Living in a glass house

Solar power is one resource in which the Gulf is not lacking
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Because glass can range from fully transparent to fully opaque or reflective, and can be specified in virtually any tint or colour, aesthetics is less of an initial concern than function. As Kareem Negm, LEED AP and architect at Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners), points out, ‘function’ in the Middle East means more than just energy-efficiency.    

Of course, double glazed, low-U glass should be specified externally to reduce solar gain but because of religious and cultural privacy issues, residential projects will almost always opt for fully reflective or very dark tints, regardless of efficiency levels of the glass. Internally, however, aesthetics take priority.

“Fritted glass for shower enclosures can be used in hotel room to deliver light and maintain privacy,” explains Negm. “For commercial applications, sandblasted logos and engravings enhance branding and corporate identity.”

Wagner agrees that the choice of glass is important where aesthetics are concerned, but given the architectural trend of using massive curtain walling in the UAE, the environmental and climatological aspects of glass cannot be ignored and the building standards need to follow suit.

“Standards for thermal insulation of building envelopes – which includes glass – are far too tolerant given the harsh summer climate we endure,” explains Wagner. “This allows for many loopholes during the construction process and ultimately can cause buyers and operators horrendous long-term running costs.”

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Is glass a liability in Gulf architecture?

In the more moderate climates of Europe, North America and parts of Asia, glass can be an extremely versatile material that can simultaneously addresses efficiency and design challenges. But, climates in the Gulf  are harsher; they require materials that function at higher levels and, therefore, require careful consideration during design and specification.

Chad Oppenheim, founder and principal of Miami-based Oppenheim Architecture + Design, often says: “Building glass refrigerators in the desert doesn’t make a lot of sense.” His logic is doubly poignant given his experience working in a solar-heavy climates and the number of projects OA+D has completed in Miami.     

So, the obvious question remains, is glass a liability in the Gulf? The architects, engineers and LEED APs interviewed for this article suggest it just might be.

“I think any material can be a ‘liability’ if used improperly or unwisely, or where all considerations in the use of that material are not considered,” says Bohlen. “Well if you look at it from an environmental point of view then yes. We’re creating glass boxes that are heat magnets. They look nice but often trap the heat inside and thus cost a lot of money to cool. This cooling process harms the environment in a tremendous way,” agrees Negm.
 
Wagner takes the argument a step further to suggest that the ‘liability’ aspect of glass doesn’t rest wholly with the material itself. “There is always an element of liability in glass, no matter where you are located,” he explains.

“The reason that there appears to be a lack of versatility in this market can be largely attributed to the fact that the local manufacturing industry has not developed a diverse and feasible enough repertoire, which in return has hampered construction of avant-garde designs.... At the same time we have to consider the environmental aspect of shipping tonnes of products halfway around the globe, which adds another great liability,” adds Wagner.

The final word

It seems clear that the key to using glass correctly and responsibly lies in the ability of architects, contractors, developers and engineers to be collectively mindful of its climatic challenges and specify the product in conscientious ways.

“Just like any where else, glass can be a versatile material in the Middle East, but it must be used in conjunction with the correct application and specification to meet the specific requirements of the region,” Bohlen insists.

“The [challenges] include high heat and humidity, blowing sand particulates and plenty of solar gain. Anytime you can avoid the sun’s rays from directly striking the glass you have gone a long way towards making the facade and interior more efficient.”

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