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Continuing Education Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s ARCHITECTURAL RECORD / AIA Continuing Education article. Learning Objective: After reading this article, you will be able to: 1. Identify the structural properties of glass block when used as a building material. 2. Understand the unique performance abilities of glass block, such as fire resistance, heat and light transmission, sound resistance, vandal resistance, and earthquake resistance. 3. Grasp some of the economic and aesthetic implications of specifying glass block in specific building projects.

Glass block is a unique building material. It has a dynamic relationship with light — both natural and artificial. As light changes so do the material’s appearance and the surrounding environment. A great range of light and privacy is available depending on the pattern and transparency of the glass block. Used creatively, this building material can produce dramatic aesthetic effects.

The transparency of light depends on the pattern, type, and size of glass block used. The result is maximum light transmission to increasing degrees of privacy, diffraction or refraction. Even with the most opaque block, or using glass blocks as accent pieces, the result is the same — a visual connection from inside to out, or connecting to inside spaces. This sensory stimulant offers more than just aesthetics — it is considered a necessary component of a psychological and physiological healthful living and working environment. This brick made of glass also provides energy efficiencies, sound control, security and even visual texture.

 

Veteran’s Administration Hospital Chapel, Detroit MI Architect: Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, Inc.

Glass block can be used in residential as well as commercial projects, as non-load bearing walls, windows, or partitions. An astonishing range of applications is possible with a corresponding variety of aesthetic results. Consider some interior uses: as a contemporary shower stall, a kitchen island, a backsplash in the kitchen, or as the sidelights at the front door. Yet, before building aesthetics and even design can be considered, it is crucial to become familiar with the technical properties of glass block. Working with glass block requires a certain level of skill and a thorough understanding of the material.