Glass

Glass
 * The use of glass in architecture and urban planning in Caracas. **

Recording_GLASS media type="file" key="Glass_record.wma"  Glass is a solid material, usually transparent and fragile that has great features. The thermal, optical, electrical and chemical properties of glass vary with its composition, but in general is a good thermal conductor. Glass is an electrically insulating material.  In architecture the properties of glass have been really appreciated. Since the Roman Empire glass has been used to make windows to allow ventilation of the spaces. Nowadays, glass has been developed in composition (giving them more strength, durability, among other improvements) allowing more uses in architecture and other fields. At present glass can be used as a structural element, for doors, walls, windows, mirrors, ornaments, covering, among other things. However, it is necessary to take into account that for using in facades is very important the context and the local climate. When light falls on glass, part of the light is reflected at the surface, part of the light is absorbed in the glass, and part of the light is transmitted. If most of the light is transmitted, the glass is transparent. In Venezuela the use of glass in architectural design, is more acceptable in the interior of a building; the glass facades generate serious consequences for the environment (larger waves of heat). However there are many buildings with glass facades (El Cubo Negro, Parque Cristal, Centro Seguros La Paz, among others). Glass in modern architecture is one of the favorite materials because it allows the perfect interface between the spaces and produces optical sensations that are pleasing to the people (feeling of spaciousness and freedom, for example).