Glass in Modern Exterior Architectural Applications: Insights of How an Industry Has Evolved to Create the Most Fascinating Building Material in Engineering and Design Contexts

Glass in Modern Exterior Architectural Applications: Insights of how an industry has evolved to create the most fascinating building material in engineering and design contexts
Prashanth Venkataramana
MPhil Student-Engineering for Sustainable Development
Department of Engineering – University of Cambridge

Introduction
Soda-lime Silicate Glass or ‘Glass’ as we commonly know it has become increasingly indispensable to modern architecture. Buildings today use a significantly higher percentage of glass in its construction. Glass as a material has evolved from being a mere component of a window to the most important component that defines the character of the new-age building. This can be attributed to certain key drivers which will be discussed in detail in this paper explaining the evolution of the industry and the future of glass in buildings. Apart from the obvious growth in construction and refurbishment markets, the other interesting key drivers can be broadly named as: I. Aesthetics – Modern Architecture II. People - Building Usage III. Energy – Environment & Sustainable design contexts
These have been answered by developments in the Architectural Glass Industry such as in:
Manufacturing:
* Coating Technology: Pyrolytic Magnetron Sputter Coatings * Safety : Heat Treatment processes
Design:
* Design: Structural Engineering * Construction: Insulated Glass Units
A Brief History of Glass: From a Craft to an Industry (3500 BC – 1959 AD)
Man made glass in the form of glass beads dates back to 3500 BC in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia with findings on pots and vases. Egyptian hollow glassware has been found circa 1500 BC believed to be brought from Asia. The first glassmaking manual dates back to around 650 BC in tablets from the library of Assyrian King Ashurbanipal. Sheet Glass, the primary form of glass in buildings, was developed by German craftsmen in the 11th century AD and further enhanced by Venetian craftsmen in

References: 1. AGC, 2008 – “All About Glass”, AGC Flat Glass Europe, www.yourglass.com 2 3. AIS, 2006 – AIS Glass Training Manual – Fabricators – AIS Glass Solutions Knowledge Program(June, 2006) 4 5. Arnaud, 1997 – “Industrial Production of Coated Glass: Future trends for expanding needs” – Alain Arnaud – Journal of Non Crystalline Solids – 1997 6 7. Eisenhower, 2009 – Energy Efficiency – A Billion Dollar Opportunity – Conference on Renewable Energy, New Delhi September 2009 8 9. Gahlaut, 2008 – “What Ails the Indian Glass Processing Industry?” – Seema Gahlaut – June, 2008 – Glassonweb.com 10 11. Garg & Singh, 2009 – “Energy Ratings of Different Glazings for Indian Climate” – MC Singh & SN Garg – Centre for Energy Studies – IIT – Delhi ( March, 2009) 12 13. Glass on the Web 2002 – “Pyrolic or Vacuum Coated Glass” (September, 2002) - http://www.glassonweb.com/articles/article/180/ 14 15. Greenberg, 2001- “Thin Film Coatings on Glass : The Extraordinary Possibilities” – Charles B Greenberg – American Chemical Society 2001 16 17. Lam, 1997 – “Energy Analysis of Commercial Buildings in Subtropical Climates” – Joseph C Lam – Building and Environment – January 2000 18 22. PVGroup 2010 – “The Solar PV Landscape in India: An Industry Perspective” (April, 2009) – SEMI PV Group 23 24. Shukri, 2007 – “Thin Film Coated Energy Efficient Glass windows for Warm Climates” Desalination 209 - AM Al-Shukri, Science Direct 2007 25 26. Samyn & Achten, 1997 – “Present trend and Architects expectation on coated Glass” – Sec 1 – Introductory Session – Philippe Samyn & Marc Achten – Journal of Non Crystalline Solids - 1997 27 28. Tangram, 2004 – Flat Glass Production http://www.tangram.co.uk/TI-Glazing-Float%20Glass.html 29