| foot of architectural glazing is increasing, and that demand for laminated architectural glazing also is increasing. More than half of those surveyed (53.8%) report having evaluated, recommended or specified commercial architectural glazing for a project in the past year, and 20.4% have done so for residential glazing. Among these study participants, the most common types of glazings evaluated, recommended or specified are exterior windows, interior partitions, and standard skylights (i.e. square, rectangular, domed). When asked how often they refer to energy performance ratings, 57.1% and 30.4% said “always” and “often,” respectively. Finally, the use of glass in architectural design is growing. Among this group, 43.9% claim they are including more glazing in their designs today than in the past, while 53.6% say they are using the same amount. Just 2.4% report they are using less glazing today than in the past. | Smart Glass As observed in prior studies, attitudes toward smart glass are strongly positive and support the belief that this category of materials will play a major role in sustainable design going forward. While awareness of smart glass among the study population is strong, with 81.5% claiming to have some awareness of smart glass technology prior to the research study, only 6.6% claim they or their firm have ever evaluated, recommended or specified smart glass for a commercial project. Just 2.0% claim to have done so for a residential project. The professionals surveyed believe that various attributes of architectural smart glass will be desirable for clients interested in this category of building materials. Overall, energy efficient operation and high durability are desired, and operation using alternating current (AC) voltage is preferred versus direct current (DC) voltage. With regard to the performance of smart glass, the most desired characteristics are: 1.) integration with other coatings such as low-e, 2.) glare reduction, 3.) consistent-looking tint changes regardless of window size, 4.) light-control that is controllable to any point between the dark and clear states, 5.) blockage of more than 99% of ultraviolet (UV) light, 6.) fast switching speed, and 7.) solar heat gain control that varies with the tint level of the window. Despite low usage activity to date, the prospects for smart glass are strong. Assuming the price of smart glass is reasonable and that it meets the desired specifications for a particular project, more than ninety percent of those surveyed claim they would be highly likely or somewhat likely to recommend or specify smart glass. The actual distribution of this finding is summarized in Figure 3.  |
| The professionals surveyed were asked to describe the desired maximum dimensions of the smart glass that they would like to see offered by suppliers. In their opinion, the maximum height of smart glass that will be desired is 10 feet and the maximum width is 6 feet (both are median levels). Respondents also were asked to comment on the maximum price per square foot for smart glass that their clients would be willing to pay. For both commercial and residential projects, the median price per square foot is $50. Substantial variation exists around these metrics. For example, more than 25% claim their clients would be willing to pay $75 or more per square foot for smart glass, with a maximum amount of $200 per square foot. For residential projects, nearly 15% claim their clients would be willing to pay more than $75 per square foot, with the highest price at $175 per square foot. CONCLUSION The smart glass industry is poised to make a significant step forward in the field of architectural sustainable design. Viewed quite favorably for its potential energy efficiency and solar control benefits, architectural professionals also desire distinctive features of smart glass that include fast and consistent switching regardless of panel size, light-control tunable to any point between the glazing’s dark and clear states, and improved aesthetics. While awareness levels of smart glass are reasonably strong, specification activity to date is low. However, the outlook is very promising, with more than ninety percent of these professionals claiming they likely would recommend or specify smart glass if pricing were reasonable and if it meets the desired specifications for a project. This bodes very well for the movement to “go green.” Great strides in sustainable design are being made across numerous product categories. | As architectural professionals learn more about the unique blend of functional and design possibilities that smart glass offers, even greater advances will be made toward various sustainable design ideals – low energy consumption of buildings, improved occupant well-being and productivity, support for the community and the environment, and favorable economic outcomes. references 1. The World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, New York, 1987. 2. Energy Information Administration, United States Department of Energy, Monthly Energy Review, March 2007. 3. United States Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, “The Federal Commitment to Green Building: Experiences and Expectations,” 2003. 4. The Freedonia Group, “Advanced Flat Glass to 2010,” 2006. 5. G.M. Sottile, “Assessment of Attitudes and Expectations of Switchable Glass Among United States Window Manufacturers,” 45th Annual Technical Conference Proceedings of the Society of Vacuum Coaters, p. 163, 2002. 6. G.M. Sottile, 2004 Survey of United States Architects on the Subject of Switchable Glazings,” Materials Science and Engineering (B), 119 (3), 240, 2005. |
