Architects and interior designers are continuously searching for innovative ways to create attractive and functional spaces for homes and offices. Smart glass technology has become an efficient tool for building professionals who use it innovatively to enhance privacy and create stunning indoor effects.
What is smart glass?
Smart glass is a product of advanced nanotechnology. Although it looks like ordinary glass, it can transform and switch from opaque to transparent when connected to electricity. This feature sets it apart from the standard glass and makes it a formidable tool for architects and interior designers. Smart glass can even be integrated into Building Management Systems to enhance home automation.
Here are some innovative ways of using smart glass technology in homes and workspaces.
Privacy Enhancement: Conventional glass is an excellent material for designing homes and workspace interiors. However, the downside of using glass is the lack of privacy -but that is all in the past. With smart glass technology, interior designers can use their choice material without sacrificing the occupants’ privacy. With a simple flip of the switch, the smart glass partitions, windows, and doors can be changed from transparent to opaque to keep prying eyes at bay.
Stunning Aesthetics: Glass is arguably the most visually appealing material for building structures. The best part is that the smart glass comes in various designs, textures, patterns, and custom murals. It gives a living space stunning beauty that exceeds other partitioning or building siding materials. It also makes the area less clumsy since curtains and window blinds become optional accessories after installing the smart glass. Thus smart glass is an innovative way to upscale the aesthetics of a home workspace.
Safety Enhancement: Although many people would have loved glass materials for their home and workspace interiors, safety issues have held them back. Indoor accidents with glass can cause fatal injuries to people as sharp splinters fly around. Smart glass is an effective way to mitigate the safety hazards of glass structures in a home or workspace. It does not shatter into shards when it breaks due to accidental impact, making it the ideal glass material for home and workplace interiors.
Reduce Energy Consumption: Smart glass decreases the heat load of buildings significantly during the hot summers. When in the frosted state, smart glass reduces the amount of heat and light that penetrates a structure indoors. This means less load on the HVAC system of the building. Moreover, you may not have to use the indoor lighting during the day with natural light radiating through the smart glass. All these features work together to reduce energy consumption and bills.
Integration with BMS: Smart glass consists of an intelligent system that can be further enhanced with a digital switching system and integrated with a building management system. After that, the smart glass may be used in several innovative ways. A typical example is integrating motion sensors that would signal the smart glass to change to the frosted mode when there is no movement indoors after a specific period.
