ABSTRACT
In current architectural trends the most significant element is the nature of architects’ fascination with glass. Glass is used as a cladding material, not only in the 1950s manner of curtain walls, but also as an independent planar cover. A sophisticated example of this is Peter Zumthor’s Bergenz Museum (1997). The use of glass is often inconsistent, and assessment of its role in the architecture is not easy to grasp as such because of the positive connotations given to it in our society. The environmental effect of black glass boxes is resulting in what can be called a reduced human environment; one that I shall argue emphasizes the catatonic or static elements of construction. Mannerist use of glass can be seen in new clusters of commercial or office building that utilize curtain walls in green glass.
