Glass in architecture : an investigation on the rational use of modern glazing materials in Sri Lankan tropical climate : final report

Abstract

Since the invention of glass, it has been used for openings in buildings primarily light and ventilation regulator. However, this function has been transformed to various other purposes with the time. During this transformation glass became a material used irrationally. It is most commonly observed that either unsuitable material is used or right material is used in an incorrect manner.

In 1900s, the usage of glass in constructing an average house, was restricted to windows. Today glass is used for nearly every kind of building where the external surfaces consisting up to 90% glass is fairly common. Architects of the modem movement were the first to move towards the extensive use of glass. Architects like Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, Philip Johnson, Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius employed glass extensively in their work. Since then during the last five decades glass had become one of the mostly used material in buildings almost all over the world despite the differences in culture, climate and other functional requirements.

Some buildings even use “structural glazing systems” where only glass (not even frames or other fixtures) is visible from outside. In other words glass becoming neat envelopes for buildings, especially for high rises. Also it has a high potential to be exploited to derive different qualities of spaces and expressions such as prestige, lightweight, softness etc. Regardless of climate, culture, purposes/functions of the building, glass is used in high percentages mainly because of its sleek elegant out look, irrational use causes unavoidable practical problems such as glare, heat buildup, loss of privacy, safety, rising cost in application, maintenance and energy management etc., on user comfort in Sri Lankan context.

Though glass is a material that can be successfully used to achieve expressive qualities, much care has to be taken in employing design decisions. Creating a user-friendly environment while keeping in touch with new trends is a challenge in front of architects and designers. Therefore, it is important to know how to make use of this exciting material in correct proportions and alternative ways to get the required expression. This study is an attempt to find out how to balance the utilitarian and expressive uses of glass. I