A GLASS APART

GLASS BUILDINGS ARE BECOMING POPULAR IN CONSTRUCTION DUE TO THEIR ABILITY TO BE TRANSPARENT, RECYCLABLE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT.

- BINDU GOPAL RAO

When compared with other building materials, glass clearly stands out as an eco-friendly alternative and this is probably why the material is finding favour with architects and interiors alike.

NOVEL NUANCES

The use of glass in buildings is often dictated by the type of climate around the building. In warmer climatic conditions, high-performance glazing is used which keeps the temperature cool and helps minimise the use of air conditioning. During winters, coated glasses are handy as they retain the heat inside the building, thus protecting against chilly weather. In the past few decades, the use of glass in buildings has remarkably increased. As a result, several transparent buildings have been constructed, in which the materials have almost disappeared. Ar. Kamlesh Kriplani, Director and Principal Architect, Purple Leaf Design Studios Pvt. Ltd, says, “Despite high standards, construction costs must not get out of hand. Large expanses of glass façades provide enormous possibilities because glass combined with steel allows filigree shapes in building skins. In general, glass is considered a dominant construction material in modern architecture these days as it makes a visual statement, while offering multiple technical functionalities at the same time.” It may or may not be a coincidence that glass rhymes with class. All glass facades are synonymous with a clean, chic look, leaving viewers with a feeling of seeing something that is a cut above the rest.

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