Glass and Glazing Design Academy

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.