Switchable Windows Cut Office Energy Use by Up to 35%, Patents Cover 35 Countries
Published on 09/28/2026 at 02:00 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Office buildings could soon shed a significant share of their energy burden through glass that darkens, frosts and clears on command. A plasma-chromic window technology developed by the Leitat technology centre has now been patented in 35 countries, according to a report by estudioarquitectos.cl on 27 September 2026. Test series covering heating, cooling and lighting suggest the innovation can reduce a building's energy consumption by as much as 35%.
The pane blocks heat in summer while letting usable solar radiation through in winter. A 3-volt battery activates the system, with opacity adjusting within a matter of minutes. An algorithm that factors in weather data governs the process. The technology has already been trialled in European demonstration buildings and in the transport sector as part of the Smartlux project, run in cooperation with Fedit. Michele Manca of Leitat stressed the technology's clear focus on decarbonising the building sector.
Two Glass Types, Two Jobs
Modern glazing technologies such as SpectraNyx and SpectraVeil serve distinct functional needs in the workplace, as the specialist portal reachbuilding.com reported on 28 September 2026. SPD-based products target solar and glare control, while PDLC solutions offer flexible privacy options for meeting rooms and work areas.
SpectraNyx, an SPD smart glass, allows stepless regulation of light transmission across a range from 1% to 65%. In its fully tinted state, the material keeps out more than 95% of incoming solar heat radiation and filters 99% of UV rays. That curbs the heating-up of office space without forcing a complete sacrifice of natural daylight.
SpectraVeil, a PDLC smart glass, addresses settings that demand rapid changes in transparency. The glazing switches between a clear and a frosted state within milliseconds. In frosted mode, the glass surface doubles as a projection screen for rear projections or as a writable surface for presentations and meetings.
Building Systems Take Over
Smart-glass systems can be integrated into existing building management systems (BMS). Through interfaces with lux sensors and occupancy controls, tinting or frosting adjusts automatically to current light conditions and how a room is being used. Deploying such technologies also supports sustainability and wellbeing certifications including LEED, BREEAM and WELL.
Daylight and the Hybrid Office
Targeted use of daylight plays a central role in the refurbishment of modern, hybrid office space. An ergonomic spatial concept leans above all on ample daylight — alongside factors such as acoustics, room temperature and air quality — because daylight regulates employees' biorhythms. Switchable and dimmable glass lets planners create open, light-filled layouts without compromising on thermal protection, glare control or necessary privacy. Reusable materials and efficient energy-saving measures, meanwhile, help secure operational sustainability over the long term.
