Dichroic Glass is a manufactured architectural product that has only been around for thirty years. The glass istreated with different metal oxides which change the way light-waves interact with the glass. If light passes through the glass and so is transmitted, you will see one colour, but if it is reflected this will be a different colour. The result is an ongoing mixture of these two colours, creating many different colours, all depending on your angle of incidence and the direction of the main light source.
This material has similarities to the ‘iridescent’ colours that appear in in some insects’ wings. These have evolved naturally, but the essential process is the same – some light-waves are amplified, and others are cancelled out through interference – thus changing the colours.
amazing architectural works have been created using this material. These have included enormous sculptures, hanging ‘chandelier’ structures, and wall-mounted features. In the US, where the legislated requirement for Public Art has given rise to such an enormous industry of experimentation and creativity in all forms of large scale art, dichroic glass has been used widely to add a kinetic, dynamic element to free standing sculptures and many other constructs, particularly where it is possible for the work to interact with direct, moving and changing sunlight. Nothing animates the properties of dichroic glass better than the sun which will throw the transmitted colour in one direction and bounce another colour in the opposite direction. The effect can be truly mesmerizing.
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.