• Conference paper

Building with Glass: Tim Macfarlane and the Development of Glass as a Load-bearing Structural Element

McLean, W. 2017. Building with Glass: Tim Macfarlane and the Development of Glass as a Load-bearing Structural Element. Campbell, J. (ed.) Fourth Annual Construction History Society Conference. Queens' College Cambridge 07 - 09 Apr 2017 Construction History Society.

TitleBuilding with Glass: Tim Macfarlane and the Development of Glass as a Load-bearing Structural Element
AuthorsMcLean, W.
EditorsCampbell, J.
TypeConference paper
Abstract

In the early 1990s, there was a quiet revolution in the way that glass was employed in architecture as a structural material. This increased experimentation in the application of glass was not limited to the building skin, but increasingly extended to frameless glazing
and, ultimately, to structural glazing with no support at all other than the assembled laminations of glass itself held in place with structural silicone. At the forefront of these innovative approaches to the use of glass as a structural element was the structural engineer Tim Macfarlane.

The evolution of Macfarlane’s work with structural glass can be understood through a series of key projects built at variety of scales with some of the most technically
challenging projects the seemingly ‘modest’ architectural set pieces of a staircase, lean-to or entrance canopy. Macfarlane was not working from a code of practice, which did not exist and innovation was incremental, with each project exploring and pushing at the known limits of glass as a structural material. Macfarlane wanted to establish “… An engineering practice that set out to realize architectural ideas … to facilitate an architects
composition, structurally so that it fitted and suited what could be made.” The paper will explore the key technical innovations made through the production of
prototypes and projects in partnership with architects and specialist fabricators (1990–1999). Macfarlane’s work has been documented through individual published projects
with one of the few comprehensive accounts of this work presented by Macfarlane himself at the ‘Glass in Buildings’ conference in 1999. I have recently interviewed Tim Macfarlane and I will be drawing on those discussions to identify the specific technical innovations, which enabled such incredible structural developments in the use of glass. The paper will use primary sources of research including interviews, unpublished sketches, and photographs of test prototypes.

KeywordsTim Macfarlane, Structural Glass, Construction, Innovation
Year2017
ConferenceFourth Annual Construction History Society Conference
PublisherConstruction History Society
Book titleThe Proceedings of the Fourth Conference of the Construction History Society
ISBN9780992875138

Related outputs

Design Practices
Mr Wilfred Achille, Ayuso, A., Batty, S., Boulanger, A., Cascone, P., Durelle, K., Dr Ana Gatóo, Girardin, F., Golzari, N., Guibert, E., Kramer, M., Maragiannis, A., McLean, W., Nieva Mesas, G., Pollock, B., Zaide, P., Zhang, J., Sharif, Y., Silver, P., Urna Sodnomjamts, Tankard, J., Thwaites, A., Watson, V.A. and Wilkinson, C. Watson, V.A., McLean, W. and Urna Sodnomjamts (ed.) 2024. Design Practices. University of Westminster DPRG Publications.

A Critical Pedagogy for Architectural Technology
McLean, W. and Silver, P. 2024. A Critical Pedagogy for Architectural Technology. in: Chan Sin-wai, Mak Kin-wah and Leung Sze Ming (ed.) Routledge Encyclopedia of Technology and the Humanities Oxford Routledge. pp. 26-41

Collaboration and Friendship, Art and Architecture
McLean, W. 2022. Collaboration and Friendship, Art and Architecture. in: Hardingham, S. (ed.) Serious Fun: The Arty-Tecture of Will Alsop London Wiley. pp. 70-77

Environmental Design Sourcebook: Innovative design ideas for a sustainable built environment.
McLean, W. and Silver, P. 2021. Environmental Design Sourcebook: Innovative design ideas for a sustainable built environment. London RIBA.

Introduction to Architectural Technology (3rd edition)
Silver, P. and McLean, W. Silver, P. and McLean, W. (ed.) 2021. Introduction to Architectural Technology (3rd edition). London Laurence King Publishing Ltd.

Technical Skills for Students of Architecture
Silver, P. and McLean, W. 2020. Technical Skills for Students of Architecture. Education, Design and Practice. Understanding skills in a Complex World. New York 17 - 19 Jun 2019 AMPS CIO.

Dante Bini: Architect
McLean, W. Forthcoming. Dante Bini: Architect. London Bibliotheque McLean.

Frederick Lanchester and the Invention of the Air-Supported Structure
McLean, W. 2018. Frederick Lanchester and the Invention of the Air-Supported Structure. Wouters, I., van de Voorde, S., Bertels, I., Espion, B., de Jonge, K. and Zastavni, D. (ed.) Building Knowledge, Constructing Histories: Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress on Construction History. Brussels, Belgium 09 - 13 Jul 2018 CRC Press, Taylor & Francis.

The Pneumatically Powered Construction Systems of Dante Bini
McLean, W. 2016. The Pneumatically Powered Construction Systems of Dante Bini. Construction History Society: Third Annual Conference. Queens' College Cambridge 07 - 09 Apr 2016 Construction History Society.

The Blind Man
McLean, W. 2015. The Blind Man. in: Drawing Room Confessions: Bruce McLean, Issue 9 London Mousse Publishing. pp. 36-38

Graham Stevens: Atmospheric Industries
McLean, W. 2015. Graham Stevens: Atmospheric Industries. in: AA Files: Annals of the Architectural Association School of Architecture London Architectural Association. pp. 138-143

Air Structures
Silver, P. and McLean, W. Silver, P. and McLean, W. (ed.) 2015. Air Structures. London Laurence King Publishing Ltd.

The Villa Antonioni by Dante Bini
McLean, W. 2014. The Villa Antonioni by Dante Bini. Venice 07 Jul - 23 Nov 2014

Air Apparent: Pneumatic Structures
McLean, W. 2014. Air Apparent: Pneumatic Structures. Architectural Review. 235 (1406), pp. 104-109.

Building with Air
McLean, W. McLean, W. (ed.) 2014. Building with Air. London Bibliotheque McLean.

Introduction to architectural technology (2nd edition)
Silver, P. and McLean, W. 2013. Introduction to architectural technology (2nd edition). London Laurence King.

Structural Engineering for Architects
McLean, W. 2013. Structural Engineering for Architects. London Laurence King.

Printed matter
McLean, W. 2013. Printed matter. Architectural Review. 233 (1394), pp. 15-16.

Dante's inflatables
McLean, W. 2013. Dante's inflatables. AA Files: annals of the Architectural Association School of Architecture. 67, pp. 19-23.

Domes of discovery
McLean, W. 2013. Domes of discovery. Emap.

Recasting Terracotta
McLean, W. 2012. Recasting Terracotta. Architectural Review. 231 (1384), pp. 97-101.

In the frame
McLean, W. 2011. In the frame. Architectural Review. 230 (1377), pp. 97-101.

Two Peacocks: A Department Store
McLean, W. 2011. Two Peacocks: A Department Store. Gallery North (Northumbria University) Newcastle 03 - 24 Nov 2011

A New Unintended Equilibrium of Functions
McLean, W. 2011. A New Unintended Equilibrium of Functions. AA Files: annals of the Architectural Association School of Architecture. 62, pp. 90-94. https://doi.org/10.2307/41378391

The department of books
McLean, W. 2011. The department of books. in: Walter, J., William, E. and Baker, H. (ed.) Two peacocks: a department show London Bibliotheque McLean. pp. 12-15

Thrilling at a distance: an exhibition of architectural imaginings for Croydon
McLean, W. 2011. Thrilling at a distance: an exhibition of architectural imaginings for Croydon. Croydon Parfitt Gallery.

Counterpoint: Less answers, more questions
McLean, W. 2011. Counterpoint: Less answers, more questions. in: Legendre, G. (ed.) Mathematics of space: architectural design Chichester Wiley. pp. 128-131

AD+ McLean's Nuggets
McLean, W. 2010. AD+ McLean's Nuggets. Architectural Design. 80 (3), pp. 130-131. https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1091

AD+ McLean's Nuggets
McLean, W. 2010. AD+ McLean's Nuggets. Architectural Design. 80 (2), pp. 138-139. https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1059

McLean's Nuggets
McLean, W. 2010. McLean's Nuggets. Architectural Design. https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1025

The art of function
Carr, P., Corcoran, P., Felgate, C., Malmros, J., McLean, B., McLean, W., Shirayama, M., Thompson, E., Walter, J., Woodley, G., Wu, I. and Ziegler, T. 2010. The art of function.

The endless school
Beban, B. and McLean, W. 2010. The endless school. in: Aldiss, B., Geldard, R. and Lee, K. (ed.) Tatton Park biennial 2010: framing identity Cheshire Tatton Park. pp. 18-19

designboom book report: quik build: adam kalkin’s abc of container architecture
McLean, W. 2009. designboom book report: quik build: adam kalkin’s abc of container architecture. designboom.

Celebrate everything you normally do: Will Alsop’s Praxis
McLean, W. 2009. Celebrate everything you normally do: Will Alsop’s Praxis. in: Corridor 8: visual art in the supercity of Will Alsop Michael Butterworth. pp. 4-7

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2009. McLean's nuggets. in: Garcia, M. (ed.) Patterns of architecture Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2009. McLean's nuggets. in: Clear, N. (ed.) Closing the gap Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2009. McLean's nuggets. in: Lally, S. (ed.) Energies Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2009. McLean's nuggets. in: Leach, N. (ed.) Digital cities Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2009. McLean's nuggets. in: Garber, R. (ed.) Closing the gap Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2009. McLean's nuggets. in: Puglisi, L.P. (ed.) Theoretical meltdown Chichester, UK Wiley.

Introduction to architectural technology, publications review
McLean, W. 2009. Introduction to architectural technology, publications review. Architectural Technology. 81, p. 29.

Quik Build: Adam Kalkin's ABC of Container Architecture, book review.
McLean, W. 2009. Quik Build: Adam Kalkin's ABC of Container Architecture, book review. Dwell Magazine.

Dalry Primary School: an innovative Scottish case study
Summers, M. and McLean, W. 2008. Dalry Primary School: an innovative Scottish case study. PEB Exchange. 64, pp. 1-6.

Introduction to architectural technology
Silver, P. and McLean, W. 2008. Introduction to architectural technology. London Laurence King.

Quik Build
McLean, W. McLean, W. (ed.) 2008. Quik Build. Bibliotheque McLean.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2008. McLean's nuggets. in: Segal, R. and Verbakel, E. (ed.) Cities of dispersal Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2008. McLean's nuggets. in: Hensel, M. and Menges, A. (ed.) Versatility and vicissitude, performance in morpho-ecological design Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2008. McLean's nuggets. in: Preston, J. (ed.) Interior atmospheres Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2008. McLean's nuggets. in: Shiel, B. (ed.) Protoarchitecture: analogue and digital hybrids Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2008. McLean's nuggets. in: Liauw, L. (ed.) New urban China Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2008. McLean's nuggets. in: Cruz, M. and Pike, S. (ed.) Neoplasmatic design Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2007. McLean's nuggets. in: Rahim, A. and Jamelle, H. (ed.) Architextiles Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2007. McLean's nuggets. in: Spens, M. (ed.) Landscape architecture site / non-site Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2007. McLean's nuggets. in: Prestinenza Puglisi, L. (ed.) Italy: a new architectural landscape Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2007. McLean's nuggets. in: Bullivant, L. (ed.) 4dsocial: interactive design environments Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2007. McLean's nuggets. in: Peckham, A., Rattray, C. and Schmiedeknecht, T. (ed.) Rationalist traces Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2007. McLean's nuggets. in: Ashraf, K.K. (ed.) Made in India Chichester, UK Wiley.

Fabrication
McLean, W. Hardingham, S. (ed.) 2006. Fabrication. Oxford, UK Architectural.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2006. McLean's nuggets. in: Hight, C. and Perry, C. (ed.) Collective intelligence in design Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2006. McLean's nuggets. in: Abley, I. and Schwinge, J. (ed.) Manmade modular megastructures Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2006. McLean's nuggets. in: Hensel, M., Menges, A. and Weinstock, M. (ed.) Techniques and technologies in morphogenetic design Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2006. McLean's nuggets. in: Croci, V. (ed.) The new Europe Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2006. McLean's nuggets. in: Silver, M. (ed.) Programming cultures Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2006. McLean's nuggets. in: Garcia, M. (ed.) Architextiles Chichester, UK Wiley.

A cosmorama of now
McLean, W. 2005. A cosmorama of now. in: Hardingham, S. (ed.) The 1970s is here and now Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2005. McLean's nuggets. in: Franck, K.A. (ed.) Food and the city Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2005. McLean's nuggets. in: Sheil, R. (ed.) Design through making Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2005. McLean's nuggets. in: Caples, S. and Jefferson, E. (ed.) The new mix: culturally dynamic architecture Chichester, UK Wiley.

McLean's nuggets
McLean, W. 2005. McLean's nuggets. in: McGrath, B. and Shane, G. (ed.) Sensing the 21st-century city: close-up and remote Chichester, UK Wiley.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/q09y7/building-with-glass-tim-macfarlane-and-the-development-of-glass-as-a-load-bearing-structural-element


File access - Request a copy

Restricted files

Accepted author manuscript

Under embargo indefinitely terms available at: http://rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/

Share this

Tweet
Email

Usage statistics

417 total views
1 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.