Smart Glass: Options for Creating a Sustainable, Glare-free Environment
Advances in electrochromic technologies have given building owners new options for maintaining their views and daylight, which studies have shown to boost vitality, productivity, and improve sleep by helping people keep in sync with their circadian rhythms. When used to block the sun’s heat and admit daylight, electrochromic or smart-tinting glass has been proven to reduce the energy used for air conditioning and electric lighting, providing as much as 20% in energy savings over low-E glass.
Space Needle’s renovated observation decks achieve high thermal performance with Technoform spacers
In reimagining the building Olson Kundig respected the Space Needle’s conceptual innovation and enduring legacy as originally envisioned by Edward E. Carlson, and as designed by John Graham with Victor Steinbruek, to reflect aspirations of the Space Age. Working with Olson Kundig from the renovation’s earliest stages, glazing consultant and designer Front Inc. specified Technoform’s spacers to help achieve the Space Needle’s design goals.
San Francisco’s Vida comes to life with Winco Windows’ system, finished by Linetec
Located in the colorful Mission District of San Francisco, Vida brings to life a long-vacant space as an upscale, mixed-use residential and retail, urban infill project. Designed by DLR Group|Kwan Henmi, the façade reflects the color and texture of the neighborhood’s Latin-influenced murals, craft and culture, and is scaled with respect to the adjacent buildings’ varied heights and setbacks.
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Research and Education Building
The design team led by HDR focused on creating a space that would cultivate collaboration and communication among its researchers, scientists and staff. The goal was to design an open and inviting environment full of natural light that would inspire as well as serve as a reflection of the positive medical advancements taking place at the center. Additionally, because of the hospital’s coastal location, there was a strong desire and need to meet Florida’s newly updated stringent hurricane impact resistance requirements. Minnesota-based specialty contractor, MG McGrath Architectural Glass & Glazing worked closely with YKK AP America Inc. to carefully choose the right, impact-resistant products for the project.
HGA-engineered elementary school becomes first Net Zero Energy school in Wisconsin
The Oregon School District joins an elite group of forward-looking national organizations with their new Forest Edge Elementary School. Completed in 2020, the 126,580 square foot facility has officially become the first Net Zero Energy (NZE) school in Wisconsin.
Sept. 7 webinar to provide insulating glass units guidance
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) will host a webinar entitled “Quality, Compatibility and Performance Requirements for Insulating Glass Units” on Tues., Sept. 7 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. This webinar will provide guidance to IG fabricators and window manufacturers using existing technology for edge seal design along with selection of sealants, desiccants, spacers, gases, glass and other components used for the manufacture of insulating glass.
New York’s Crotona Park’s historic clock tower lanterns revitalized with EXTECH’s custom glass block assembly
New York City’s Crotona Park’s arched entry to the pool building and play center in the Bronx features a newly reconstructed pair of 80-foot-tall clock towers capped with four-sided glass block “lanterns.” Completed in March 2021, the new lanterns were designed, engineered and fabricated by EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc., and installed by Sandhu Contracting, Inc.