Architecture is often about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As building engineers, you constantly utilise technology to build more innovative, energy-efficient structures. One new automation trend is anything but traditional—touch screen glass or smart glass.
Smart glass controls the amount of light and glare in space by changing opacity with the touch of a button. Smart glass technology has existed for years but is only now becoming popular due to its many benefits—including energy savings, better indoor air quality and improved security.
Here are a few ways Smart Glass design is changing the face of architecture.
Smart Glass Design Reduces Impact on the Environment
In an increasingly changing climate, architects are considering more and more ways to reduce their impact on the environment. One of the most effective ways to do this is using smart glass in your designs. Smart glass regulates light and noise in buildings and has many other benefits that make it an asset to any architectural design project.
Smart glass can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- To create privacy (as residential smart glass windows)
- To control lighting levels inside a building
- As a safety feature
Change Opacity With the Touch of a Button?
In addition to being transparent, smart glass can also be opaque. One example is the “frosted” glass ubiquitous in offices and homes. These types of smart glass comprise tiny air pockets embedded in the material, making it appear opaque from the outside but letting light shine through from the inside.
Another example is electrochromic smart glass, which changes opacity when an electric current passes through it. A button or switch can be used to control this feature—it’s like a window shade for your whole house! Suppose you’re feeling particularly lazy one day. In that case, you can set up a timer on your phone to automatically make your smart glass windows partially or fully transparent at any designated time (or keep them clear all day).
The Rise of Smart Glass Market Expansion to $2 Billion
The smart glass design market was valued at $2 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow exponentially within the next decade. This exponential growth can be attributed to several factors:
- New technology has made smart glass more affordable than ever, making it an attractive option for architects and designers looking to incorporate unique design elements into their projects.
- Automation has become increasingly important in glass architecture design, allowing buildings to be more efficient and sustainable. In addition to saving utilities, automation also reduces labour costs due to fewer workers needed to upkeep buildings and decreased need for maintenance services.
- Many architects are looking towards the future regarding sustainability—and with good reason! The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has issued a bold new vision, and green building construction methods could potentially cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40% annually by 2030 if widely adopted today (and even more if implemented on a global scale).
It’s a growing market for some good reasons;
- It’s an innovative and effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.
- It’s a new way to market your business and attract tenants
- It can help you stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
Final Thoughts
The smart glass design shows tremendous potential in the world of architecture. It combines several useful features into one highly functional product, making it an exciting area for designers to explore. As smart glass technology continues to evolve and more capabilities are added, more possibilities will open up for architects by utilising smart glass in their plans, making glass building design.
We hope this article has given you some insight into how smart glass is revolutionising the face of architecture. The future is bright, and it’s up to us to ensure that we’re prepared for it by keeping our fingers on the pulse of what’s new in technology to embrace the latest innovations before anyone else does!
Visit AV Discovery for more information on Smart Glass design solutions.
