Invisibility, Dichroic Effect and Colour: Unique Optical Properties of Special Glass realized in Creative Façades

Dr. Marten Walther, SCHOTT AG

Four different case studies will show the realization of transparency in corporate philosophy.

It becomes manifest in the more than 30 m long transparent entrance hall; in conjunction with a pre-stressed cable system, antireflective glasses offer unique visibility of the depth of the entrance hall. Anti-reflection (AR) coatings on low iron float glass with more than 97% optical transmission let you forget the wall as a separating element.

Combining glasses with different reflective characteristics results in a façade that shows the highly versatile aesthetic nature of glass. Colour effect glass integrated with different reflecting areas yields a unique appearance.

A last example will lead us to the aesthetics of coloured glass used in the facade to create a wonderful and inspiring atmosphere, observed from the inside as well as from the outside of the building. Daring to use such coloured windows to illuminate offices and workspaces was a risk taken by the architect. The expressed satisfaction of the people working in this building proved this concept right, encouraging even more projects with partially tinted glass facades.

These case studies will demonstrate the genesis of innovative building designs on basis of architectural objectives by using special glasses for architectural applications.

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The Authors

Dr. Marten Walther Head of Production SCHOTT AG Dr. Marten Walther obtained a PhD in Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Braunschweig in 1991. He is currently head of the Production of antireflective glasses at SCHOTT in Grünenpla... Read more