Businesses have been gravitating towards partitions and other structural glass systems, but of their many benefits, which is the biggest for office buildings?

An internal glass partition can perform the role of acting as a barrier while allowing light through, which can be invaluable in underground stations.

Whilst most famous for his work as a social reformer, Francis Place’s tailoring business in Charing Cross would radically change retail into a familiar form.

Structural glass is an important component in modern skyscrapers, not just because it is light, but helps reduce the loss of sunlight on the streets below.

Modern office spaces rely heavily on daylighting for all of its health and productivity benefits, but frosted glass helps to balance this with privacy needs.

The biggest reason for curtain walling and the heavily glazed facades that are ubiquitous in modern architecture is how they look, but they have many benefits.

The increasing use of external glass balustrades in the UK is partly due to the more creative use of space in apartment building design in built-up areas.

Retrofitting is an effective way of making more of existing buildings, with the work of curtain walling contractors proving highly important in this process.

It is impossible to find a modern skyline without glass curtain walling but not only is the concept much older than one might expect, it was very controversial.

The use of structural glass can sometimes stand accused of producing identikit buildings. But Manchester’s next skyscraper may well challenge that notion.