting the high energy and conservation requirements for the indoor climate in a sustainable manner. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 4 of 44
© Brigida González
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 5 of 44
© Brigida González

La Samaritaine / SANAA + LAGNEAU Architectes + Francois Brugel Architectes Associes + SRA Architectes

To further enhance the integration of the new design within its urban context the glass reflects and transforms the surrounding environment, creating a subtle combination of the historical and the contemporary across its surface. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 7 of 44
© Jared Chulski
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 9 of 44
© Jared Chulski

Tropicario Bogotá Botanic Garden / DARP - De Arquitectura y Paisaje

The use of passive temperature control systems that don't require mechanical ventilation systems was promoted, using glass with different thicknesses and filters and automated systems for opening some areas to control the temperature. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 10 of 44
© Mauricio Carvajal
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 12 of 44
© Mauricio Carvajal

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum / MVRDV

Thanks to this reflection, the building is already fully integrated into its surroundings, despite its not insignificant size of 15,000 m2. It enlivens its surroundings while establishing strong relationships with the park and the neighboring buildings.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 13 of 44
© Ossip van Duivenbode
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 14 of 44
© Ossip van Duivenbode

Hilton Garden Inn Boston - Brookline / CambridgeSeven

Fritted glass panels create a visual gradient of textures and soft reflections that reduce glare, unwanted heat gain, and bird strikes – a common issue with glass buildings.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 20 of 44
© Anton Grassl
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 21 of 44
© Anton Grassl

Glass House / Max Núñez

The glass block used has the particularity that its inner face is striated, which prevents the direct passage of the sun's rays, reducing direct radiation on the leaves. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 23 of 44
© Roland Halbe
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 22 of 44
© Roland Halbe

Office Buildings

Central Park Office Tower / GROUP A

The two-story indoor park is enclosed by a receding glass facade embracing the park like an undulating curtain. This is where employees come together to unwind, brainstorm or attend an event in a unique ecosystem overlooking the city. Smart technology with smart facades and light sensors contribute to a pleasant indoor climate and user comfort.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 25 of 44
© Sebastian van Damme
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 26 of 44
© Sebastian van Damme

Gare Maritime Workspace / Neutelings Riedijk Architects + Bureau Bouwtechniek

The glass facades on Picardstreet are provided with solar cells and 17,000 m2 of solar panels have been installed on the roofs. At all levels, far-reaching sustainability measures have been implemented, such as geothermal energy and reuse of rainwater.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 15 of 44
© © Filip Dujardin © Neutelings Riedijk Architects & © Sarah Blee © Neutelings Riedijk Architects
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 17 of 44
© © Filip Dujardin © Neutelings Riedijk Architects & © Sarah Blee © Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Tour Saint-Gobain / Valode & Pistre

A sustainable and aesthetic solution, SageGlass’ adaptability to external conditions dispels the need for shutters or blinds. To function, SageGlass utilizes an advanced predictive daylight algorithm taking into account temperature, illuminance, occupancy, window size, time of day, season, building orientation, sun angle, and sky conditions to accurately regulate tint for optimal conditions. This permits the minimization of glare without the need for shading devices, while still optimizing the amount of natural light to reduce the need for artificial light and energy expenditures.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 2 of 44
© Sergio Grazia
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 29 of 44
© Sergio Grazia

Blues Head Office / Dehsar Works

Double glazed glass facade to reduce heat gain and indoor-outdoor relationship.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 31 of 44
© Noufel Sharif Sojol
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 32 of 44
© Noufel Sharif Sojol

Mercator One Office Building / Hadi Teherani Architects

Triple-insulated solar control glass was installed for reasons dealing with thermal and noise insulation, and naturally as a sunscreen. State-of-the-art ceiling systems with integrated lighting provide the structure with heating, air conditioning, fresh air, and improved acoustics at a heat recovery rate of over 80%.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 33 of 44
© Jörg Hempel
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 34 of 44
© Olaf Rohl

Etraton Office Building / ARK-architecture

The choice of the glass panels was subject to a thorough research process focused on technicality, efficiency, and aesthetics to guarantee a neutral, untinted, and highly reflective result. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 36 of 44
© Bilel Khemakhem
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 35 of 44
© Bilel Khemakhem

Residential

Labri House / Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates

The four caves which are made of glass are always full of natural sunlight and wind to comfort all the residents. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 40 of 44
© Hiroyuki Oki
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 41 of 44
© Hiroyuki Oki

Preston Hollow Residence / Specht Architects

Sustainable Design Features. The design for this house is organized around eliminating direct solar gain while still allowing for expansive views. The large pavilion roof and cantilevered roof overhangs were modeled to provide complete passive shading from the harsh Dallas sun at all times of the day. In addition, the entire west façade has no openings at all. 

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 37 of 44
© Casey Dunn
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 38 of 44
© Casey Dunn

Mini House Bac Cau / vn-a

The transparency of the house makes it possible without a clear form and disappears into the time-space of the river quay.

The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 43 of 44
© Hoang Le and vn-a
The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects - Image 44 of 44
© Hoang Le and vn-a

Note: The quoted texts are excerpts from the archived descriptions of each project, previously shared by the architects. Find more reference projects in this My ArchDaily folder created by the authors.

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: The Future of Construction Materials. Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and projects. Learn more about our ArchDaily topics. As always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.

Image gallery

See allShow less
About this author
Cite: Hana Abdel. "The Future of Glass Construction in a Warmer World: A Selection of Glazed but Efficient Projects" 31 Aug 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/987719/the-future-of-glass-construction-in-a-warmer-world-a-selection-of-glazed-but-efficient-projects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Jared Chulski

玻璃建筑‘收割’全球各地地标

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.