Long ago, glass was only used in window applications. And the purpose? To allow light in, to keep heat or cold out, and to provide a view! These days, with innovation at the forefront of glass technology, the material is used in a variety of ways - to control the elements, provide thermal comfort, control heat gain / loss, allow natural daylighting, for safety, and to create chic aesthetics.

Glass has always been a popular building material in India – the numerous glass-fronts that have sprung up over the years across the country, be it in Gurgaon or Mumbai, stand testimony to that. The versatility it offers – aesthetically, environmentally and construction - wise – helps it score over traditional building materials. But the great glass wave led to a flood of criticism initially. The high levels of solar radiation, the greenhouse effect produced by glass, and the rising costs of electricity were major concerns.

It may have been vilified for long in the context of Indian architecture, owing to the climate, but glass has taken on a green hue these days. It offers the chance to make design statements, creates a sense of transparency, and lends a feeling of lightness to a building. What's more is that, innovations and techniques have led to the creation of an extremely sustainable, cost-effective and long-lasting construction material.

Lalita Tharani, co-founder and principal at Collaborative Architecture, feels “most of the innovation in glass technology has been to decrease the U value and the emissivity of glass to control the passage of heat and cold through the building envelope”.

Why Glass?

Gone are the days when glass only offered ornamental value; the new types of glass in the market allow architects and designers to give wings to their imagination. Most companies, be it Saint Gobain Glass, HNG Glass or Asahi, offer products in a variety of colours and with high-performance characteristics that conform to green building standards. When designed for maximum performance, glass allows massive savings in energy costs. These include up-front HVAC system cost reductions and annual energy cost savings.

K. C. Jain, President, HNG Float Glass, states that glass is extremely suitable for the Indian climate. “Materials like brick, mortar, cements and steel, fade away over a period of time and need heavy maintenance. Glass just needs to be installed and requires no maintenance. It is easy to install and fabricate. It is also economical when compared to other building materials. Modern technology has enabled glass to evolve as a user-friendly and easy-to-use material,” he says. On glass' green characteristics, he adds: “Unlike cement and steel, glass is 100 per cent recyclable. Modern glass is the most environment-friendly material.”

Ar. Teja Lele Desai

Teja Lele Desai, Executive Editor of Insite, writes on interiors, architecture, travel and anything that takes her fancy.