ARCHITECTURAL MATERIALS
connection with life outside their room, and be able to switch the glass to ‘privacy’ mode when they choose. Controlled from the bedside, privacy glass panels allow them to enjoy the benefits of natural daylight without compromising their need for privacy during medical examinations, or when they wish to rest. For patients in isolation rooms, instantly switchable privacy glass installed in partitions and doors enables medical professionals to perform routine visual monitoring without having to disturb the patient.
Reducing noise A study by the University of Vermont8 has shown that noise plays a negative role in healing, and that decreasing noise in patient care areas aids in healing processes, and helps facilitate speedier recoveries for patients. Noise creates stress (including elevating blood pressure), and makes it harder to sleep, both of which are detrimental to a speedy recovery. By pairing external dynamic glass with privacy glass, noise levels can be significantly reduced, making for a quieter healing space. By playing an integral role in room design, noise insulation, and access to natural light, glass not only creates spaces that consider patient needs, but that also meet the requirements of medical providers and enhance their working environment. By using privacy glazing in a laboratory, for example, clinicians can opt to create an enclosed area when they need somewhere to do focused, detailed research work. Similarly, minimum touch glass partitions make a more versatile alternative to solid opaque walls for staff meeting rooms or patient waiting areas. Occupants can flick a switch to create privacy during a meeting or consultation, and when the room is not in use it can be set to transparent mode to allow light to flow through the building.
A smarter future As designers seek ways to extend the lifecycle of their buildings, it has become increasingly important for high
performance components to fulfil more than one function. A versatile advanced material that
improves a building’s energy efficiency and processes, enhances comfort, and is easily retrofitted into existing buildings, as well as incorporated into new-build designs, dynamic glass can play an intelligent role in creating a healthcare estate that is fit for purpose for both patients and healthcare workers.
References 1 World Green Building Council. The 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction [
https://tinyurl.com/ 74fdp9u7].
2 Project Drawdown Table of Solutions. Ongoing research. [https://drawdown. org/solutions/table-of-solutions].
3 Park MY, Chai CG, Lee HK, Moon H, Noh JS. The effects of natural daylight on length of hospital stay. Environ Health Insights, 2018 [
https://tinyurl.com/ 4z5xhthj].
4 Rosenfield M. Heschong Report ‘Windows and offices’; 6% productivity increase as the middle estimate of both sources was used. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 2011; 31 (5): 502–15;
5 Elzeyadi IMK. Daylighting-Bias and Biophilia; 53 h/year sick leave for employees with views vs.71 h/year for employees without views from their workplace. October 2011. Conference: Thought and Leadership in Green Buildings Research. Greenbuild 2011 Proceedings, Washington, DC: USGBC Press. At: Toronto, Canada [
https://tinyurl.com/3xvtujh6].
6 Energy Efficiency based on electricity consumption vs. savings, valued at the cost of CO2
e emissions (£44 per CO2 e).
7 Elementa Consulting. ‘Out of the Blue’. Available from:
https://www.eyrise.com/ our-products/eyrise-i350.
8 The University of Vermont Medical Center. Quiet in the Hospital: How Noise Reduction Helps Patients Heal. Published 7 June, 2018. [
https://tinyurl.com/ jhrpekuv].
Céline Glipa As CEO of specialist glass
manufacturer, Eyrise, Dr Céline Glipa, who holds a double doctorate in polymers and electrochemistry, has been involved with the development of liquid crystal glass from the laboratory to the boardroom. Eyrise uses proprietary Licrivision crystal technology developed by its parent company, Merck, to produce smart, transparent glass that can be tinted to provide instant solar shading without compromising on natural daylight. The glass provides ‘lightwellness’ – visual comfort, thermal regulation, and colour neutrality – for occupants on demand, while helping to reduce energy consumption.
Architects and building designers worldwide use Eyrise glass to create bespoke glass structures and facades. Recent projects include BAFTA’s headquarters in London, Orkla City in Oslo, and the Niemeyer Sphere in Leipzig designed by modern architecture pioneer, Oscar Niemeyer.
April 2022 Health Estate Journal 49
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