Which transportation hubs commonly incorporate large-scale glass facades for passenger circulation areas?

Transportation hubs that most commonly incorporate large-scale glass facades include international airports, mainline railway stations, metro interchanges and long-distance bus terminals. Airports are the prototypical example: extensive glazing in check-in halls, departure concourses and arrival halls creates volume, aids wayfinding and improves passenger comfort through daylighting — a design language evident in modern terminals from Dubai to regional hubs. Major railway stations and intermodal centers deploy glazed façades and skylit atriums to allow spectators and passengers to orient themselves visually, to permit natural surveillance and to integrate advertising and information displays. Metro stations that serve high-traffic interchange points often use glazed concourse walls and mezzanine balustrades to improve sightlines and pedestrian flow while easing crowd management. For coastal or waterfront terminals, panoramic glass provides views to adjacent transport modes, ports or runways, enhancing user experience in terminals from Abu Dhabi marina precincts to the Black Sea ports near Aktau. Design constraints in these hubs include large spans, thermal control under intense solar exposure, wind-load considerations for elevated façades, and acoustic control in noisy terminal environments. Glass specifications typically call for laminated safety glass, low-e coatings, and frit patterns to reduce bird strikes and glare. Fire and egress planning requires careful integration of glazed partitions with smoke-control systems and emergency doors. Maintenance logistics — including facade cleaning and replacement access — are crucial for large atria. Finally, security and CCTV integration often leverage transparent sightlines provided by glass façades, helping operations teams in GCC and Central Asia manage passenger flows and surveillance efficiently. Thoughtful detailing allows hubs to combine durability, energy efficiency, and a welcoming passenger environment.