Technology hybridization for multi-performance variable glazing

The current tendency of contemporary architecture to consider the glass surface as an “interface” between two environments in which a constant exchange takes place “between two substances placed in contact” takes place finds in the glazed elements in the building envelope a vehicle for process and product innovation, both characterized by a focus on forms of contamination/interaction of techniques and materials. These innovations have led both to an improvement of fixed performance products – insulating and laminated glass, absorbing and reflective, selective, low-emissivity – and to an increase of variable performance glazing – transparent aerogels, electrochromic, thermochromic, illuminating, solar electric-generating, etc. The result is the tendency of glass sheets to become a variable multi-performance system that aims to create highly usable and accessible products, with the involvement of sense organs and contamination of creative forms; and to the creation of adaptive facades, which is understood as adaptive to environmental conditions as well as to the user inside. The paper traces the main product and process innovation trajectories of glass panes.