Ever captivating, one look at dichroic glass and you instantly understand why it’s such an enthralling choice for architects, artists and anyone else with a creative eye. It sings in its vibrancy and lends a truly dynamic look and feel to both building fabric and interior schemes alike.
But what the devil is it? How exactly does it work its specific type of magic?
The distinctive and unique visuals of dichroic glass are simply stunning, changing colour in different lights and from different angles.
The layer of intrigue that this adds is second to none, delivered through the application of various microlayers of metal oxides (such as silicon,titanium and magnesium) to the surface of the glass. These layers create interference, which allows the glass to transmit different light wavelengths, thus creating the fabled effect.
But it’s not just prized for its aesthetics and dichroic glass is also revered for its durability, with the layering system making it more scratch-resistant and better able to withstand whatever the elements have to throw at it… making it perfect for architectural use.
It’s always interesting and inspiring to see what architects are up to around the world where dichroic glass is concerned.
In Kansas, for example, you’ll find the Museum at Prairiefire (which houses the American Museum of Natural History). Here, dichroic glass is used in conjunction with iridescent stainless steel to create a building facade that evokes the colour, movement and regenerative power of fire.
Then there’s the Nano-Bio-Energy Technologies Building at Carnegie Mellon University in Portland, which features a dichroic glass facade that’s playful in its approach to form, texture and colour, while echoing the nanotechnology work that takes place within the building itself.
And, of course, the Andrew Moor Associates team is certainly well versed in the use of dichroic glass and you can see many of our own projects on our website, including Sovereign House in Leeds, Lyde Green Community College and Eden House in Bishopsgate.