Dive summary:

• Glass-walled buildings were an architectural phenomenon made possible by air conditioning and were supposedly capable of making occupants feel a connection to the outside world.
• That connection too often doesn't happen, and controlling the indoor environment when glass radiates heat into the space is an energy-consuming problem – so much so that some office-building tenants are refusing to take space along south- or west-facing glass walls.
• The author says indoor live plants, moving water and carefully selected building materials can achieve the settings that make people more comfortable and productive.

From the article:

Developers tell us glass buildings are easier to lease and sell, but then struggle with the glare and heat that come with large windows. They respond by closing shades, which defeats the purpose of all that glass. ...