Feature
A Smart View of the Future
High-tech windows could soon be generating electricity, as well as saving on heating and cooling.
The electrochromic windows in the Boston Science Museum’s lobby, made by SageGlass, reduce glare and allow vistors to enjoy a scenic view of the Charles River while also improving the lobby’s thermal efficiency. [Inside Out Studios]
When it comes to helping the environment, windows often leave a lot to be desired. By letting in heat during the summer and releasing it in winter, they can place huge demands on air conditioning and heating systems—thereby increasing energy consumption and raising greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. But so-called smart windows are designed to change all that, as the iconic CN Tower in Toronto demonstrates.
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