Electrochrome Glass
in a clear state - resembles a normal glass
Architecture is one of those rare fields in which art and
science come together to compose a mellifluous harmony. Often, constructions of
an era are a mere reflection of the activity on the streets they border, a
product composed of social and technological excesses of their time. In the
20s, for example, Art Deco was born out of the Machine Age as well as the
decade’s interest in archeology, which made it a curious combination of the
modern and the ancient. Mankind and the buildings we build to dwell and work in
go hand in hand, and the further we progress, the more intelligent and
flamboyant our constructions get. From
the sunlit edifices of the Stonehenge to the glassical facade of the Burj
Khalifa, architecture has been society’s silent expression throughout time.
Electrochrome Glass in a completely tinted state
There is no denying the role of glass in modern
architecture. Not only is it aesthetically appealing, but it is also one of the
most functional materials used in construction when it comes to providing
transparency and letting in natural light. And now, as a result of our
successful meddling, glass is about to elevate itself to a whole new level of
function. We’re talking about an absolutely marvelous piece of innovation –
Electrochrome Glass. An innovation that is bound to alter the way we think
about glass and the way it’s used in architecture.
Electrochrome Glass, as the name suggests, is a smart glass.
It’s a glass that can, under a low-voltage current, change its tint and
reflective properties depending on the external temperature. It can run
independently or under manual control, depending on how you want it, and in a
hybrid mode. The innumerable sensors installed in the glass are sensitive to
the sunlight falling on the exterior face and the occupancy of the room inside.
The glass then employs combinatorial logic – and decides what mode each pane of
glass should be in, based on its position and direction. The possible modes are
Glare Mode, Daylight Mode, Clear Mode and Tinted Mode. The outcome depends on
the light sensors, the occupancy sensors, the solar angle and BAS input.
Electrochrome Glass in a clear state
To illustrate the effects – in a building constructed with
Electrochrome Glass, the east-facing zone will run on Glare control mode in the
morning, making the east-facing facades tint heavily. All other zones will run
on Clear Mode to maximise light within each room. As the heat outside increases
as the day passes-by, increasing the load on A/C, all zones shift to full-tint
mode. In the evening, as the sun is setting, the west facing walls and bottom
windows will tint to block glare while all others will clear to optimise
available daylight. To put it simply, Electrochrome Glass can keep the interiors
of the building snug, and the exteriors stunning. Wonderful, isn’t it?
Innovative Glass used at Chabot College, Hayward CA
Electrochrome Glass also saves energy and lowers the
electricity bill. Once it’s installed, the energy use of the building is
reduced up to 20%, and the peak demand is lowered up to 30%. The need for
blind/ shade maintenance is eliminated. What’s more, this glass also comes with
a superior fading protection. Is it a wonder then that this smart glass earns
you 12 LEED points for the building? That’s the highest earned by any other
identified technology so far. Not to mention
the fact that it enhances the building’s sale and rental value. You can use
this glass for office space, commercial buildings, penthouses, villas,
restaurants and hotels, as well as yachts and cruise ships – even automobiles.
Visit our page for more details: http://bit.ly/LEaZpY
See interesting pictures of glass buildings using
Electrochrome glass on our Flickr! : http://bit.ly/LE8TXh
Courtesy: architecture.in.saint-gobain-glass.com
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