Over the years I’ve had opportunities to work with several architects. They’re interesting people who have the ability to meld art with building technology. Sometimes the result is more “art,” and sometimes it’s more “building.” In either case, their designs typically get handed off to engineers with the simple request: Figure out how to heat my creation…
Most architects love glass and use it liberally in their designs. They may be motivated to capture a beautiful view, connect the interior with outside nature, allow sunlight in, demonstrate the concept of minimal (but adequate) vertical support or perplex HVAC engineers assigned to make the resulting structure comfortable. I admit to joking with various builders that “Most architects use just enough studs to hold up the roof, everything else is glass.”