Posted: 27th April 2023
When we think of any period in our history, more often than not the thought will be accompanied by a visual cue. Frequently, this cue will be a piece of architectural design. It’s no coincidence that the original 7 Wonders of the World are all man-made objects, for example – and from the Empire State Building to the World Trade Centre, it would appear that buildings will continue to inhabit this space in our collective thoughts for a long time to come.
Design trends are no different to any other form of fashion. In order for anything to be replicated, it first needs to be seen. Commercial and public buildings are seen by far more people than the average home, so their potential for influence is naturally greater. Looking at contemporary design features of commercial developments is therefore a great way to get an insight into the likely future fashions of residential buildings.
As previously mentioned, one of the most iconic buildings of our post-industrial age is the Empire State Building. For almost 40 years it stood taller than any other man-made structure on the planet. It was also the first time a certain material had been used extensively throughout the construction of a building – from the actual structure itself to various aspects of its interiors. That material is Aluminium.
Fast-forward almost a century and the bond is stronger than ever. Thanks to its structural and aesthetic qualities, this would no doubt have been true anyway, but the modern preoccupation of a more sustainable existence has ensured that it will remain the material of choice for many of our architectural needs.
In extremely simplistic terms, the two motivators behind a change in fashion are aesthetics and function. It is fairly obvious that when designing a commercial property, the aim is to make a space that is both visually appealing and economically efficient – and the glazing of a property is arguably the part where these two aspects are at their most relevant.
Here, we’ll take a look at the history of glazing in the commercial building sector as well as more modern trends – and in the process learn why more and more people are looking to the commercial sector for their residential glazing solutions.
Similar to most major advancements, the evolution of glazing is one born of necessity. It wasn’t until the 1930s in the US that double glazing became widely available, but the concept of secondary glazing actually originated in Scotland in the 1800s.
The big leap that Charles D Haven made with his invention – known at the time as a Thermopane – was to have the two layers of glass separated by an air gap and sealed with strips of rubber. So effective were they that within a decade of the patent for the design they had become one of the most highly sought-after features of commercial and residential properties alike.
Although used in certain vehicles at the turn of the century, the aluminium frame came along into the building industry shortly after this with Buckminster Fuller’s development of geodesic domes in the late 1940s and early 1950s. These structures were innovative in many ways, but their most lasting legacy would arguably be the design of their external shells. Fuller wanted to make the most of the light in his designs, which left glass as the only viable option. In his efforts to incorporate this ideal into his blueprints while maintaining the structure’s integrity, he discovered that a metallic truss frame would provide the stability he would need – and thus the aluminium window frame was born.
The influence of this concept in the modern building industry is two-fold. First is the basic idea of using aluminium in the framing of windows. Just as importantly, Fuller’s domes were the first widely recognised structures to make use of glass as the primary external material, as opposed to the standards of brick and mortar or adobe or wood. Both of these ideas have evolved and diversified over the years, but their roots can be found in the designs of Bucky Fuller.
The building industry is one of continuous innovation. Nowhere can this progression be seen more than in the doorways and windows of our buildings. They are on the front line in our efforts to both reduce the ecological cost of our homes on the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change felt in them.
In this regard, aluminium is the material that keeps on giving. From its widespread introduction into the building industry in the 1940s, it has been valued for its flexibility, strength, durability and aesthetics. These days, with ecology so dominant in our thinking, we expect more than we ever have from the materials we use – and, as luck would have it, aluminium has more than stood up to these developing pressures.
Aluminium framed windows have become almost ubiquitous in contemporary commercial premises. In 2014, the metal was used in the frames of over 80% of commercial buildings – and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Modern times have made commercial entities more present than ever – meaning they have come under closer scrutiny as a result. Consequently, there has been a shift in the way corporations wish to be perceived. This shift can be seen in their advertising and branding, but it’s also visible in the designs of their buildings.
Look at just about any contemporary business’ offices or headquarters and you’ll likely see a variation on a theme: a glass-fronted building with aluminium framing. Be they government buildings or public venues or the general headquarters of a major business, the aesthetic seems to be gaining popularity everywhere – and residential properties appear to be following their lead. They are the perfect manifestation of the times we are living through, with regards to openness and transparency as well as strength and sustainability.
So, what are the residential glazing trends of tomorrow? To get an idea, here are a few examples of the commercial sector’s big-hitters of 2022 and those predicted for the coming year:
As climate change makes warmer weather more likely and the popularity of a higher ratio of glazing in our buildings grows, the application of solar control coatings has seen a recent surge.
Glass is now commonly used as a key structural material, from curtain walls of a building’s external facade to internal screening and sliding door systems. Popularised in the commercial and public sectors, their use in residential projects is quickly following suit.
One of the many positives of using aluminium in frames for glazing is the fact that you can choose their colour. The classic aluminium finish definitely has its strengths, but more and more people are opting for that little touch of personalisation in their glazing plans. A perfect example is Mercury’s range of Alitherm Heritage Windows which are available in a wide range of RAL colours allowing them to be personalised for a range of property types including listed buildings.
Follow the Leaders…
With their bigger budgets and tighter regulations, it makes sense that the commercial sector would lead the way in their utilisation of the best new products. Take a look at any of the new commercial projects around and you may just pick up an idea or two…
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