Beyond transparency : Glass in structure

Beyond Transparency : Glass in Structure
INTRODUCTION TO FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT
As we are learning in this class, glass is a singular term for a material that now has an infinitely
divergent set of physical attributes. Our assumptions about the properties of glass are constantly being
challenged by modern science and manufacturing techniques. Yet architectural applications still tend toward
the conventional. Is this because of a failure of imagination? Or is it simply a lack of understanding of
how glass can really perform? How do we as designers take part in the reinvention of the material
GLASS?

OBJECTIVE
Begin to define your major topic for research.
FIRST Identify what you will be designing in glass. You can focus on a piece or part of a studio project, current or past. Or if you don’t have an appropriate studio project and prefer to do something else, please contact me and we can develop a suitable alternative.
Please consider the following, but do not feel limited by this list:
HORIZONTAL SYSTEMS such as FLOOR 1 (transition): INTEGRATED WITH OTHER SYSTEM
FLOOR 2 (independent): BRIDGE/LINK STAIR: COMPONENT or SYSTEM
ROOF 1 (transition): ATRIUM
ROOF 2 (independent): CANOPY, BAND SHELL, EVENT SPACE
VERTICAL SYSTEMS such as WALL 1 (weatherproof):

UNITIZED CURTAIN WALL (consider fabrication and installation)
WALL 2 (weatherproof): MINIMALLY SUPPORTED WALL, HIGH % GLASS
WALL 3 (weatherproof): WINDOW WALL, LOW % GLASS
WALL 4 (not weatherproof): ART WALL, PARTITION, PROJECTION SURFACE
FREEFORM systems?
THEN Define a set of questions for the research.

What possibilities for glass fascinate me? ( glass transparency play : how light goes through
glass /
Glass as shading system itself )
What attributes am I interested in for the use identified above? Attributes include, but again, are
not limited by this list: Thermal (transmission/absorption/rejection of light/heat)? Structural
(tension/compression/bending)? Optical (reflection/refraction/transmission/distortion/etc)?
Prepare information on your research topic that covers the two areas above consisting of the
following:
DELIVERABLES :
A visual presentation to share with the class. Please limit this to 15 minutes long. This can
consist of sketches, renderings, photographs, or drawings of your proposed project, as well as precedent
images/video/audio. Have this presentation ready to be uploaded on LMS.
A brief narrative abstract articulating your intentions for this research. Please strive for 400
words, not including bibliographic references (if applicable). Upload this as well on LMS along with your
visual presentation. Please be sure to cover both topics in this submission. What am I designing? What
questions am I asking? Neither 15 minutes nor 400 words are generous dimensions, so be
judicious and intentional with the material you choose to present.

MY TOPIC / TOPIC CHOSEN TO DEVELOP :
GLASS TRANSPARENCY PLAY : Clear / opaque / transparent ?
Test glass as a shading system.
How the use of different type of glass together (IGU, 2 layers of glass) or 1 type of glass ( ex
laminated ) can create different kind of shading systems during the day (like maybe during the
day the glass appears as a mirror from the outside facade, and during the night you can clearly
see the transparency inside, or vice versa)
– Find attached more details about the assignment
– Drawings sketches etc of a part detail assembly construction detail of the glass shading system
only using different types of glass
– 2 options :
a) use 1 type of glass ( ex : laminated )
b) choose 2 or 3 types of glass ( IGU )
if option b is chosen :
1) define what is in between the layers of glass and why
2) define what are the layers of glass chosen and why
3) identify manufacturers of those layers and the specs of the glass

4) identify the r value and u value of the types of glass chosen in order to get a specific shading
system ( we have to play with the r and u value to get to that )
5) see what comes up from the experimentation ( can be many options )
6) check example : 15 union square building new york, or other projects with glass used as a shading system or play ( glass acts differently at different times of the day ) find attached assignment description + a quick sketch describing the igu option..