If there is one "icon" who knows what glass meant, means and will continue to mean in the world of architecture, it is James O'Callaghan. The Brit has been an architectural engineer and façade designer for more than two decades. Many awards are to his credit. And, many iconic architectural masterpieces in glass. He is currently a professor of glass at the Faculty of Architecture at TU Delft. We had the honor of exchanging views with him. The goal? To provide inspiration to the architects of the Netherlands!
1. What is the future of glass?
"Ha, that's a great question. So there can be a broad answer to that. Because, let me put it this way: glass has an agenda. In the past, integrating glass into architectural structures was mainly about creating light and decoration. After all, glass had a mental function. Man simply needs - even when inside - light. But an important function has been added. It is also about creating energy. So within architecture, this means that we have to keep asking ourselves how we deal with today's challenges. I am talking about energy transition. And so I am also talking about how glass can play a role within that. Well, in new buildings we can already handle this quite well, but there are of course also plenty of renovation projects. Just look at the cultural heritage, the old buildings. There is still room for improvement with regard to the (new) function of glass. In short, it is our job - the job of all architects - to give glass a more intelligent function, without losing sight of the important aesthetic aspects. Performance is now added to that."
2. Clear. The aesthetic must not be lost. But how can we continue to give future projects an iconic look anyway?
"Iconic means making the innovations visible. As mentioned, we are shifting more toward the functionality of glass. It's about being able to combine innovation and engineering. Only then will you achieve the best result. So an iconic project in glass also means bringing the energy performance forward. 'Wanting to be iconic' means that it will also have to be about intelligent design. And, about taking responsibility. Fortunately, this is happening more and more. I already see fantastic innovations coming about all over the world."
3. So what is your advice to Dutch architects at this time?
"Let me first say that Dutch architects are known worldwide for their creativity and innovation. Yes, the world's top! However, it is important to keep telling that architects know what possible solutions are available. Especially when it comes to the design of institutional buildings. A building should radiate responsibility for the future of society. In short, in these times of transition, can architects reflect their social and moral obligations in their work? It is time that we start to appreciate the look and feel of buildings in a different way. But as mentioned, certainly Dutch architects are on the right track!"
4. Last question: is there already enough attention to this vision of the future in education in the Netherlands?
"Yes. At the TU in Delft, we do. There is tremendous potential there. The focus is all right. The various disciplines are well integrated. When I am there myself, I am also fully inspired every time. Creativity is also at a high level. I see that students sometimes still have some naiveté but... the best creativity ultimately comes from that naiveté. They are guided not by what they know but by what they don't know. That's how genius designs come about. They are always on the road to disruption and therefore on the road to more innovation. This is exactly why I believe that the new story around glass will have a prominent place in the future of architecture. In doing so, we will thus also achieve the goals of the important energy transition. I see it sunny!".
James O'Callaghan (b. 1971) has been a structural engineer and facade designer for over twenty years. In 2004, he was one of the founders of the British design firm Eckersley O'Callaghan. He serves on the board of the Design Council in the United Kingdom. He also sits on the HS2 Design Panel and the South East Design Panel. He taught at the University of Portsmouth, where he was a visiting professor in the Faculty of Architecture during the 2015-2016 academic year.
In 2016, he received the Milne Medal For Excellence in Structural Design from the International Association of Bridges and Structures. In 2017, his work on architectural glass was awarded the Phoenix Award. In 2018, he joined the Royal Academy of Engineering as a Fellow. In 2019, James O'Callaghan received the IStructE Gold Medal.
In terms of work, he is best known for designing the glass staircases, bridges and other architectural elements in iconic Apple Stores around the world.
At the University of Delft, he is Professor of Architectural Glass. This chair focuses on glass in a broad context, both in the built environment and in the building envelope. The chair is part of the Glass & Transparency Research Group, where several core themes are being developed.