Application of Hybrid Glass-Timber Elements in Architecture: Semi Continuous and Self-generative Glass Layering Structural System

The following paper explores the application of hybrid timber-glass elements on semi-continuous architectural structures. The use of glass as a structural material opens multiple fields of investigations. Beyond structural matters and safety issues, architectural questions as functionality and spatiality are briefly addressed, since they are paired with the structural layout. Furthermore, the potential of a glass plate system of overlaying, but yet discontinuous glass elements is addressed in more depth. Geometrical specifications on the structural glass application are elaborated on and generalized into a ‘card house’ algorithmic discretization model. Through the design and fabrication of a ‘case study’, the parallel use and digital simulation and empirical physical testing are discussed. A further potential use in the construction industry of the system is debated.