GLASS BRICK FRONT

Evening Star, Issue 22516, 8 December 1936, Page 2

GLASS BRICK FRONT

FIRST ERECTED IN AUSTRALIA A building, which lias replaced an older one in Adelaide, provided an architect with a problem in lighting (says the ‘ B.H.P. Recreation Review’). With a depth of 90ft and a meagre frontage of 17ft Gin, with no facilities whatever for side lighting, the old building was so dark as to be under artificial illumination practically always. Endeavours to solve the problem by steel windows proved rcsultless, owing to the Building Act requirements regarding the proportion of wall to window. Tho idea came, “ Why not build a wall of glass from floor to ceiling?” After many endeavours, much study and inquiries, the architects got in touch with Messrs L. G. Abbott and Co., of Wakefield street, Adelaide, and with their co-operation, constructional details of glass bricks used in Belgium. Holland, and America were produced. Ultimately a sample of the glass brick, measuring Sin by Sin by 2in thick, came to hand. These bricks are insulating, and are concave on the inner _ face, which diffuses all light and eliminates direct rays. This much accomplished, the architects were successful in obtaining an amendment of the Building Act’s provisions relating to “ thickness of walls.” The glass bricks, erected with reinforcing rods, give a wonderful light, and have proved most successful. This glass brick front is the first to bo erected in Australia.