Glass Bricks for Dunedin

Evening Star, Issue 22687, 29 June 1937, Page 2

Glass Bricks for Dunedin

Specified in Two Commercial Buildings Effective Solution to Lighting Problems Years of scientific research with an age-old material has niiide possible the transmission of daylight through solid walls. This has been achieved by the production of glass bricks suitable for building construction, and the innovation promises to change the mode ot living and working conditions for innumerable people in the near Already glass bricks have been used extensively in commercial buildings in many parts of tho w orld, and now this new method ot admitting daylight is to be introduced in Dunedin. The specifications for the reconstruction of the Dunedin Savings Bank and lor a new building for tho Milburn Lime and. Cement Company Ltd. make provision for the use of this translucent masonry as a medium for transmitting daylight. . ~ , . That the New Zealand public will enjoy more daylight in the lutuie seems unquestionable. Whether at home or at work, the populace or this country will have their lives brightened by an unprecedented abundance of solar illumination within dwelling, office, and factory.

INNUMERABLE ADVANTAGES, The advantages of using glass bricks are that they combine properties that are' available in no other building material. They are translucent. They have a high diffused daylight transmission of a desired character, without allowing the flow of heat. They are sound-deadening, fire-resistant, moisture-proof, of great structural strength, and can be cleaned and maintained at a low cost. They prevent the passage of air and gases, are impervious to the attacks of moisture, . vermin, and acids, and will not absorb odours or grease. They offer major economies in the construction of airconditioned and artificially heated buildings, and it must he remembered that no plastering is required on either interior or exterior walls. The bricks are exceptionally strong, , but are light, in weight and are of a size that is convenient for the bricklayer to handle, They lay up quickly in the same manner as other masonry units. The 80,000 glass bricks recently used in the building of a large laboratory in the United States of America were entirely laid by ordinary bricklayers, and not one of the bricks was broken in all the handling from the time they left the -factory until actually mortared together in position. SCOPE OF APPLICATION. Glass bricks are ideal for all types of buildings. Shop fronts treated with this new glass masonry will be most modern by day, and with lighting from behind, either in white or colours, most, attractive. This treatment also applies to picture theatres and hotels. Another particularly good use for the bricks, especially the hollow type, is for operating theatres, ns they transmit a maximum of daylight, and do so ■with the maximum diffusion so as to give a smooth, non-glaring, non-spotty light, A particularly good and useful position wherein this translucent glass

masonry may be used, is when borrowed light is needed for lighting hallways, corridors > etc., as it forms part of the wall and no privacy is sacrificed. Used as exterior walls, interior partitions, panels, or pillars, glass bricks distribute diffused light throughout the home, transmitting, it is estimated, as much as 78.5 iper cent, of the light falling upon their outside surface. _ fo the additional credit of glass bricks are their light-diffusing properties that prevent transmission or glaring ana “ spotty ” sun rays that are detrimental to the eyes. DECORATIVE VALUE. Used as interior partitions, glass bricks provide an unusual decorative touch. One of the more popular interior applications is to encase the culinary division of the home. While admitting more daylight than is obtainable from other types of construction, the glass brick partitions dp not expose the kitchen to the view of those in anadjoining room. This new material also offers an easy solution to the problem of obtaining' adequate light in the bathroom with-, out sacrificing privacy. Shadowed corners, common in most rooms, may bo brightened with glass brick corner panels with mirrored background and glass shelving set into them if a complete glass brick partition is not desired. This unique treatment illuminates the corner, _ and at the same time provides additional space for ornamental and useful objects. Other inside partitions, panels, or pillars can be devised for beautiful effects either by cleveriy-arra'nged lighting directed against the glass masonry or by rear lighting. Variation of light effect can be achieved by use of coloured electric light bulbs simply by changing from one colour to another from time to time. ECONOMICAL LIGHTING. Another practical as well as decorative utilisation of glass bricks is in the construction of a bar, either in the basement or some nook in another part of the home. .All that is required is

Glass brick exterior wails for stairway sections of the home or apartment building are economical applications in that they reduce the cost of artificial illumination during the day. At night an exterior decorative effect results from the interior lighting.

a glass brick base. This is an inexpensive treatment with luxurious results. To further enhance the appearance of the bar, plain or coloured electric light bulbs may be placed behind the glass bar front. Flasher bulbs of several colours installed in the same manner provide a unique lighting effect.

Even the basement of the home is no exception in tho relentless trend of 'glass masonry. Laundries, furnace rooms, and storage space may bo lighted through glass brick partitions. Because of their sound-deadening properties, glass bricks are ideal lor recreation rooms. ADD'TO GARDEN BEAUTY. Aside from its adaption in construction of a homo or apartment building, glass masonry offers many advantages m adding to the impressive beauty or a garden of the home or courtyard of the modem apartment house. It onhanccs the beauty of garden fountains when used as a splash wall and base for the fountain. Coloured lights, stained or flasher type, played on the glass masonry through mist from tho fountain spray produces a colourful night garden setting with all the exquisite hues of the rainbow. Garden paths bordered with glass bricks protect tho walks from lawn drainage, and add a touch of refinement to the garden. Both courtyards and gardens may be made more pleasant by replacing fences with glass brick walls which not only give impressive beauty, but shut

off the view of outsiders aml at the same time let light through tor the benefit of low-growing plants and shrubs. An infinite number of applications will suggest themselves to the imaginative designer, far beyond the scope of any tabulation that might be attempted As to their structural strength, compression tests revealed that >taud pressure of !.),2601b. From this it will be seen that glass bricks are amply strong to he self-supporting to any reasonable height. ADOPTION IN DUNEDIN. In view of the tremendous possibilivies offered by glass bricks, considerable interest will be manifested by their adoption in Dunedin. In the big scheme of reconstruction of the Dunedin Savings Dank provision has been made for the use of glass bricks to light an interior passage-way between the entrance hall and the banking chamber. This method of lighting replaces the ordinary glass partition, and its adoption will also provide an artistic feature as well as give solidity of construction and sound-proonng qua-ltios not otherwise obtainable. In the ease of the new two-story building to bo erected for tlio Milburu Limo and Cement Company Ltd. a panel of glass bricks will be an attractive feature of the Crawford street facade, in addition to serving as the medium for lighting the stairway to the upper floor.

NOT A LUXURY. The new glass masonry is not classed as a luxury, as one uninformed might think; in fact, it compares favourably with ordinary good quality construction material. The bricks to be used in Dunedin are being imported from Australia, and while their landed cost of £BS a thousand appears excessive in comparison with ordinary clay bricks (less than £6), it is estimated by the trade that glass bricks provide a cheaper form of construction than steel windows when the costs of glaring and painting are taken into consideration. ELECTRIC TRAIN CONTROL. Preparations are now being made for the introduction of a comprehensive plan designed to increase the efficiency of the Melbourne suburban electrified railway system. The plan is known as “ supervisory' control.” The nerve centre will ‘be a control room, from which central point all units in the power supply sy'stem—sub-stations, cir-cuit-breakers, cables, and overhead wires—will be continuously and effectively supervised by a control engineer.