Overview
One of the most fascinating and sophisticated applications of glass in contemporary architecture is its use as a load-bearing material. Pioneered by Peter Rice and Hugh Dutton for structural glazing of façades, glass as a structural material is now commonly used throughout buildings. Glass Roofs, Glass Façades, Other Glass Walls, Glass Floors, Glass Beams and, as the utmost point of experiment, Glass Columns are the subjects of this book. The introduction deals with questions of material properties and the central issue of security, while the final part develops an integrative approach to architecture based on the experience of building with glass structures. The author Rob Nijsse is partner of abt, one of the biggest engineering firms in the Netherlands. He draws on his intimate knowledge of a large number of projects by Benthem & Crouwel, Neutelings, Mecanoo, van Egeraat, Cepezed, O.M.A., Arets and many other architects in the Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Portugal and Korea.