Walkthrough of Glass in Architecture with Ar. Pradeep Varma

Ar. Pradeep Varma, an alumnus of IIT Roorkee, is the Principal Architect at Varsha & Pradeep Architects in Chennai, India. Driven by a passion for creating positive and impactful spaces, he brings a visionary approach to every project.

“Architecture is holistic where you look at creation to completion.”  In a recent webinar with Glass Academy,  Ar. Pradeep walked us through the process of using glass in architecture, right from the initial design phase to final installation.

Reflecting on his journey, he shared what initially drew him to the field of architecture and inspired him to pursue a career in this field. Inspiring mentors and exchange of information were instrumental in keeping him a step ahead always.

Since the Department of Architecture is part of the larger Engineering University at Roorkee, the architectural department was heavily influenced by it and helped him develop a strong base about structures and materials. Such is the case with glass. From sourcing to installation, Architects can unleash the full potential of glass, creating spaces that are not only visually stunning but also functional, sustainable and conducive to the human environment.

Architect Pradeep unveiled some of his projects that challenged the conventional use of glass, and discussed the wide range of architectural glass applications. Let’s look at how he pushed the boundaries with glass to enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of buildings:

Indian Institute of Information Technology at Hyderabad
Source- Varsha and Pradeep Architects

1. Furniture and decorative elements: The architect talked about a commercial project where the furniture involved laminated glass tops. The use of stained glass, etched glass, coloured glass allows for creative and personalized design elements within a building.

2. Windows and Skylights: Glass in windows and skylights allows natural light to flood the interiors and provides unobstructed views and a sense of connection with the outdoors.

3. Facades and Curtain Walls: Glass in building facades increases the aesthetic appeal and thermal performance.

SKCL office Interiors
Source- Varsha and Pradeep Architects

4. Partitions and Interior Walls: Glass partitions and walls help in creating well defined spaces with acoustic and privacy control.

5. Entrances and Railings: Laminated and tempered glass provide strength and safety for balconies and railings while glass doors create a welcoming entrance.

6. Glass Floors and Staircases: Ar. Pradeep discussed a project where he shared how glass floors and staircases added a contemporary element and created visual interest, making a space appear larger.

Indian Institute of Information Technology at Hyderabad
Source- Varsha and Pradeep Architects

7. Sustainable Building Practice: Energy efficient glass with advanced glazing options, such as double or triple glazing, improve insulation and reduce energy consumption.

Additionally, Ar. Pradeep demonstrated that architectural glass comes in various types and forms, each serving different purposes and offering unique properties. He also highlighted the design parameters to consider while exploring the versatility of glass as a material.

1. Laminated Glass: Consists of two or more layers of glass and a resilient Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer that acts as an adhesive for added strength and safety.
Applications: Skylights, floors, railings

2. Tempered Glass: It is heat-treated to increase strength and safety.
Applications: Doors, shower enclosures, facades.

3. Float Glass: It is a glass with a smooth surface, used as the foundation for most other types of glass.
Applications: Windows, mirrors, and various interior applications.

4. Tinted Glass: It has colorants added to reduce glare and solar heat gain while allowing visible light to pass through.
Applications: Windows, facades, and car windows to control sunlight and improve energy efficiency.

5. Frosted Glass: It is treated with acid etching or sandblasting to create a translucent, diffused surface.
Applications: Partitions, doors, and decorative elements requiring privacy.

According to the architect, selecting the glass involves considering factors beyond just glass quality and price. The glass should be selected based on the aesthetic & functional requirement, orientation, typology of the building, and acoustic properties.

Towards the latter part of the webinar , the final installation phase of design – he addressed some of the most important safety concerns related to handling the glass on site, with respect to the diverse structural support systems integrated to it.

SKCL office Interiors
Source- Varsha and Pradeep Architects

When integrating glass into the design, the structural support system plays a critical role in ensuring both stability and safety. These support systems can be classified into metallic and non-metallic categories. Here is an overview from the architect himself:

• Steel frames can support large glass panels and allow for flexible designs but must be treated or coated to prevent corrosion, especially in harsh environments.
• Lightweight and resistant to corrosion, aluminum is often used in curtain wall systems and for supporting smaller glass panels.
• Used in point-fixed glazing systems, stainless steel fittings hold glass panels in place with minimal visual impact.
• Non metallic structural systems include reinforced concrete and composite materials.

While structural support can handle the weight and forces applied by the glass including weather resistance, and other stresses, Architect Pradeep highlighted the need to mitigate the leakages, ensure a proper drainage system, and usage of appropriate sealants for carefully integrating glass into the designs.

The Pinnacle Residential apartments
Source- Varsha and Pradeep Architects

The Learning Curve:

During this Glass Academy Webinar, Ar. Pradeep shared some of his profound memories and experiences during his college days that shaped his perspective and approach to the field of architecture where he illustrates that architecture is a tool for self development.

He emphasized on the ability to balance and make informed decisions to effectively manage the dualities of life. Similarly, the conflicting parameters of glass such as the strength versus the span, amount of light versus the heat gain, property versus the cost, is crucial when integrating glass in design.

Ar. Pradeep’s expertise and insights helped enlighten the viewers on the versatile material that is glass.

The full webinar can be watched here –

Interview by – Anvitha Ravipati