Glasstec 2024 | Pushing the Boundaries of Glass Innovation

18 November 2024

This month, we proudly participated in Glasstec, the global trade fair for glass innovation. Our presence at the event centred on showcasing cutting-edge projects, each of which exemplifies advanced engineering and architectural creativity.

One of our key highlights is the Glacier Glass Pavilion, an architectural installation that pushes the limits of glass as both an aesthetic and structural material. The 5.8m pavilion, designed by Eckersley O’Callaghan in collaboration with NorthGlass, features pleated, folded glass panels that combine connectivity, transparency, and structural integrity in a striking V-shaped form. Constructed from ten triangular V-folded glass modules, the installation demonstrates how transparent bonding materials can achieve maximum transparency with minimal use of opaque connectors. Inspired by Iceland’s majestic glaciers and rugged landscapes, the pavilion evokes natural forms while embodying the future of glass in modern architecture.

Another remarkable showcase is our Curved Glass Pavilion, which stands as a testament to the structural possibilities of thin glass. This grid-shell structure, formed from glass as thin as 0.5mm, exemplifies material reduction while addressing the flexibility challenges posed by such thinness. By employing lamination bending, flat sheets of glass were curved into a resilient form, gaining geometric stiffness to support greater loads. What began as a complex design of 308 panels across seven unique shapes was simplified to 80 panels, reducing both complexity and costs while maintaining visual impact. The result is a more practical, yet equally striking demonstration of how thin glass can be transformed into a robust architectural component.

Throughout the week, attendees had the chance to experience our four groundbreaking exhibits, including the Folding Plates and Tube Circularity, all of which push the boundaries of what glass can achieve in architectural applications. Talks from our experts, including James O’Callaghan, Lisa Rammig, and Graham Coult, enhanced the event by providing deeper insights into the design processes and technologies behind these installations. Lisa Rammig, Director of our Los Angeles office and a key figure in organising the CircuClarity award, also gave the opening address for CircuClarity One, a discussion centred on glass circularity and sustainability.

This year, Eckersley O’Callaghan was also honoured with the Smart Process award at the CircuClarity Awards for GlazingRecovery.org, our innovative website that brings together players across the glass industry. GlazingRecovery.org promotes viewing used glass as a valuable resource, encouraging its recycling and reuse across the sector. The platform demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, fostering a more circular approach to glass production and use.

Reflecting on the event, Lisa Rammig remarked, “Glasstec offers a unique platform for the industry to present new materials, processes, and products while facilitating knowledge-sharing across all sectors of the glass industry. It’s important to manufacturers, suppliers, fabricators, architects, engineers, and academics alike, as it fosters both exchange and innovation.” For Eckersley O’Callaghan, Glasstec 2024 has been a milestone, allowing us to share our vision of glass’s future in architecture, from cutting-edge technology to practical solutions for sustainability.

As part of Glass Technology Live (GTL), one of the fair’s most celebrated sections, we were proud to curate a portion of the exhibit, presenting innovative approaches to glass circularity and future uses of the material. We look forward to seeing how these ideas will inspire the next generation of architects and engineers to continue exploring glass’s potential.

Glasstec 2024 has been an incredible platform for exchange, showcasing our team’s ability to push the limits of glass technology and structural design.