How to choose transparent materials in low energy designing: Method, software and database of products

Introduction: Glass is one of the protagonists of contemporary architecture and has an important role in low energy designing. Designers do not possess enough instruments to make decisions on choosing innovative transparent materials. Moreover they are often unaware of the innovative ways for using traditional transparent materials to reducing waste of energy in buildings. Needs: When approaching practical design, architects and engineers need knowledge of this subject and technical information on transparent materials (typologies, use, performance, products and manufactures). There is a need for a library of Innovative Transparent Material (a database), and criteria to help with the choosing the right material. Innovation: The aim is to create an interactive database and software. The database will help to find the latest products in commerce and their producers, giving information on their performance and environmental properties. The software aims to assist the designer in evaluating the parameters and make the right choice of transparent material for low energy building.