SageGlass controls sunlight to help patients heal faster, maintain views of charming countryside

SageGlass®, the pioneer of the world’s smartest electrochromic glass, installed dynamic glass on the floor-to-ceiling façade of the new 263,715-square-foot Bellavista Eye Clinic in Speicher, Switzerland. SageGlass, a product of Saint-Gobain, was chosen for its ability to provide access to natural daylight, which has been proven to be a major contributing factor to the patient recovery process.

Extensive research has shown how light affects a patient’s wellbeing and how access to natural daylight has both a significant biological and emotional impact on humans. In the case of the eye, the retina has not only a surface on which surrounding views are projected, but also cells that dictate a human’s biological clock. By providing patients with access to natural daylight, SageGlass will help to strengthen patients’ biorhythm, promoting overall health and wellbeing as well as boosting patient vitality and quality of life. SageGlass can also be controlled manually to darken and clear on demand for patients with sensitive eyes.

“We are pleased to see how SageGlass is continuing to expand into the healthcare sector to help improve the patient experience,” said Alan McLenaghan, CEO of SageGlass. “Our dynamic glass’ unique functionality of providing access to natural daylight and views of the outdoors while preventing heat gain and glare will allow patients to feel more comfortable and provide environments conducive to healing and overall wellbeing.”

Along with providing access to natural daylight, SageGlass helped the architects, Carlos Martinez Architekten and Berneck SG/CH, meet their aesthetic vision by allowing the façade to follow the curve of their design, giving the building an overall feeling of lightness and fluidity. Unlike blinds or shades, SageGlass allowed the clinic to maintain its connection to the surrounding charming countryside.

The new Bellavista Eye Clinic, which is located next to the well-known Bent Clinic, consists of 28 beds and two operating rooms, and was designed in partnership with architects Carlos Martinez Architekten and Berneck SG/CH; metal and façade construction company Krapf AG in Engelburg; and overall contractor HRS Real Estate in St. Gallen.

About SageGlass®
SageGlass® is the pioneer of the world’s smartest electrochromic glass and is transforming the indoor experience for people by connecting the built and natural environments. Electronically tintable SageGlass, a product of Saint-Gobain, dynamically optimizes daylight and manages temperature – all while maintaining unobstructed views of the outdoors. With SageGlass, building occupants can comfortably experience the biophilic benefits of the outdoors, including stress reduction, enhanced creativity and an improved sense of wellbeing. Unlike conventional sun controls, such as mechanical window shades or blinds, SageGlass allows architects to elegantly solve solar control challenges without sacrificing aesthetics and design. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, SageGlass is backed by more than 350 years of building science expertise that only the world leader in sustainable environments can provide. Ready to look again? Visit www.SageGlass.com@Sage_Glass on Twitter and Facebook.com/SageGlass.

About Saint-Gobain in North America
Saint-Gobain, the world leader in sustainable environments, has designed and manufactured high-performance building materials that improve the lives of people all over the world. From the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles and the glass pyramid at the Louvre, to the Statue of Liberty and World Trade Center, and even components that allow the Mars rover Curiosity to seek out life on another planet, Saint-Gobain has been a part of the fabric of human history, advancement and improvement.

In North America, the company upholds this rich history of innovation by making a material difference in the spaces where people work, live, play, heal and learn. Along with its North American headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Saint-Gobain has more than 150 locations in North America and approximately 14,000 employees. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain reported sales of approximately $5.7 billion in 2015. Experience our innovation, wonders and advancements by visiting www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com and connect with Saint-Gobain North America on Facebook and Twitter.

About Saint-Gobain
Backed by its experience and capacity to continuously innovate, Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction market, designs, manufactures and distributes high-performance building materials that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of growth, energy efficiency and environmental protection. With 2015 sales of 39.6 billion euros, Saint-Gobain operates in 66 countries and has more than 170,000 employees. For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and @saintgobain on Twitter or download the “Saint-Gobain Shareholder” application for tablets and smartphones.

Source: Business Wire