STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

7.1 A Simple Case
The theory is that if the required deliverables are simplified as represented in Figure 7.1, the
architect is provided with a contextual methodology for implementing innovative technology.
The opportunity in this context is for the architect to develop conceptual designs for
structural glass facades without the involvement of paid specialist consultants. If this
approach is to work, simplified design tools, techniques, and information to support the
methodology must be available to facilitate utilization of the core technology. An effort has
been made in this thesis to reduce the technology of structural glass facades as represented
by the cumulative completed works as identified herein to a simplified, basic, generalized
form. Structural system types, glass types and glass-fixing systems, the primary components
of this technology, have all been analyzed, categorized and presented in this manner. The
intent now is to combine these generalized façade systems with simplified tools in a manner
that enables the designer to generate constructible facades of some reasonable complexity.
7.1.1 Flat Vertical Façade Wall
Good façade designs respond to the context of a building problem and can become quite
customized to that particular application. Increased complexity generally accompanies this
customization. Anomalies of the glazing grid for example, can result from; changes to the
building grid, the intersection of wall planes, changing roof planes, or articulations of the
surface geometry in response to a multitude of possible considerations, aesthetics among
them. The focus here will be to deal with the typical part of the façade; unique conditions at
the perimeter and in transition areas will be largely ignored beyond simple elevation
drawings of the glazing grid. If the glazing grid changes in some area of the façade, the
simplified methodology should allow for both grids to be analyzed in isolation, as if they were
separate structures, thus simplifying the problem and yielding only the most basic and useful
information. Complex “phrases” are thus reduced to a simple vocabulary. The information
that is needed to support the work product of the design/build delivery strategy is easily
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