The LOW-E Double Laminated Insulating Glass is the core facade material for Shibuya Scramble Square Phase I (East Tower), engineered to suit the dense urban environment and climate of Tokyo’s Shibuya district.
Structure Breakdown:
Outer LOW-E coated glass: The low-emissivity coating reflects infrared radiation, significantly reducing heat gain in summer while maintaining high visible light transmission, balancing natural daylighting with thermal insulation.
Double laminated layer: Two glass panes bonded with PVB interlayer. Even if shattered, the glass remains intact, preventing falling debris and meeting safety standards for super high-rise buildings.
Insulating air cavity: Effectively blocks heat transfer and reduces urban noise intrusion, mitigating the impact of Tokyo’s high-frequency city noise on interior spaces.
2. Key Advantages for the Building
(1) Climate Adaptability
Tokyo’s hot, humid summers and cold winters are addressed by the LOW-E coating and air cavity, which reduce reliance on air conditioning and heating, boosting the building’s energy efficiency.
(2) Safety Performance
As a 230-meter super high-rise, the double laminated structure prevents glass fragments from falling during extreme conditions like strong winds or earthquakes, protecting pedestrians below.
(3) Visual & Aesthetic Impact
The glass’s high transparency and light blue coating create a layered, gradient blue appearance that shifts with changing light, harmonizing with Shibuya’s skyline. Its semi-reflective properties also minimize glare inside, enhancing comfort in office and commercial spaces.
3. Alignment with Architectural Design
Kengo Kuma’s design emphasizes the “urban canyon” sense of openness. This glass system meets the large-scale facade’s daylighting needs while using LOW-E’s low-reflection properties to avoid light pollution to surrounding buildings, aligning perfectly with the project’s design philosophy of “integrating with the urban context.”