Switchable glazing technologies seem to be a promising component of low-energy and solar architecture of the future. The glazing may controllably and invertably change their physical and visual properties by switching. Having been applied in buildings envelopes, the switchable glazing technologies are freqently regarded as an alternative measure for traditional solar protection elements like: blinds, louvres, overhangs, brise-soleil etc. Yet, they are more integrated with buildings envelope creating kind of interactive barrier between external and internal environment. They also provide sleek and changeable glazed envelopes, thus becoming an important element of buildings architecture, too. The glass technologies to be considered in the paper are: SPD (suspended particle devices) LCD (liquid crystal devices), EC (electrochromic), GC (gasochromic) and microblinds. The paper concentrates on architectural evaluation of the application of the switchable glazing technologies as sun protection measures. They are examined in context of their influence on thermal and visual comfort first of all. Besides, aesthetical, energy -efficiency and some other issues have been discussed. The paper is aimed at showing opportunities connected with application of the different switchable glazing technologies according to their impact on the architectural issues. To this aim a comparative method has been used. The technologies were compared with each other in the following contexts : thermal protection, lighting protection, visual contact, energy-efficiency, aesthetical variability, glass dimension limits, time and fluency of transition process, electricity consumption, availability on market. It has been proved that the above mentioned technologies exert different impact on internal environment of the building and its architecture. They are relevant for different tasks- e.g. some of them are especially suitable for thermal protection, whereas the others should be used as visual control measure first of all. All of the technologies may be used both in hot and cold climates, but the way they should be used in the buildings envelope (e.g. place, solar orientation) are different. All of the technologies should be coupled with other solar or thermal protection elements.
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