This article covers the issues of applying structural glass in shaping all-glass architectural objects. Glass, as a transparent material, is a source of inspiration for new architectural solutions. With the development of technology and the increasing knowledge of glass’s mechanical and strength properties, the possibility of using the material for construction purposes has also been acknowledged. Structural elements and building envelope elements can create a uniform material structure of all-glass objects. This observation contributed to the analysis presented in the article. The research was mainly aimed at investigating the architectural and structural-related conditions in shaping all-glass structures in buildings. In this paper, we specify criteria and typology in terms of the applied design solutions. The criteria investigated in the study included functional-spatial aspects, the form, and the structure. All-glass objects were divided into pavilions, extensions, and links in terms of functional and spatial aspects. Architectural forms were specified and characterised as cubic, cuboid, cylindrical, and free-forms. Regarding structural solutions, frames, grillages, beam-wall, and plate-wall systems were indicated as the main load-bearing structures implemented in the buildings under study. The results have been obtained to describe the architectural and structural shaping of all-glass objects. One of the main results of the work is the indication between functional-spatial aspects, the form, and the structure. This correlation confirms the close relationship in architecture between art and engineering.

Biophilic design is developed in urban planning concepts for cities—in line with sustainable development. A case study of converting a former paper mill in Nanterre into a university campus showed what factors influence the emergence of the biophilic form. The research informs the planning and design mechanisms and directs attention to the process. As a result, the study demonstrates that biophilic elements from the place-based pattern group are directly related to in-depth environmental analysis—similar to elements from the nature-based and element-based pattern groups. Together they result in a biophilic form. The element of creation is also present in the design process but is not the primary determinant of the choice of a design approach. In part, the form is adapted to the area’s environmental characteristics, which result from their interaction with objective determinants. Nevertheless, the implementation is not devoid of compositional, creative, and cultural elements—that is, it assumes the features of biophilic architecture. This fact proves that the environment can influence the creative potential in architecture and urban studies.

The manipulation of landscape and the technological use of its views can be a strategy for place-making and a way of creating architecture and making it original. The methods used for this can be different, for example, by mechanically revealing and obscuring views, optical or film projection, directing the viewer to specific frames, using mirrors, etc. This approach is alternative and somewhat in opposition to the natural incorporation of the object into the landscape. In modernism, different architectural views of the surroundings were tested and used differently. These experiences are now transposed to contemporary architectural objects thanks to technological developments and the scenographic shaping of space. The article refers to the sources of transferring landscape views in popular dioramas and the effects of the development of photography, cinematography, and IT media. It describes the possible consequences of perceiving such a created landscape and more general—the world. An example of such a means of expression being fully and consciously taken is the now-defunct Charles de Beistegui Paris apartment. It was designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret in 1929–1931. The apartment was selected for analysing as a case study and confronted with contemporary realisations that use various creative techniques involving the landscape.

Szkło jest znaczącym materiałem w kształtowaniu współczesnej architektury. Główną jego cechą pozostaje transparentność, co wiąże się z możliwością przepuszczania światła dziennego do wnętrza budynku. Szklane elewacje wyznaczają zanikającą granicę między wnętrzem a przestrzenią zewnętrzną, co jest źródłem inspiracji projektowych. Sprzyja temu również rozwój technologii i wiedzy dotyczącej właściwości szkła jako materiału konstrukcyjnego. Celem artykułu jest rozpoznanie i przeanalizowanie możliwości stosowania szkła konstrukcyjnego w przeszklonych elewacjach. W pracy przeanalizowano aspekty technologiczne i konstrukcyjne szkła. Analizy wykonano w oparciu o metodę logicznej argumentacji, metodę porównawczą oraz studium przypadku. Duży wpływ na wyniki pracy miała analiza wybranych realizacji architektonicznych. Na tej podstawie ustalono typologię i charakterystykę rozwiązań projektowych szklanych fasad z zastosowaniem szkła konstrukcyjnego. Głównym kryterium wskazanej typologii było poszukiwanie rozwiązań, w których dąży się do kształtowania całoszklanych samonośnych struktur. Ustalono, że jest to możliwe przy zastosowaniu systemów bezramowych, szklanych żeber, systemów tarczownicowych czy szkła giętego. Projektowanie systemów samonośnych pozwala wyeliminować lub ograniczyć systemy wsporcze z innych materiałów. Dzięki użyciu szkła konstrukcyjnego możliwe jest zatem uzyskanie jednorodnych materiałowo rozwiązań. Rozwiązania te nie tylko koncentrują się na aspektach technologicznych i konstrukcyjnych, ale mają także wpływ na architektoniczną kreację elewacji.

Glass is a unique structural material that combines transparency, aesthetics and mechanical performance, making it one of the most important components in contemporary façade engineering. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the structural use of glass in façades, with a particular focus on its mechanical properties, product types, design methodologies and system applications. The study begins with a review of the physical and chemical characteristics of float glass, including its elastic and brittle behaviour, sensitivity to surface defects and strategies for strength enhancement – such as thermal tempering and chemical strengthening. Basic glass products such as laminated glass, insulating glass units and fire-resistant glass are also discussed. A significant portion of the article is dedicated to identifying and analysing common errors that occur at different stages of façade design, construction and maintenance. Examples include issues related to thermal movement, incorrect material selection, inadequate joint detailing and insufficient maintenance strategies, all of which may compromise façade integrity and user safety. The paper also explores advanced façade systems such as unitised modules, double-skin façades, closed cavity façades and long-span glazed façades supported by trusses, cables or glass fins. Case studies of notable architectural applications, including the Markthal in Rotterdam and the Sub-Center Library in Beijing, are used to illustrate current trends and engineering challenges. Finally, the article highlights the ongoing standardization efforts in structural glass design, including the forthcoming Eurocode 10, which aims to formalize glass as a structural material within the European regulatory framework.

This article concerns the use of structural glass in the adaptive reuse of historic facilities using glass beams as structural elements in steel-glass roofs. More and more often, glass is increasingly being used as a structural material. This fact provides new design possibilities in the adaptation of historic buildings due to the neutral perception of glass and, at the same time, offers the possibility of distinguishing modern structural elements in the historic fabric. The use of structural glass is, however, associated with limited spans of structural elements. For larger spans, solutions of mixed materials are proposed, which are exemplified by steel-glass roofings. Based on selected examples, steel-glass systems with the use of glass beams are characterised. The strength of glass as a structural material is discussed. The main approaches in the design of glass beams with the lateral-torsional buckling phenomenon are indicated.