From her 74th-floor apartment in Kuala Lumpur, Anastasia Zeeman enjoys sweeping skyline views but also endures intense tropical heat radiating through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Glass skyscrapers have become defining showpieces in rapidly developing cities like Dubai, Mumbai, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur, symbolizing modernity and financial clout. However, glass facades struggle to keep out heat, making buildings more energy-intensive to cool in an era of rising global temperatures.
Critics argue these structures are environmentally problematic. Bill de Blasio once considered banning glass and steel buildings, while architect Philip Oldfield calls them "environmentally criminal." Even Ken Shuttleworth, who helped design London's Gherkin, says he would use less glass today, noting "we are burning a hole in the planet."
Despite criticism, demand persists. The world has built 25 times more buildings 200 meters or taller than in the 1980s, with 91% constructed since 2000. Architects are seeking balance through strategic orientation, reflective coatings, and energy-efficient glazing systems. As Gordon Gill notes, "It's not as simple as people think," emphasizing that solutions require careful design rather than simple fixes.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing