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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

By Zarkon Group,

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:

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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.

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modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses in china
CategoriesArchitecture

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses in china

By Zarkon Group,

Superposition Village Initiative Transforms Rural China

 

The Superposition Village Initiative, developed by IBR – Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co. Ltd., focuses on the concept of ‘sojourning’ in rural areas of China. The project introduces a ‘concept city’ called ‘superposition village,’ facilitating the transfer of green technology and lifestyles across different rural locations. The ‘concept city’ evolves through experiences, enhancing its utility and effectiveness. The prototype modules, initially assembled in urban factories, are then transported to rural areas, benefiting from established material supply and industrial processing support, minimizing carbon emissions during production.

 

The Superposition Village prototype is modular, emphasizing simplicity in disassembly, transportation, and reassembly. Designed for temporary use, the modules are easily relocated to new destinations after fulfilling their specific purpose. The interior of the cabin modules optimizes space utilization, promoting module intensification and recycling to economize on materials, space, transportation, and energy consumption throughout their life cycle, aligning with low carbon objectives.

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses of rural china
all images courtesy of IBR – Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co. Ltd.

 

 

pods are inserted into the houses’ existing structures

 

The renovation strategy by IBR – Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co. Ltd. aims to introduce a modern, low-carbon lifestyle in the village without disrupting the original residents’ habits. The cabin modules, inserted without altering the existing structures, maintain the framework and cultural elements of the houses, leaving no visual impact on the original architecture and minimizing construction waste. The cabins, composed of aluminum alloy and glass, seamlessly integrate with the original wooden structures. This integrated space serves as a retreat for living, working, and studying, preserving and incorporating local village cultures into the fabric of the project. Special efforts include inviting artists to illustrate daily activities, farming events, and local figures on village walls, creating a collaborative visual narrative between travelers and local residents.

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses of rural china
the pod is designed to perfectly fit the old building’s frame

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses of rural china
IBR’s Superposition Village Initiative explores ‘sojourning’ in rural China

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses of rural china
a plant wall made of modular boxes decorates the courtyard

modular cabins made of aluminum and glass embed into village houses of rural china
designed for temporary use, modules relocate easily after fulfilling specific purposes

Reference

Neuhäusl Hunal divide open-plan apartment using curved glass walls
CategoriesInterior Design

Neuhäusl Hunal divide open-plan apartment using curved glass walls

By Zarkon Group,

Czech architecture studio Neuhäusl Hunal has renovated a prefabricated apartment in Prague, turning it into an open-plan home and workspace for sculptor and glassworker Vladimír Bachorík.

Neuhäusl Hunal opted for curved translucent glass partitions in place of doors to divide the interior spaces and create a sense of openness and fluidity.

Neuhäusl Hunal renovate apartment in Prague using curved glass partitionsNeuhäusl Hunal renovate apartment in Prague using curved glass partitions
U-profiled glass partitions divide the interior spaces

In order to maximise floor space, the studio removed all non-load-bearing elements, leaving just a single load-bearing concrete wall that cuts through the living and workspaces.

Three U-profiled glass partitions were then used to enclose a cloakroom, storage space and kitchen, while the remaining floor space can be used flexibly.

Kitchen workspace in Prague apartment by Neuhäusl HunalKitchen workspace in Prague apartment by Neuhäusl Hunal
An existing load-bearing concrete wall separates the living and work spaces

A centralised, curved bathroom, raised by a small platform for waste management, is similarly enclosed by translucent glass panels and protrudes into the main space.

The bathroom interior was lined extensively with white ceramic tiles and features a walk-in shower.

Meanwhile, matching ceramic tiles were also used in the kitchen, which doubles as a work area for the artist.

Tiled bathroom designed by Neuhäusl Hunal in PragueTiled bathroom designed by Neuhäusl Hunal in Prague
White mosaic tiles line the kitchen and bathroom

“To design the maximally open and flowing space without doors, infrastructure, besides statics, was a key constraint, which defines the location of the single-almost-enclosed space: the bathroom,” studio architect and founder David Neuhäusl told Dezeen.

“Therefore we emphasized [the bathroom] as the most prominent element in the apartment to create a strong spatial experience,” Neuhäusl continued.

The interior material palette was defined by the stripped concrete wall as well as the translucent panels and ceramic tiles, set on a background of white plaster walls and grey-toned rubber flooring.

Metal furniture and shelving was used throughout the minimalist interior, with cubic plinths used to display Bachorík’s glasswork around the space.

Neuhäusl Hunal renovate apartment for sculptor in the Czech Republic Neuhäusl Hunal renovate apartment for sculptor in the Czech Republic
Existing windows draw daylight into the interior spaces

Daylight shines through the existing windows at either end of the apartment and penetrates the glass partitions to create a brightly lit interior, while carefully positioned strip lights and spotlights provide artificial lighting.

“These translucent glass blocks of high order ensure the penetration of light and create identity of the apartment,” Neuhäusl explained.

“Their materiality and character naturally refer to the client’s lifelong work. They can be naturally composed in curves to formulate the softly shaped partitions.”

Curved glass partitions divide bedroom interior of Sculptor's ApartmentCurved glass partitions divide bedroom interior of Sculptor's Apartment
Metal furniture is used throughout the space

Neuhäusl Hunal is an architecture studio founded by David Neuhäusl and Matěj Hunal in the Czech Republic.

Other projects recently completed in the Czech Republic include a winery topped with a sweeping concrete roof and an angular black extension to a neo-gothic church.

The photography is by Radek Úlehla.

Reference

PAU places glass structure in shell of Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar refinery
CategoriesArchitecture

PAU places glass structure in shell of Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar refinery

By Zarkon Group,

Local architecture studio Practice for Architecture and Urbanism has installed a glass office building with a vaulted roof inside the shell of the 19th-century Domino Sugar Refinery on the waterfront in Brooklyn.

Called the Refinery, the 12-storey building is the conversion of an industrial factory into a contemporary office, reflecting how the borough’s architectural needs have shifted.

Building with historical brick facade wrapping new glass building
PAU has placed a glass office building with the shell of a historic sugar refinery

The structure is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Refinery site, developed by Two Trees Management with a master plan by SHoP Architects and Field Operations.

For the Refinery, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) wanted to create a functioning office space that kept the facade of the Romanesque Revival structure.

Park with restored Domino Refinery in background
The structure is part of the larger Domino Sugar redevelopment in Brooklyn

“We’re not shortchanging today for some nostalgia,” PAU principal Ruchika Modi told Dezeen.

“What was really important was this idea of palimpsest and embracing what was on the site without becoming slavish to history.”

Vaulted glass ceiling on Domino Sugar Refinery
The office structure is topped with a large glass vault

Because of the floor configuration, the original building could not simply be adapted.

The floorplan was industrial with large cavernous spaces inside, so the studio opted for keeping the historic building’s facade intact while putting a whole new building inside of it.

View from gap between the brick and glass walls
Beams attach the old facade to the new curtain walls

“It’s not a conventional adaptive reuse project in the sense of going into a warehouse building and adapting it,” Modi continued.

“There was no building to adapt. And if we were to just go in and fill in the missing floors, it would lead to a really weird, idiosyncratic, completely bizarre, you know, interior configuration.”

Trees in gap between brick and glass
Planters in the gap hold trees

Instead, the new glass building sits back from the preexisting masonry and is anchored to it with metal beams that connect to the new building’s curtain walls.

This gap allows for light to filter in through the windows and creates space for a “vertical garden” between the brick wall and the curtain walls.

Architectural details such as a large smokestack from the original structure were preserved on the facade.

Office within Domino Sugar refinery building
The gap allows for the offices to have more natural light

The studio also used some of the original structural detailing to guide the new structure, such as a cantilevered glass overlook that juts out from the gap in the facade where an industrial chute once sat and has views of the Field Operations-designed parks on the site.

The new structure consists of 460,000 square feet (42,735 square metres) of offices with floor plans that differ depending on needs and a vast penthouse that sits directly underneath the glazed vaulted roof.

From the offices, inhabitants can catch views of the Manhattan skyline across the East River or of the urban environment of the Williamsburg neighbourhood in Brooklyn.

According to the studio, the building also runs on all-electric power.

View from vaulted glass ceiling
The building sits on the East River across from Manhattan

On the ground floor is a triple-height atrium lobby with amenities spaces and retail. A replica LED sign displaying the Domino Sugar logo brand was hung from the river-facing facade.

The structure sits between two larger structures, a pair of linked skyscrapers by CookFox Architects and two in-progress skyscrapers clad in porcelain by Selldorf Architects.

Domino Sugar sign
A replica sign was installed on the exterior

The Refinery had been in operation for 120 years when it closed in 2004. The site was bought by Two Trees Management in 2012.

A six-acre park by Field Operations holds the space between the developments and the East River and has become a popular park for the local public.

Since being commissioned for the Refinery, PAU has landed a commission, along with HOK, to redevelop the beleaguered Penn Station in Manhattan.

The photography is by Max Touhey.

Reference

A coating for glass cools buildings and greenhouses
CategoriesSustainable News

A coating for glass cools buildings and greenhouses

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Exacerbated by recent extreme weather temperatures and drought across the country, the UK’s production of greenhouse-grown vegetables decreased in 2022 for the seventh year in a row. At the same time, the need for increased irrigation plus rising costs of fuel, energy, and plant protection products means that traditional field agricultural methods remain stressed.  

Innovators everywhere are struggling to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as possible. UK agtech company Albotherm’s founding team identified greenhouses and commercial high rises as two of the areas with the greatest opportunities for savings. Set up as a means of using science for good, the company created a reversible coating for glass that transitions between transparent in cool temperatures to opaque in heat. 

Because the coating changes format depending on the temperature it has been programmed to respond to, there is little to no maintenance required after application, and it can be left on year-round with no risk of blocking essential sunlight in the winter months. The coating can be set to transition at any temperature between 18 and 45 degrees Celsius.  

The traditional technique of painting greenhouses with opaque white, chalk-based paint in spring and then removing it in autumn is effective at blocking heat, yet it can also limit crop growth. In contrast, Albotherm’s technology increased crop yields by up to 34 per cent in trials. And with the closing of its £1.6 million (around €1.9 million) seed funding round, the company plans to scale up its manufacturing capabilities, complete large-scale commercial pilots in 2024, and prepare for a 2025 official product launch. Further development will focus on expanding the company’s product line for use on commercial buildings, where energy efficiency could save millions in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) costs.  

Two other innovations spotted in Springwise’s archive that focus on reducing HVAC costs are net-zero glass and adjustable sunshades.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

Studio Other Spaces museum courtyard in “canopy of glass and mirrors”
CategoriesArchitecture

Studio Other Spaces museum courtyard in “canopy of glass and mirrors”

By Zarkon Group,

Artist Olafur Eliasson and architect Sebastian Behmann’s firm Studio Other Spaces has created a sculptural work called Common Sky to enclose an open-air courtyard at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

Created as part of a renovation of the museum led by architecture studio OMA’s New York office, Common Sky is a massive glass and mirror canopy created from hundreds of overlapping mirror and glass panels.

The installation encloses an open-air courtyard in the 1962 modernist Seymour H Knox Building designed by American architect Gordon Bunshaft, which was largely unused.

Glass canopy at buffalo museum
Studio Other Spaces created a canopy to enclose a courtyard in a mid-century Buffalo museum

“Common Sky is a dynamic, sculptural statement that combines a geometric language and a playful, poetic approach,” said Studio Other Spaces (SOS) co-founder Olafur Eliasson.

“As an artwork, it sensitizes you to the world outside, to the surrounding environment of Buffalo.”

“It draws your attention to things that are difficult to measure, and to things that depend on emotion and on your active involvement.”

View of the canopy from under the canopy
The canopy is made of alternating glass and steels layered on top of each other with a steel frame

The canopy is made from alternating mirror and glass panels, with two layers supported by white-painted steel, giving the structure depth.

At the centre of the courtyard, the panels coalesce into a funnel that meets the ground at the place where a hawthorn tree once stood in order to reference the history of the space. This tree-like form also supports the structure so as to eliminate the need for an additional support system, keeping the canopy open.

The choice to use mirrors instead of having an all-glass canopy came from a desire to create an insulating effect for the canopy.

Close up view of panels
The glass panels reflect sunlight, minimising heat gain

The mirrors reflect sunlight away from the canopy, which minimises heat gain within the canopy and reduces the need for air conditioning.

Light coming through the alternating panels creates a play of glare and shadow on the stone floor of the space, which is lined by a covered veranda on two sides.

SOS said that the choice in material and form was chosen to keep the connection with the environment that existed with the courtyard through “non-classical architectural” while respecting the style of the Bunshaft design.

Museum exterior view
The new courtyard is accessible to the public

“The structure forms a unique design that takes into account all of the surrounding elements from the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, including the park, and neighboring buildings,” said SOS co-founder Sebastian Behmann.

“We created a site-specific artwork that amplifies the existing situation and combines it with the idea of a modern courtyard.”

The use of glass also mirrors the new museum building designed by OMA for the site, which is enveloped in a glass facade.

As part of the revamp of the museum, OMA also created a new entrance to the Seymour H Knox Building, so the public can access the courtyard from the adjacent Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Delaware Park.

The studio worked with engineer Herwig Bretis from ArtEngineering and Petersberg-based steel constructor Hahner Technik on the project.

Low-light view of the canopy
the canopy funnels down to the ground at the spot where a hawthorn tree once stood

Studio Other Spaces was founded in 2014 in Berlin by Behmann and Eliasson.

Its other works include an “anti-monument” consisting of several diverse buildings in Ethiopia and a colourful, conical glass pavilion for a winery in California.

The photography is by Marco Cappelletti and Studio Other Spaces.

Reference

Glass blocks divide Eye Eye optical store by Best Practice Architecture
CategoriesInterior Design

Glass blocks divide Eye Eye optical store by Best Practice Architecture

By Zarkon Group,

Local studio Best Practice Architecture has used punchy colours, glass bricks and dichroic glass inside an optometry store in Seattle’s Leschi neighbourhood.

For Eye Eye‘s second location, founder Will Pentecost got back in touch with Best Practice Architecture, which had completed the brand’s first brick-and-mortar store back in 2015.

Eye Eye retail space with cutout ceiling to add extra height
Cutouts in the low ceiling add extra height to the Eye Eye retail space

Unlike the inaugural space, the new store does not benefit from tall ceilings and a strong street presence.

So the architects had to get creative to turn the “drab” commercial building into a fun and inviting environment.

Glass block partitions divide the store
Glass block partitions are angled to create a more dynamic space

“The client gave Best Practice free range to transform the interior with only three requests: include glass blocks, use lit signage, and incorporate design language from the original location without being too repetitive,” said the studio.

The retail area is situated at the front of the space, facing the street through large windows, while the examination rooms and staff facilities can be found at the back.

Glasses displayed on shelves with the glass block partitions
Niches in the partitions contain mirrors and product displays

The specified glass blocks are used to divide the store, forming angled walls with openings that feature mirrors, product displays and furniture that spans both sides.

“Carefully placed to create an interesting circulation flow and contrast with the orthogonal layout, the clever design provides both form and function, welcoming filtered daylight deep into the space while accommodating basic retail needs,” said Best Practice.

Purple banquette beneath illuminated graphic of concentric arcs
A purple banquette is tucked in a corner for casual consultations

Cutouts in the low ceiling add extra height and expose ductwork that is painted purple – a hue that’s repeated in the upholstery of a banquette tucked in the corner for consultations.

More purple covers the walls in the examination reception area, which is separated from the store by a screen of dichroic glass that changes colour depending on the angle from which it’s viewed.

The glass blocks appear again as a partition between the clinic reception and the exam rooms behind, which are outfitted with custom medical equipment and wood cabinetry.

Signage that echoes the original Eye Eye branding is also installed in the retail space, including a concentric circle that echoes vintage eye tests and two large “E” letterforms.

Dichroic glass partition
A dichroic glass screen separates the retail space from the examination area

“With this new space, Best Practice brings Eye Eye’s vision to life once again through an exploration of materiality, the patient experience, and a fresh take on a commercial space,” said the studio. “It’s an eye care clinic reimagined.”

Founded in 2011 by Ian Butcher, Best Practice Architecture has completed a variety of projects in and around its home city of Seattle.

Exam room at Eye Eye
Exam rooms are outfitted with custom medical equipment and wood cabinetry

These range from updating a historic bungalow and transforming a storage shed into backyard studio, to designing a men’s footwear store.

The photography is by Rafael Soldi.

Project credits:

Architect: Best Practice Architecture
Design team: partner in charge: Kailin Gregga; partner/principal architect: Ian Butcher; lead designer/project architect: Sarah Smith
Contractor: Metis Construction
Graphics and branding: Drew Hamlet
Custom signage: Western Neon
Custom casework: Creoworks

Reference

Sustainable building cladding made of recycled glass 
CategoriesSustainable News

Sustainable building cladding made of recycled glass 

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Right now, people are undergoing massive efforts to make sure humanity slashes its greenhouse gases. From individuals making eco-conscious choices to researchers trying to uproot the wasteful systems we use, our global response strengthens day by day. Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) researchers are a player in this effort, with their new fire-safe building claddings made from recycled glass. 

Alongside materials technology company Livefield, the RMIT team worked to make the composite cladding, which the team claims is cheap, structurally robust, and fire-resistant. The sustainable innovators use 83 per cent recycled glass to make their claddings, along with relatively low amounts of plastic binders and fire-retardant additives.  

According to lead researcher Associate Professor Dilan Robert, we make a lot of glass waste. In fact, about 130 million tonnes of glass are produced yearly, with only 21 per cent of this being recycled. “By using high amounts of recycled glass in building claddings while ensuring they meet fire safety and other standards, we are helping to find a solution to the very real waste challenge,” explains Robert. 

After passing the central compliance requirement of claddings set by Standards Australia, panels were installed at RMIT’s Bundoora campus to prove the technology’s feasibility.  

Springwise has previously spotted other innovations that strive to make building materials more sustainable, including a rubber made from recycled rubber and construction waste and a technical wood designed around the sustainable use of wood.

Written By: Georgia King

Reference

A glass brick that collects solar energy
CategoriesSustainable News

A glass brick that collects solar energy

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: In the UK, Solar PV capacity reached 12 gigawatts of energy in 2021. Yet, the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) estimates that only around 900,000 of the 24 million homes in the country currently rely on solar power. There is much room for improvement, and one of the easiest ways to incorporate renewable energy generation into a home or building is by embedding the technology into construction materials.  

Professor Tapas Mallick and Dr. Hasan Baig, two University of Exeter researchers, have created Build Solar in order to do just that. Built with patent-pending technology, the Solar Squared glass brick is a direct replacement for traditional glass building materials. Solar Squared bricks let light through, just like current glass building materials do. The difference is that Build Solar’s new blocks generate sustainable energy as well. The bricks are available in several patterns and colours, in addition to the typical clear glass.  

Usable in a variety of structures, including commercial spaces, public transport hubs, and housing, the Solar Squared blocks improve a building’s thermal insulation efficiency while providing daylight and renewable energy. The company’s goal is to contribute to carbon-neutral construction and building management and is currently seeking sites in which to test and showcase the technology. 

Springwise has spotted other innovations seeking to make renewable energy more accessible, including nailable and wearable solar panels.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

New net-zero glass reduces heating costs
CategoriesSustainable News

New net-zero glass reduces heating costs

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: The energy crisis is impacting everyone, and the situation has only gotten worse with the invasion of Ukraine. What has become apparent over the years is that as energy prices have risen, inefficient designs and techniques have played an increasingly big part in contributing to the financial costs of living and working in older buildings. For instance, a building with inefficient windows will lose around two-thirds of its heat through the glass.  

Now, a patent-pending innovation by LuxWall called Net Zero Glass reduces building carbon emissions and energy consumption by up to 45 per cent. The windows consist of two vacuum-insulated coated glass (VIG) panes that are installed from inside the building, making it much quicker and easier to retrofit as tenants experience minimal disruption.  

The panes act like a thermos bottle, reducing the transfer of heat and cool air via convection, conduction, and radiation. Heat from the sun’s rays is reflected, and HVAC conditions inside the structure are blocked from leaving the space.  

The company recently closed a Series A funding round that raised $33 million (around €30.8 million). The funds will be used to scale production at the business’s first purpose-built commercial factory. If the glass technology is used widely throughout the world, the company could support an annual global carbon emission reduction of more than half a gigatonne.  

Springwise has spotted window technology providing a range of new services, from Wi-Fi alternatives to nature scenes for rooms without access to natural light or green views.  

Written By: Keely Khoury

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