Enrico Cutri & Philippe Willareth | Circularity in Construction, scaling up glass reuse with (...)

Session: Circularity Event: GPD Finland 2025 Circularity in Construction, scaling up glass reuse with silicone The laminar glass bonding process using silicone, initially presented at GPD2023, has been successfully applied to renovate the façade of the Herostrasse building in Zurich, Switzerland. This innovative approach combines glass and silicone to create intelligent hybrid materials that support the circularity of building materials. By utilizing window or spandrel glass at the end of its lifespan in combination with silicone, the glass can be repurposed as cladding material for façades. This glass-silicone hybrid can be easily separated after use, allowing both materials to be recycled. This paper reviews the mechanical (impact) and safety (fire) performance of the composite glass-silicone-frame. Observations from the Herostrasse building implementation are discussed, and potential pathways for scaling up the method to larger projects are explored. The re-manufacturing process holds significant potential, as the large amount of flat glass replaced annually in window renovations could be reused effectively. The flexibility in formats and shapes opens a wide range of applications, and cutting to size is straightforward. Machine vision and optimization tools enable the reuse of these glass elements in both conventional façades and new geometric configurations and designs. Glass Performance Days - Forum dedicated to the development of the global glass industry through education. https://gpd.fi/