From Float Glass to OLEDs: How Recent Advancements in Glass Technology Are Reshaping 21st Century Design
CategoriesArchitecture

From Float Glass to OLEDs: How Recent Advancements in Glass Technology Are Reshaping 21st Century Design

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It might be hard to believe in today’s see-through society, but glass was once a scarce resource used sparingly in architecture. In the early years, glass was a medium for divine storytelling. The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, a stunning structure completed in 1248, illustrates 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments across a massive surface area of 6,888 square feet (640 square meters) of stained glass windows. Although beautiful, the windows were not decorative. They were an educational tool to teach religion to an illiterate population — 13th-century marketing at its very best.

By 1851, Joseph Paxton had designed and built The Crystal Palace for The Great Exhibition in London. With its vast expanse of plate glass panels and cast iron framework, the structure redefined the possibilities of architecture and design. As time and technology progressed, the float glass process (pouring the molten glass from a furnace into a chamber that contains a bed of molten tin), conceived by Sir Alastair Pilkington in 1959, was groundbreaking. It enabled the creation of large, uniform glass sheets that were less time-consuming to manufacture and more stable. The new process allowed glass to be seen as a structural element rather than a decorative addition.

Double-Curved Channel Glass Walls by Bendheim. Finalist, 2022 A+Product Awards, Best of the Year, Architectural Design 

By the time Modernism came into its own, a new vision of glazing was well underway — influenced mainly by the ever-experimental Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Mies’s philosophy of “less is more” led to a minimalist aesthetic where glazing allowed architects to move away from the solid, enclosed walls of traditional design to a language of openness and fluidity. This work laid the foundation for the modern skyscraper and encouraged a shift towards integrating buildings with their environment, emphasizing nature and light. It was a pinnacle time for glazing advancement, and now, 100 years on, we are entering a new phase of glazing innovation.

The market for advanced glazing technologies is robust and expanding. Industry analyses, such as those conducted by Grand View Research, indicate that the global smart glass market, valued at USD 4.22 billion in 2020, is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028. This growth trajectory is propelled by the escalating demand for energy-efficient and technologically sophisticated building solutions. The market expansion reflects a broader architectural trend toward buildings that are not just structures but adaptive, energy-efficient systems.

eyrise i350 Invisible Privacy Glazing by Merck KGaA. Jury Winner, 2022 A+Product Awards, Best of the Year, Health & Wellness 

Smart glass technologies, like electrochromic glass, are at the forefront of such innovation. Using a minimal electrical charge, electrochromic glass can transition between transparent and opaque states, offering dynamic control over both natural lighting and privacy while significantly impacting energy efficiency. For instance, in its opaque state, electrochromic glass can block solar radiation, substantially reducing the need for air conditioning in buildings. According to a U.S. Department of Energy report, smart windows have the potential to save up to 20% in annual energy costs, marking a substantial stride in building energy efficiency through one of the most used materials in construction.

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Sustainability is one of the key drivers in the evolution of glazing technologies, with an emphasis on integrating recycled materials into the production process being a priority. The use of cullet, or recycled glass, in glass manufacturing has been bolstered by new sorting and cleaning technologies that efficiently prepare the recycled glass for melting, causing less waste and using less energy.

SunGuard SNR 50 coated glass by Guardian Glass. Popular Choice Winner, 2022 A+Product Awards, Façades & Openings, Glass & Glazing

Thanks to these new recycling techniques, coatings derived from recycled glass are being used more frequently. Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings featuring microscopic layers of metallic oxides are becoming ever more popular. These glasses effectively minimize thermal transmittance while maintaining high levels of light transmittance. As do solar control coatings that selectively reflect infrared solar radiation, reducing heat gain and glare. In the context of urban design, these technologies lower heat absorption, thereby lowering ambient temperatures throughout our warming cities and reducing the urban heat island effect, a growing concern in densely populated cities.

Yet it’s not all about sustainability and climate. Multifunctional glazing solutions are reshaping the role of glass in architecture. These advanced solutions, integrating features like LED displays and touch-screen capabilities, are transforming windows from passive elements into interactive, multifaceted platforms. This transformation is underpinned by advances in optoelectronic engineering, enabling the integration of Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) directly onto glass surfaces. These OLEDs provide energy-efficient, high-quality displays. Touch-screen functionality is achieved through the application of transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), which offer capacitive touch recognition without compromising the transparency of the glass.

Experts in the industry are highly optimistic about the potential of such technologies. With a simple touch, users can control lighting and privacy and have immediate access to information, making buildings more functional and adaptable.

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Digital display glass provides a platform for real-time information dissemination; things like weather updates, service information, local points of interest, or even emergency alerts can be shown on the building itself. From a commercial perspective, digital display glass holds great potential, with it being used for advertising or showcasing products, offering business opportunities, and reaching broader audiences. Although advertising is a popular function, architects and designers have an opportunity to utilize this technology as a space for artistic expression, integrating digital art, animations, or dynamic visuals that can contribute to the aesthetic language of buildings.

Similarly, the integration of augmented reality (AR) and interactive features in smart glass technologies are pushing digital imaging and sensor technology. AR functionalities can be embedded in glass through the use of micro-projectors and transparent photovoltaic cells, allowing buildings to communicate and engage with occupants in unprecedented. This integration signifies a leap in the application of photonics and digital interactivity in architectural design, pointing towards a future where buildings offer not just shelter but dynamic, responsive environments.

In educational or public spaces, digital display glass and AR features can be used as a dynamic learning tool, displaying educational content, interactive exhibits, or historical information, enriching the learning experience and promoting knowledge while providing opportunities to increase accessibility in buildings, ensuring that everyone can benefit from the technology in a surreal revisiting of glazing’s original purpose from the 13th Century.

In essence, like much of our industry, glazing is witnessing a revolution marked by innovation, a commitment to sustainability, and a focus on enhancing human experiences. The enthusiastic embrace of these technologies by industry experts and leading architects underscores a shared commitment to innovating for a better, more sustainable, and aesthetically enriching future.

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Architizer’s A+Product Awards celebrate the manufacturers at the forefront of material innovation. If your brand is innovating in product design for architects, consider entering today.

Reference

And And And Studio brings 1970s elements to Century City Law Office
CategoriesInterior Design

And And And Studio brings 1970s elements to Century City Law Office

And And And Studio has overhauled the offices for one of LA’s top entertainment law firms, opting for a look that’s “more akin to a hotel lobby”.

The firm, which represents several Hollywood actors, tasked And And And Studio founders Annie Ritz and Daniel Rabin with designing interiors for its offices in Century City, a commercial district south of Beverly Hills.

Reception desk wrapped in glossy oxblood-coloured tiles
Visitors to the law offices in Century City are greeted by a desk wrapped in glossy oxblood-coloured tiles

The design studio convinced the clients to stay in their current building rather than move – a decision that required a complete redesign of the 22,000-square-foot (2,044-square-metre) space and the gutting of the interiors to make room for a brand-new layout.

The clients required over 30 private offices within the floor plan, so it had to compromise on the size of the rooms to leave enough area for lounges and other communal facilities.

Wood-panelled seating area with two slingback chairs and a marble table
The wood-panelled reception area sets the tone for the rest of the interiors

“The goal was for Ritz and Rabin to make the space feel airy, open and more akin to a hotel lobby than an office,” said the studio.

“[The lawyers] traded slightly smaller private offices in order to provide the entire office with inviting and functional communal spaces.”

Lounge area with teal-coloured bookshelves, two armchairs and a coffee table
And And And Studio drew references from a variety of design styles, most noticeably the 1970s

Visitors arriving at the wood-panelled reception area are met by a counter wrapped in glossy oxblood Rombini tiles from Mutina, which also surround curved columns in meeting spaces.

Bassam Fellows sling lounge chairs and an Angelo M Marble Table from Alinea Design Objects were also placed in reception, setting the tone for the rest of the interiors.

Kitchen featuring green marble countertops, backsplash and shelves
In the kitchen, green marble forms countertops, backsplash and shelves

Furnishings found throughout pull references from a variety of design styles, including art deco and 1970s, as seen in the Brasilia chairs by Menu, sofas by Arflex, and a Phillipe Malouin sofa for SCP.

Brown and yellow velvet upholstery in the lounge spaces also nods to the 1970s, while in the kitchen, green marble forms the countertop, backsplash and open shelving.

“The 1970s-inspired design transcends through warm wood tones, and bold-hued gold and green fabrics,” said And And And Studio.

Designing and executed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the team was met with various hurdles during the project, which resulted in multiple last-minute changes.

Conference room
The red tiles from the reception area are repeated in conference rooms

“[Our] approach to the re-design of this office embraces the goals and ethos of this law firm, giving a unique design to the space that is distinct,” And And And Studio said.

“This goal was met with several challenges due to the pandemic, creating delays and changes, specing and re-specing products, all while balancing a tight timeline.”

Meeting rooms with chairs around a circular table
The interior is designed to look more like a hotel lobby than an office

Ritz and Rabin’s studio has offices in both Los Angeles and Toronto.

Other law office designs include one created by Studio Arthur Casas for a firm in São Paulo with a chocolate-coloured space that’s brightened by hundreds of books, while Vladimir Radutny Architects used minimal white partitions to divide a lawyers’ office in Chicago.

The photography is by Chris Mottalini.

Reference

21st Century Architect Guide: 7 Visualization Tools Architects Can’t Live Without
CategoriesArchitecture

21st Century Architect Guide: 7 Visualization Tools Architects Can’t Live Without

Judging for the 11th A+Awards is now underway! While awaiting the Winners, learn more about Architizer’s Vision Awards. The Main Entry Deadline on June 9th is fast approaching. Start your entry today >

The architectural design process is an intricate dance between creativity and technical mastery. From beginning to end, as each act of a project unfolds, and visions come to life, every architect must rely on an array of visualization tools to help them successfully navigate project stages. These tools are our trusty partners throughout the performance that is design.

From sketching the earliest of ideas to unveiling new worlds in digital landscapes, many tools have revolutionized the way we work and transformed how we communicate our ideas. While we each have individual preferences, undoubtedly, from concept to completion, there are some visualization tools we can all agree we would rather not live without.


Conceptualization: Sketching and Diagramming – The Napkin Chronicles

Interior of the reimagined Autodesk Gallery, San Francisco, CA, United States Photograph provided by Autodesk

We’ve all been there — a moment of divine inspiration striking in the middle of lunch, hastily scribbling our ideas on a napkin, a receipt, even our hand. Be it through traditional (pen and paper) sketching or digital tools like SketchBook by Autodesk and Morpholio Trace, conceptualization is the wild west of design documentation, and that’s precisely what these programs are built for.

By allowing us to quickly test various design concepts, proportions, and relationships while providing a platform for experimentation and ideation, such sketching software helps to support and facilitate mark-making and disjointed thought. The intuitive interface and versatile features of these digital sketching apps enable architects to easily switch between mediums, layers, and scales, streamlining the concept process and ultimately helping us make sense of our own ideas effectively.


Schematic Design: 2D CAD Drawings – Back to the Grid

Autodesk Technology Center, Boston, MA, United States Photograph provided by Autodesk

With concepts refined, then comes the time to embrace the precision and orderliness of 2D CAD drawings. Bidding adieu to the delightful chaos of the napkin sketches, programs like AutoCAD and Vectorworks become our new best friends. During the schematic phase, meticulously articulating our visions is essential, ensuring that not even a single datum line goes astray.

Whatever your preferred platform may be, CAD programs allow us to create detailed, scalable drawings, facilitating coordination with consultants, and fine-tuning the review process for and with clients. Over the years, the software’s extensive libraries and automated tools have increased the efficiency of drawing tenfold, reducing errors and resources required at this stage of the design development process.


Design Development: 3D Modeling – The Taming of the Shrewd

Interior of the new reimagined Autodesk Gallery in San Francisco, CA, United States Photograph provided by Autodesk

The design process can often feel a lot like herding cats, chaotic and unpredictable. 3D modeling software such as SketchUp, Rhino, and Revit can feel like our trusty shepherd’s staff in times of uncertainty and compromise. With these tools, we can juggle competing interests — structural engineers advocating for fewer cantilevers and environmental officers requesting more green space alongside MEP consultants demanding cavernous service risers.

3D models give us the capacity to study the spatial relationships and materiality of our designs, enabling us to make informed decisions on practicality with as little impact on the design ambition as possible. The real-time rendering capabilities of these programs thrive in the quest for seamless collaboration between team members, promoting an iterative design process and ensuring that all disciplines are working in harmony.


Visualization: Rendering and Virtual Reality – The Picture-Perfect Performance

The Lumion office building by atelier PRO architekten, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photograph by Jan Paul Mioulet

During the design process, renderings are akin to a grand soiree, a sumptuous feast for the eyes that unveil creations in all their splendor. With virtuosos like V-Ray and Lumion at the helm, 3D renders allow us to conduct a mesmerizing performance of light and texture, conjuring spellbinding visuals that leave clients entranced.

These rendering maestros boast an array of sophisticated features, from global illumination to physically-based materials and ethereal atmospheric effects, empowering architects to craft lifelike images that impeccably embody their design aspirations. Furthermore, VR technologies such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive transport us to a realm where we can meander through our masterpieces as though they already stand tall — always remember to mind your footing in the tangible world as you navigate the virtual one.


Construction Documentation: BIM – The Clash of the Disciplines

The pièce de résistance of the design process, construction documentation through BIM software, such as Revit, is where the rubber meets the road. Architects know that, in today’s world, coordination is the name of the game, and nothing tests resolve quite like the clash detection feature in our BIM software.

By consolidating architectural, structural, and MEP models into a single, comprehensive database, BIM enables us to identify and resolve conflicts early in the design process, preventing costly and time-consuming issues during construction. BIM’s powerful parametric capabilities also facilitate the generation of detailed schedules and specifications, ensuring that the information is accurate, consistent, and up-to-date.


Digital Fabrication: Parametric Design – A Brave New World

Designed using CATIA V&A Dundee by Kengo Kuma and Associates, Dundee, Scotland. Photograph by Hufton+Crow

As we explore the frontiers of design, the relatively new realm of digital fabrication beckons. Unlike days of old, armed with kappa board and scalpel, parametric design and computational tools like Grasshopper, Dynamo, and Catia empower us to translate complex geometries and intricate patterns into buildable forms. These tools enable us to visualize and rationalize our boldest ideas, bridging the gap between digital models and physical constructs.

We can optimize our designs for structural efficiency, environmental performance, and material utilization by scripting algorithms and generating parametric models. As we venture into the brave new world of 3D printing, CNC milling, and robotic assembly, these visual documentation tools are our invaluable guides, helping us push the boundaries of architectural possibility.


Interactive Presentations: Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality – The Future is Now

Autodesk, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Photograph provided by Autodesk

As the future of architecture unfolds before us, augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies are poised to revolutionize the way we present and experience our designs. Tools like Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap, and Apple ARKit allow us to superimpose digital information onto the physical environment, creating immersive and interactive presentations that captivate our clients and collaborators. These cutting-edge technologies enable us to visualize and manipulate design elements in real time, engaging with our projects in novel and exciting ways. By overlaying digital models onto site photographs, AR can enhance client presentations by demonstrating the proposed design in context. As we embrace AR and MR, we stand at the forefront of a paradigm shift, forever changing how we document, present, and interact with architecture.

Throughout the timeline of a project, architects employ an ever-evolving array of visualization tools, from the nascent stages of conceptualization to the emerging realms of digital fabrication and interactive presentations. By embracing these tools and the many more sure to be introduced over our careers, we can continue to push the boundaries of architectural possibility, shaping the world around us with passion, precision, and innovation. As we salute the visual documentation tools accompanying us on our architectural odyssey, let’s not forget the camaraderie and ingenuity that defines our profession. Together, we can create spaces that inspire, transform, and endure for generations.

Judging for the 11th A+Awards is now underway! While awaiting the Winners, learn more about Architizer’s Vision Awards. The Main Entry Deadline on June 9th is fast approaching. Start your entry today >

Reference