Transparency, technology and sustainability: What future for architecture landscape?

The technological elements such as the glass and its derived products have defined, as it is known, a new approach to architecture and a new vision to city-scape. The use of transparency has always been changing the architectural shape, space, perception and landscape upon time, according to the various processes involved in both the project and the construction; in fact following the big discovery of steel’s and concrete’s performance, the vertical walls have modified their role and were no longer structural means for the buildings but became free and independent by the supporting frame; the evolution of transparency in modern era and until very recent years is here outlined. In particular some technologies as well as materials employed for the achievement of the transparency are discussed, such as roof techniques, new components and the innovative scientific discoveries. A number of critical points are remarked in the performance of such technologies within architecture and many benefits are listed and explained. It has been recognised that in the mid-twenty century a different vision of the glass use had contributed to exploit renewable energy, so providing a new value to transparency in architecture and cultural landscape. The present roles of transparency in land transformation and in urban regeneration are compared. In conclusion a new approach to architecture, and in particular to transparent buildings, could lead towards a more sustainable landscape.