Glass in Architecture

Flat glass admits natural daylight, provides unique design options, and improves the quality of indoor life. For these reasons as well as the technical advances in its production and large area coating technologies, glass produced by the float process has become a distinct and pervasive building material in modern architecture. Esthetic choices reflect the unique design concept of the architect; on the other hand, the energy performance of the window glass, which is well understood and measurable, allows the builder to identify the optimum product for different regional climates. This article will review the state of art in flat glass and coated glass technology and will discuss the esthetic and optical characteristics of commercial glasses. It will also provide a phenomenological account of heat transfer across glazings. Finally, several recent trends in architectural glass technology will be presented.