A curtain wall system where glass panels are bonded directly to the building structure with structural adhesive, eliminating visible frames and creating continuous glass surfaces. The glazing itself becomes part of the building's structural system.
Combining 'structural' (load-bearing) and 'glazing' (glass installation), the term emerged in the 1960s as silicone adhesives enabled frameless glass construction. The technique revolutionized curtain wall design.
Apple's retail stores popularized structural glazing with their iconic glass cubes and cylindrical glass staircases - the glass isn't just decorative but actually carries structural loads! The technique creates the illusion that buildings are made entirely of glass, floating without visible support.
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