The world wide appeal of smart glass:
The Hindu: Glass and Its Possibilites
The role of glass in architecture, construction, interiors and décor is on the rise. Among the major architectural duties it executes are transmission of light, providing view of outside from inside, acoustical isolation and preserving thermal condition. Just as human eyes are sometimes described as “windows to the soul” glass panes are the eyes of the buildings providing the view of the world that passes by us.
Glass has become indispensable for green buildings, for its ability to provide transparency. Moreover, it is a recyclable and non toxic material. It also harmonises the internal atmosphere with the outer environment. No wonder, then that architects are discovering newer uses for glass in designs in transforming our living and working spaces.
Capturing attention
Glass panels, panes and mirrors, be they sheer opaque, translucent, brittle, granular, etched or embossed, or irregular in surface and texture or flawlessly smooth, have come to capture architects’ attention in a major way. Glass is now getting blended with newer technologies to combine its conventional role with modern automation. For instance, inter-glass venetian blinds i.e., blinds operating electronically between two glass sheets, have made it possible for blinds to curtain off light in a variety of ways.
Grorich Horivert, a company specialising in shading and light diffusion products, produces insulated glass blinds as well as smart windows and doors that can be switched on and off to make them transparent or opaque as per the need to block or allow light.
According to Sree Nair, Managing Director, of the company which has its plant in Bangalore, the company has brought in Japanese technology which works on suspended particle devices (SPDs).
SPD is a thin film laminate of rod-like particles suspended in a liquid and placed in between two pieces of glass or plastic. When no voltage is applied the suspended particles are randomly organised, thus blocking and absorbing light. When voltage is applied, the suspended particles align and let light pass. With varying voltage, the tint of the glass panes can be regulated. Grorich even manufactures interglass blinds i.e. blinds sandwiched between glass sheets which are motorised.
These can be rolled up and down or operate as venetian blind or come even in honeycomb shapes. The blinds can even be operated by remote controls. The company even produces roof blinds which can be operated to open or close thereby allowing or barricading the sunlight or view of the night sky. However, these are not entirely rain-safe.
Toughened and tempered
A great variety of toughened and tempered glasses too are entering the modern buildings. Glass aficionados can now opt for laminated glass or LED Glass for staircases. The Laminated Glass is held in place by an interlayer when shattered. LED (light emission diode) glass staircases, facades or even showcases keep glowing. LED glass is supplied with power through a laminated glass capable of conducting electricity without any distracting wires. The electrical power is supplied by nearly invisible circuit boards in the base glass. Glass pillars or balustrades made of LED could turn the ambience magical, especially with the multi-chrome LEDs.
While this interplay of electronics and glass is leading to interesting possibilities in architecture, glass and mirrors are rated as top rated agents of décor and art. Says Vinay Kothari, Partner, Magnum Glass Concepts, there are as many as five hundred varieties of glass and Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) can cut and polish glass with high degree of precision and superb finish. Glass engraving and glass fusing allow masterpieces for homes and offices. Magnum’s stained glass creates exquisite chandeliers, while Lacquered Glass comes handy for interiors in kitchens bathrooms and cupboards. Yet another variety, Proglass encapsulates beautiful fabrics from Nya Nordiska inside. According to Kothari, glass is adaptable even for flooring while Titanium Glass is used for mirrors.
Glass when transformed into mirror imparts luminosity as well as reflectivity to interiors. While even Magnum produces art mirrors, Muradabad based Jansons has been specialising in manufacturing large-sized, high-end ornate mirrors for export to hotels in the West. Says Adnan Tanvir, Director, Sales and Operations, Mirall Décor (a subsidiary of Jansons), their mirrors adorn interiors of hotels of leading hospitality chain in the US, Canada and entire Europe. He says the company has exported ornate mirrors worth Rs. 5 crore during the last financial year. Glass had been on the construction scene for nearly a thousand years with spires of hoary churches all across Europe using stained glass for decoration and play of light into their interiors. But today it is being combined with stone, wood, metal and even electronics for a strong visual and tactile effect. |
