Customer Reviews

Glass in Architecture

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

not like other books giving the usual designs and ideas. innovative, creative and daring is the way i'd describe this book. gave me lots of ideas on my designs and projects involving glass as a material.

Most architecture books are not this technical. This weighty tome has a complete history of the use of glass since the Gothic cathedrals, an in-depth review of the technology of this unique building material, reviews of modern buildings, down to 1:5 construction details of their glass components, and appendixes that cover the science involved, all presented in a readable and visually attractive package.

Glass as a material, is used in an endless variety of industries. And in most of these industries, the technical aspects of glass manufacture, and performance, are inherently involved in the application of glass.

However, in Architecture, the implementation of glass products is frequently done without detailed technical expertise. In order to ensure that the proper glass product is utilized in the right context, every Architect needs to be aware of basic glass technology.

'Glass in Architecture' provides this basic knowledge, and provides a structure for pursuing further research.

Some of the relevant issues addressed are: manufacture of glass, manufacture of coatings for glass, effects of coatings, effects of tints, effects of various compositions (insulated glass, laminated glass), light properties, solar properties, thermal properties, acoustic properties, and structural properties.

As an Architect and Facade Consultant, I find the book extremely helpful on a daily basis. It never leaves my desk.

Mark E. Dannettel, Senior Associate
Thornton Tomasetti Engineers

Like in almost all Phaidon Press books, the photographs in Glass in Architecture are superb, but it is a standout because it also includes an excellent text. The appendix is helpful for its technical data. The book is especially helpful to the student of architecture who wants inspirational examples and technical information.

This is an interesting publication because this book try to bridge the history and technical aspect of glass and mr wigginton has explained clearly with examples (accompanying colorful illustration and working detail) shown in the book.

The book is basically divided into 3 parts:
1. history and theory - understanding the historical and theorical aspect of glass industry. (eg. the influence of Mies)
2. examples - shows important examples of glass technology developement with detail illustrations. (eg. Pei's Louvre)
3. Technical index - manufacturing, strength and U value of glass.

This is a great survey book on glass architecture but one might find that the essay is not critical enough and the detail shown is not specific enough for further understanding of this subject matter.

However, no readers would disagree that your paid money worth.

this book combines a very well structured well written text, nice photos, great deapth, and all from a great publisher which we are used to getting the best from. covers all aspects of the history, the industry, the usage, with many tips here and there. it is highly recommended. the only problem is that the book is really heavy!!

this book help me do do my paper about glass i'd never seen this kind of book, very important to every architect who will build a building with glass as its elements.