The Global Glass Gathering

If you’re wondering what the next big thing will be in architectural glass, the biennial glasstec trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, is a good place to find out. When it comes to trends and developments shaping the architectural glass industry, glasstec is a must. This year’s event will take place October 23-26 at Messe Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf, and includes a massive exhibition and educational symposiums.

In addition, the sixth Engineered Transparency Conference, an in-depth architectural education-al program, will take place alongside glasstec, October 25-26. Here, presenters from academia and research will discuss current developments and innovations in glass constructions with the main topics focused on glass, façades and energy. The conference is geared toward engineers, designers and architects who want to engage in stimulating conversations on topics such as:

• Buildings and projects;
• Energy and sustainability;
• Design and construction; and
• Research and development of structural glazing.

Glass manufacturers, industrial partners and processors as well as other interested groups are also encouraged to participate.

Program Summary

The first day of the Engineered Transparency conference, begins with a special session on standardization and measurement, and will focus on current developments in façade construction. The presentations will cover energy efficiency, sustainability, conserving resources and use of the façade as an energy-efficient part of the building. Sessions will address material properties of glass in the building industry as well as diverse fabrication possibilities.

The first day of the Engineered Transparency program will include an exclusive tour of the special glasstec exhibition Glass Technology Live (GTL). This trade fair feature presents fascinating products and visions from research and practice, and also offers visitors insights into the large potential of glass as a building material. GTL will include a variety of exhibits in cooperation with the Technische Universität Darmstadt and the Technische Universität Dresden.

More than 70 percent of the exhibits to be featured at GTL are initial releases, university research projects, experimental concepts or award-winning pieces from student competitions. The exhibition will also include “Meet the Expert” sessions.

On the second day, discussions will focus on the design and dimensioning of innovative glass constructions as well as technical details of solar technology and adhesive glass joints. In addition, the program also includes a special session on thin glass.

Exceptional Keynotes

The Engineered Transparency program will also include two esteemed keynote speakers. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Feldmann of RWTH Aachen will open the conference with his session on October 25. On the second day, Dr.-Ing. Jan Wurm, group leader for material consulting at Arup in Berlin, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rob Nijsse from TU Delft, will share insights into their research.

Architecture Congress

In addition to the Engineered Transparency program, the International Architecture Congress is also taking place as part of glasstec 2018. This session will showcase a variety of glass applications in architecture and also highlight design as well as the functional potential created by the innovative use of glass as a material.

Architects from around the world will present their positions on the basis of design principles of exemplary buildings and provide an overview of current architecture featuring both high aesthetics and functional quality.

To learn more about glasstec or to register for these events, visit www.glasstec-online.com

An Eye on Innovation

The Glass Technology Live (GTL) exhibition is one of the most popular features of the glasstec trade fair. It serves as a forum for solutions and a performance showcase for future glass applica-tions, providing inspiration for functionality and aesthetics. Focus segments this year will include:

• Interactive façades/display glass;
• Energy and performance;
• Structural glass: solid glass/thin glass; and
• New technologies.

To view the laid-in version of this article in our digital edition, CLICK HERE.