The three rules for glass in the corporate office of tomorrow, according to Brian Hanson, Marketing Director at U.S. Bullet Proofing.

The essentials for office security

Innovations in glass technology are balancing the essential needs for security, style and service in modern office spaces.

These elements are becoming integral to corporate office design, ensuring protection against various threats while maintaining aesthetics and functionality.

Security

The form of security threats can take many shapes from corporate espionage to physical threats in the form of ballistics, blasts, forced entry or debris impacts from tornadoes and hurricanes.

In the past, glass was perceived as the vulnerable or penetrable part of the structure, but in modern building design as part of a complete system, it can serve as the hardened element that provides protection.

Glass’s resilience allows the strength and flexibility to protect from all these elements simultaneously.

Style

Gone are the days when office and security buildings have to look militarized.

Today’s corporate spaces are welcoming, sparking productivity, imagination and collaboration.

Innovative fenestration systems provide stylish yet secure solutions that blend seamlessly into modern architectural designs.

Service

Functionality is key in corporate building design.

Companies and regulatory authorities demand buildings that are sustainable, energy-efficient and friendly to wildlife.

New glazing solutions offer these services without sacrificing security or style.

Tiered layers of access control

Glass is a critical material in all levels of security from the perimeter defense in guard booths to the exterior façade of a building where an entire curtainwall or storefront provides multi-threat protection for occupants and corporate assets.

Increasingly, government buildings, schools and corporate offices are implementing security control access points that are designed as glass vestibule systems.

These are often designed using a combination of ballistic rated windows, doors and transaction systems to funnel and control authorized access into the building while providing adequate protection for those already inside the building.

The entrance and lobby of the Honorable Frank Guarini Justice Complex in New Jersey incorporates a series of transaction windows and ballistic-rated fixed window panels that are used to control occupant traffic at the building’s entrance and provide protection for the public.

The low iron glass used in these window systems eliminates the greenish-blue tint typically seen in standard glass, resulting in a highly clear and transparent appearance that is stunning in this seemingly open entrance space.

Hybrid fenestration solutions

High-security fenestration systems today achieve a balance of security and style using ‘hybrid’ designs that combine the benefits of aluminum and steel.

Aluminum has always provided the benefits of offering design flexibility along with being attractive, lightweight and corrosion resistant.

These new hybrid systems use all the advantages of aluminum with inner steel reinforcement that provides a high-level of protection from ballistic rounds, blasts and severe windstorms.

Together, it’s a system that blends seamlessly into the building and allows the architect to design more fluidly without the historical constraints of previous technology.

Ballistic rated glass doors are another popular trend growing in corporate workspaces.

These solutions comprise a hardened low-profile frame with an infill entirely made of security glass and an assortment of hardware options that suit the rest of the building design.

Acoustic glass for enhanced security

The widespread availability of listening devices and drones has enabled unprecedented access to sensitive information.

Acoustical glass, also known as soundproof glass, dampens sound by reflecting, absorbing and dissipating sound waves.

Laminated glass panes with acoustic dampening interlayers form barriers that reduce noise transmission.

This counter-surveillance tool blocks external noise, ensuring internal communication remains private.

LEED certification, energy efficiency and sustainability

One of the most significant trends in glass technology is its alignment with sustainability and energy efficiency goals, such as LEED certification.

Security glazing can be paired with high performance low emissivity windows as well as innovations like bird-friendly and turtle-protective glasses, which are setting new standards in environmental responsibility.

Integration with modern architecture

With the rise of return-to-office policies, employers are investing in stylish, comfortable office environments.

Modern office spaces are designed to inspire creativity, collaboration and productivity in a safe space.

Architectural trends are increasingly incorporating large operational windows that blend indoor and outdoor spaces.

Apple Park in Cupertino, California, is a prime example, featuring complex glazing and large sliding glass panels that connect interiors with the outdoors.

Apple Park exemplifies the pinnacle of modern office design.

The 2.8 million square-foot headquarters reportedly features the world’s largest curved glass panels, with over 3,000 sheets of glass wrapping its spaceship-like structure.

Select panels act as sliding doors, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The future of glass technology

With advancements in technology, the capabilities of glass are expanding, offering unprecedented functionality and versatility.

Smart glass is at the forefront of this evolution, allowing remote control via smartphone apps. Imagine being able to adjust tints, colors and solar control settings at the touch of a button.

This is the future of glass technology.

Key innovations include:

• Vacuum insulated glazing (VIG): offers unparalleled thermal insulation by removing the air in a thin insulating glass unit reducing weight, glass, the depth of the glazing pocket
• Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): allows buildings to generate renewable energy directly from their surfaces
• Switchable privacy glass: shifts from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button
• Thermochromic glass: adjusts transparency based on temperature
• Electrochromic glass: allows manual adjustment of glass tint via electrical current

Practical applications

These technologies offer both aesthetic and functional benefits.

They help reduce a building’s carbon footprint while providing occupant comfort and productivity solutions.

Innovations in glass are shaping the future of corporate office design by successfully integrating security, style and service.

Modern access control systems and advanced glazing solutions provide comprehensive protection without sacrificing aesthetics or functionality.

By adopting these cutting-edge technologies, corporate offices can create secure, stylish and efficient workspaces that foster productivity and collaboration while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of employees and assets.

This article was originally published in the November edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.