Glass Fins - A Structural and Aesthetical Application in Glass Facades

Abstract

The use of glass fins constitutes a recently emerging trend in the façade industry. Fins (ribs) could be defined as long glass strips mounted perpendicularly to the surface of the façade. Fins are used as (i) decorative (aesthetical enrichment of the facade), (ii) functional (sunshade) and (iii) structural (stiffening and load-bearing) elements of the facade. The overall trend of using glass fins is a result of the abundance of proper quality glass, that allows for safe use of relatively small elements that are point mounted or fixed in a different way to the surface of the facade. This glass fin trend deserves a review, illustrated with the on-site made photographs showing different areas of application. The given review of the application of glass fins is based on a general morphology study of transparent facades that the author conducted through the year 2017-2019, and including the position of the fin, the orientation of the fin, and the transmissive qualities of the fin - transparent, translucent and screen-printed. Fins could be also addressed as a formal articulation element strategic from the point of the building's architectural form.