Are glass wall curtains suitable for mixed-use developments including retail and hospitality buildings?

Glass wall curtains are highly suitable for mixed-use developments that combine retail, hospitality and office functions, offering transparency, daylit interiors and strong visual connectivity. Retail frontages benefit from uninterrupted glazing for merchandising and storefront visibility; hotel lobbies leverage full-height glass to create welcoming arrival experiences. However, designers must address mixed-use challenges: acoustic separation between noisy retail areas and quiet hotel rooms, fire compartmentation between different uses, and service integration for signage and installations.

Acoustic concerns can be mitigated with laminated IGUs and careful junction detailing; fire separation is achieved through rated spandrel zones, fire-stopping at slab edges and specific glazed assemblies in corridors and egress routes. Maintenance access and cleaning regimes must be coordinated across uses—retail trading hours and hotel operations limit window washing windows, requiring scheduled façade access systems.

Mixed-use projects in markets such as Dubai, Riyadh or Almaty require façade systems that balance aesthetic continuity with performance segregation: integrating metal panels for back-of-house areas or spandrels above retail can mask services while maintaining a cohesive appearance. With careful programmatic coordination and appropriate metal-framed detailing, glass wall curtains deliver functional, attractive façades for mixed-use developments.