Glass and Glazing Design Academy
Brought to you by National Glass Association
7 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIA LU/Elective
With its visual beauty and structural strength, it is no wonder that glass is among the oldest and most versatile building materials, having been used for centuries—with evidence of its use dating back to Roman times. Today, glass plays an important role in design for its ability to provide clear, sustainable solutions in a range of building applications, whether it is making connections between a building and nature or enhancing human comfort and wellness in myriad ways. Plus, with improvements and innovations in glass and glazing technology, glass is frequently at the forefront of dramatic yet functional architectural design. From coatings that offer energy-efficient performance to protective glazing that offers safety and security, glass remains a tried-and-true building material for the ages.
Academy Resources
National Glass Association Resources
Clear and reflective architectural glass in residential and commercial structures in urban, suburban, and rural landscapes can be a passive invisible killer of birds worldwide. Our collective evidence reveals that clear and reflective windows of all sizes are theorized to be invisible to potentially all birds due to what have been defined as fly-through conditions, reflected habitat conditions, or black-hole effect. The amount of glass and associated vegetation that attract potential victims best explain the number of casualties at any specific building.
Retail, medical, educational and manufacturing facilities are implementing changes due to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, a respiratory illness believed to spread primarily by droplets from coughs or sneezes of infected persons to those nearby. Many businesses are installing clear personal protective barriers to physically shield employees from each other and from consumers to reduce potential exposure to the virus. In many applications, the barriers will become a permanent fixture; therefore, aesthetics and cleanability are important design considerations. Barriers can be constructed of plastic sheet or glass. Glass has several advantages in physical barrier applications and may be preferred over plastic, especially for permanent and public-facing barrier installations. Compared to plastic, glass is easy-to-clean, transparent and aesthetically-pleasing.
For as long as building construction has existed, architects and designers have recognized the power of the sun to provide natural light. In today's modern world, the architectural and design community continue to incorporate techniques that harness natural light to create comfortable, energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing interiors.
Daylighting is a center-stage issue for commercial facade design. It's recently been a much- discussed topic within the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1 - Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings Envelope Subcommittee. It is a priority issue for the skylights industry. New glazing options with impressive light-to-solar-gain ratios open up new possibilities. Studies quantifying the benefits of daylight and views for student performance have spurred architects to advance the design of day lit schools.
