STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

This also highlights the opportunity for educators in architecture to impact the built
environment by developing and disseminating technology, tools, technique, and other
resources regarding the building skin, an increasingly important building system in modern
architecture. Nothing so profoundly impacts both the aesthetic and functional performance of
a building as does the building skin.
1.4.7 The Threat to Growth
Threats to the diffusion of the technology are many and significant.
1.4.7.1 Security Concerns
Primary applications for structural glass facades include many public structures such as
airports, courthouses, hotel lobbies, office building lobbies, and the public areas of various
other government buildings. There was much speculation within the design community in the
days following the destruction of the World Trade Center, when many such projects were put
on temporary hold, that the days of long-span glass facades were over. This proved to be
wrong, and in fact quite the opposite happened. Still, the concern is legitimate in the face of
repeated terrorist attacks. The industry has responded to this threat by developing glass
systems resistant to extreme loading conditions, including impact and blast loads. It appears
that the highly flexible behavior characteristic of structural glass facades may represent a
distinct advantage in these circumstances.
1.4.7.2 The Economy
Like most industries, growth can be dramatically impacted by general economic conditions.
The commercial construction industry has been on a long run of positive growth. A negative
change in the overall economy could impact the construction industry and slow, halt or even
reverse the growth of any technology. Structural glass façade technology could be especially
susceptible to such an occurrence, as the premium technologies are generally the first to be
cut and replaced with cheaper, more conventional solutions.
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