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Virginia Tech

Volumetric Transparency: Application of an Improved Double Glass Facade System to Cowgill Hall, Blacksburg

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The initial idea for this thesis involved the design of an addition to Cowgill Hall on the Virginia Tech Campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. This addition, to be constructed with an envelope comprised primarily of glass, would be located on the south side of Cowgill Hall, adjacent to Cowgill Plaza. The all-glass box would add a transparent volume to the existing building, diminishing the barrier between inside and outside. The project would also energize the existing plaza by connecting the activity inside to outside and providing the dynamic reflection of a glass facade. Cowgill Hall would also be given new life by providing a new shared vertical space for dynamic communication and light. Potential problems associated with the all-glass box include high heat loss or gain, glare and noise control. A double envelope system of construction was explored as a means of solving some of these problems and an endeavor on literature review, technical research and design improvement of double glass facade was also made.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Architecture
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Architecture
Department dc:contributor.department
Architecture
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Wang, Lu
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Jones, James R.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Pittman, V. Hunter
  • Galloway, William U.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-02142005-024239
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/31231

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Wang, Lu. Volumetric Transparency: Application of an Improved Double Glass Facade System to Cowgill Hall, Blacksburg. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31231