STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

Barriers to Implementation
As with any emergent building technology, implementation requires an important element of
education to take place in the building community. Implementers must develop their design
techniques, then identify qualified fabricators and inform them as to the particular
considerations of material and process in demanding architectural application. Similarly,
installers must be informed of appropriate means and methods, the tools and techniques
required to assure an efficient erection process.
Perhaps most important is to inform the design community regarding the new technology.
There is a burgeoning interest among the design community in these new façade
technologies, but a widespread lack of technical familiarity with them. While many of the
larger architectural offices have experimented with these new façade forms, a great many
more small and midsize firms would like to utilize them in their designs but are not
comfortable with their capability to do so. A few specialty-consulting firms are available to
facilitate this work, but project budgets frequently exclude their participation. Lack of
familiarity by the design community can quite effectively limit the growth of new technology.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis presented here is that strategies can be developed to accelerate the
diffusion of new and innovative technology into a broader market. More specifically, this
thesis proposes to develop a comprehensive methodology incorporating design resources,
guidelines, tools and learning programs to facilitate the implementation of structural glass
façade technology. Central to this strategy is informing the building community regarding
new and innovative technology, and providing the architect with a simplified methodology to
facilitate the development of appropriate conceptual designs without the requirement of a
paid specialty consultant. In a broader context, this thesis explores the implementation of
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