steelandglass

Steelandglass is a term used to describe an architectural and design approach that combines a structural steel frame with extensive use of glass for exterior façades and interior partitions. The result is a transparent, light-filled built form in which the steel skeleton is visible as part of the aesthetic.

The approach emerged with the growth of steel fabrication and large-area glass in the early to mid-20th century, enabling taller buildings and expansive curtain walls. It became a hallmark of modernist and International Style architecture, with architects such as Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and the Chicago School contributing to its development. Early examples include office towers that emphasized a steel frame supporting a glass envelope.

Typical characteristics include a rigid steel skeleton, glass curtain walls or large glass panels, and slim mullions that maximize daylight and exterior visibility. The design emphasizes structural expression, daylighting, and minimal ornamentation. In contemporary practice, steellandglass also engages with façade engineering and energy-performance considerations, prompting advances in insulated glazing, coatings, and weather sealing.

Prominent examples often cited in discussions of the style are Lever House in New York (1952) and the Seagram Building (1958), which demonstrated the potential of steel frames paired with expansive glass façades. Today, the concept remains common in skyscrapers, corporate interiors, and mixed-use developments, though it is frequently adapted to improve energy efficiency and performance.

Steelandglass represents a significant historical and ongoing intersection of structural engineering and architectural aesthetics, shaping the urban skylines of the modern era and continuing to inform contemporary design.