Unique structures showcase glass in various conditions

This year we celebrate the very first International Year of Glass proclaimed by the United Nations (UN), which should have been announced long ago.

People first used this amazing material in the form of obsidian tools during the Stone Age, and the production of glass itself is at least 6,000 years old. It began much earlier than the smelting of iron.

Until the mid-20th century, small-scale craftsmanship predominated, and architectural glass remained relatively rare until another major innovation – the production of float glass. This breakthrough led to a dramatic increase in the use of glass around the world.

History of Innovations

The first line of float glass from Guardian was launched in 1970, and after decades of innovations, today's performance glasses help regulate solar energy, enhance safety, improve energy efficiency, and maximize natural light – all in a vast array of colors and finishes.

Float glass is also an integral part of sustainable design and construction, as it helps improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, Guardian's global manufacturing capabilities allow customers to source products locally, reducing the need for shipping by sea and truck.

There are also increasing benefits of glass in terms of comfort, productivity, and mental health for those who live and work in such buildings. Ongoing research in this area continues to emerge, and Guardian would like to explore further opportunities for future innovations in collaboration with its partners.

The use of glass offers numerous possibilities. On the occasion of the International Year of Glass proclaimed by the UN, we want to take you through some of our groundbreaking glass buildings and showcase what is possible.

Examples of Glass Buildings:

Maraya Concert Hall, Saudi Arabia

Imagine creating the world's largest mirrored building in just a few months – a concert hall made entirely of mirrors. It spans an area of 9,740 square meters and can withstand heat, sandstorms, and occasional rain. It is called the Maraya Concert Hall, and it is not a mirage – Guardian collaborated closely with partners to realize the project.

Desert House, Spain

Guardian built this beautiful house with glass walls in the heart of the Gorafe desert in southern Spain to demonstrate the efficiency and functionality of its glass. Temperatures here range from 45 ℃ during the day to −10 ℃ at night. By using a carefully thought-out combination of glass and solar-powered air conditioning, it was possible to regulate temperature fluctuations by up to 30 degrees.

Observation Deck in Hudson Yards, New York

Guardian's task here was to create a safe yet transparent view from the highest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. This required a combination of strong glass that also reduces reflectivity, maximizes light transmission, and is nearly colorless. Glass that you hardly notice.

Alpine Shelter, Slovenia

The project was initiated by OFIS Architects from Ljubljana, Slovenia, and aims to explore the impact of extreme weather conditions on different types of materials and construction techniques. This modern shelter was designed in the fall of 2015 in the studio "Habitation in Extreme Environments" at Harvard Graduate School of Design. The building, constructed according to their design, is located high on the crest of Mount Skuta in the Slovenian Alps, where extreme and harsh weather conditions prevail. The shelter will provide a safe and comfortable environment for up to eight people. Guardian Glass was chosen as a key partner for the glazing.

One Blackfriars, London

How to transform the design of the famous glass vase from the 1950s into a 170-meter tall landmark building in the heart of London? A design admired particularly for its dynamic form that changes depending on the light? With a modern low-iron glass façade from Guardian and sophisticated shaping of bent glass.

La Casa Sardinera, Spain

The residence La Casa Sardinera is located in the picturesque landscape of the Spanish Mediterranean in the province of Alicante, one of the most popular tourist destinations. The building owes its genius loci to its unique location atop a cliff washed by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The distinctive architectural character of the building, where white concrete and imitation processed wood complement each other, helps to connect the residence with the surrounding landscape.

The individual rooms of the house are arranged in geometrically precise lines. The architects emphasized that the residents of the house could enjoy stunning views of the sea from every room. “Glass plays a crucial role in the project, as it was conceived as a large observation deck of the Mediterranean Sea, where the boundaries between the interior and exterior are blurred. To achieve this feeling, we also had to think about the comfort of the residents,” stated the project authors, experts from the Spanish architectural studio Ramón Esteve Arquitectura.

Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world at 828 meters. Guardian's glass here not only withstands winds of up to 249 km/h and lateral deflection of up to 2.5 meters but also helps regulate temperatures that can be 15 °C cooler at the top than at ground level. And all this with a total of 24,348 windows.