Week 7 report sustainable

WEEK 7 REPORT SUSTAINABLE
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Structural Glass
In building the skin is a vital architectural consideration. A building system that combines both the performance and aesthetic is highly desirable. The use of glass as a building envelope material has been on the rise since its discovery as a building material. In the twentieth century its use accelerated due to the “development of high-rise steel framing systems and curtain wall cladding techniques.” There have been little changes in the use of glass as building skin envelope. However, much has changed in building arts as much as aesthetics and performance are concerned as well as structural systems.[Behling, Sophia, and Stefan Behling. Glass: structure and technology in architecture. Prestel, London, 1999.]
Historical Context
The use of glass as a building material is not new. Over the past three decades it has been used in innovative experimental structures to determine its worthiness in buildings. It has its roots in Northern Europe and its use can be traced to several projects of pioneering architects and engineers. In his book Glass in Architecture Michael Wigginton states that, “Glass is arguably the most remarkable material ever discovered by man.” The first glass was manufactured during the 1st Century AD when Phoenician sailors who used to trade in soda cooking. They also used to soda to support their cooking pots. This combination of sand, ash and heat resulted in a vague translucent material. No one knows for sure the ideas of this discovery but it is considered to be an accident.[Wiggington, Micahel. Glass In Architecture, Phaidon, London. 1996.]
Years later, during the Roman Empire glass was refined to mix that is almost similar to the present soda lime glass used to manufacture flat glass: 69% silica, 17% soda, 11% lime and magnesia, and 3% alumina, iron oxide and manganese oxide. This recipe was developed during the late 18th and early 19th centuries (Wiggington, 1996). Structure and technology in architecture, Prestel London
In the modern world with great improvements in technology it is impossible for one to think of a world of building and construction without glass. Imagine of the present built environment of any building and instantly the glass disa...