PROJECT PROFILE: GEHRY’S GLASS FAÇADE “BREATHES LIFE” INTO OLD MUSEUM
/ The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) recently commissioned its renovation to Frank Gehry’s firm, making it the first project in the famous architect’s hometown. The museum reopened late last year to rave architectural reviews. Among the elements celebrated is the building’s glass façade, which the New York Times called, “…a masterly example of how to breathe new life into a staid old structure.” Built with 70,000 square feet of Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 68 on clear, the façade sits one story above the sidewalk and features high performance glass panels that are supported by rows of wooden beams. The glass curves back at the ends of the building to reveal the beams and crisscrossing steel structure. In the words of the New York Times critic, the glass “…seems to wrap the building and embrace passers-by below.”
The original building was created in 1918. Gehry’s grandparents lived just a couple of blocks away and as a child he played in Grange Park, adjacent to the museum. He told Architectural Record in an interview that he vividly remembers his first visit to the museum when he was just eight years old. AGO’s Director and CEO Matthew Teitelbaum told Architectural Record that transparency was very important in the building’s redesign: “…we wanted a strong connection to the city. That’s why Frank designed a long glass façade on Dundas Street. He said he wanted it to be like a painting reflecting the houses across the street.”
The Glass
Trulite Industries, the fabricator on this project, recommended Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 68 on clear for the façade. “The architect was looking for a clear, high-performing glass and that’s what SuperNeutral 68 provides,” said Ray Wakefield of Trulite Industries. “It features 68 percent light transmission, yet does a major job of reducing solar heat gain.”
The façade is made up of sealed glass units, 200 of which were cold-formed to bend from top to bottom and side to side. “We worked closely with the architect and sealant supplier to ensure the units could withstand the stress of the bending in order to accommodate the unique curved design,” said Wakefield. “This was an unusual process for us and the architect and, as a result, the building continues to get rave reviews.”
The Players
● Fabricator – Trulite Industries, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
● Architect – Gehry International, Architects, Inc., Los Angeles, California
● Glazier – Antamex International, Concord, Ontario, Canada
IN THE LEED:
New AIA/CES Course Examines How Glass Can Boost a Project’s LEED Score
As the demand for LEED certified buildings continues to increase and the rating system evolves, architects are challenged to identify new ways to improve a project’s overall score. To help architects understand the sustainability benefits of building with high performance glass as well as the latest LEED for New Construction, Version 3 rating system, Guardian has launched, “LEED and High Performance Glass,” its third continuing education course for architects. Registered with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (AIA/CES), this in-person course examines how high-performance glass can help achieve LEED credits and certification (certified, silver, gold or platinum) from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
Guardian’s accredited course examines the positive energy outcomes achieved by incorporating high performance low emissivity (Low-E) glass into building projects. Because Low-E glass products use a super thin metallic coating, the insulating glass allows natural light in while reducing heat transfer.
Since the launch of the rating system, the USGBC has evolved its points scale several times. The new Guardian course familiarizes participants with the Version 3 LEED rating system, which was established in April 2009 and evaluates projects on a 100-point scale. More points are awarded for strategies that have a greater impact on energy efficiency and carbon dioxide reduction. High performance glass can help to achieve as many as 34 total LEED points. Points for using SunGuard glass can be earned in the following five categories:
● Energy and Atmosphere
● Materials and Resources
● Indoor Environmental Quality
● Innovation and Design
● Regional Priority*
*Guardian SunGuard Advanced Architectural Glass can qualify for LEED points in the Regional Materials category because, in many cases, there will be an independent Guardian Select Fabricator within 500 miles of a project, reducing energy use to transport glass.
The new course also includes two real-world case studies that demonstrate the energy performance benefits of using SunGuard Advanced Architectural glass products. Course participants who earn a passing grade will receive credit toward their annual AIA/CES requirements.
If you are interested in taking the course, visit http://na.en.sunguardglass.com/SpecificationsResources/AIAContinuingEducationPrograms/index.htm or send an e-mail to .
PRODUCT UPDATE:
New SunGuard SatinDeco Marries Energy Savings with Translucent Beauty
Guardian’s SatinDeco high performance glass is manufactured using an acid-etching process, which results in a silky smooth, flat glass surface that disperses light and transforms transparent float glass into translucent glass. Unlike similar products manufactured using a batch process, Guardian’s manufacturing technique creates a perfectly uniform finish. It creates settings that appear to glow from within. Guardian also offers ClimaGuard SatinDeco for residential windows and ShowerGuard SatinDeco, a patented, permanently-protected glass for shower enclosures. SatinDeco is also available on clear and low-iron float glass from 3.2 mm to 19 mm as well as on mirrored substrates, making it perfect for insulating glass walls, tabletops, shelves, light fixtures, countertops and wall partitions. To request samples of SunGuard SatinDeco, go to www.sunguardglass.com or call 1-866-GuardSG.
TRENDS:
Guardian’s Scott Thomsen Sheds Light on Solar at Industry Conference
During his 30-minute presentation titled, “Solar Energy and the Flat Glass Industry,” Thomsen cited three leading indicators of increasing demand for solar applications:
● Dubai’s new building codes require buildings of a certain height to use building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glass
● A shift to a more efficient solar technology using thin film cells
● Growth of concentrating solar power (CSP) -- in the United States, CSP will have a greater impact on the glass industry this year than BIPV technologies.
TECHNICAL CORNER:
Guardian Sponsors “Daylight Savings” Continuing Education Unit
Guardian is currently sponsoring a continuing education article for architects, titled “Daylight Savings: Window Systems Deliver Light and Reduced Energy Costs.” The article, which is registered with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System, can be accessed through Architectural Record’s Web site. The piece showcases effective daylighting designs that reduce energy costs and provide climate control. Readers will learn about the latest technology in low-emissivity (Low-E) glass and hear from a variety of glass experts, including Chris Dolan, Guardian’s director of commercial glass products.
Effective daylighting strategies can contribute to a project’s LEED score. The article includes a variety of tools and resources to help an architect factor daylighting into their vision.
Window selection is often among the first steps in daylighting design. But as Dolan points out in the article, more windows do not automatically equal more daylighting. In fact, the sun provides approximately 7,000 to 10,000 foot candles of light, while indoor office spaces typically only need about 50 foot candles. Too much daylight can cause glare and other problems related to temperature and occupant discomfort. Readers will learn that not all Low-E glass products are created equal. “Unless the correct coated glass is installed there can be occupant discomfort, increased energy consumption and a costly strain on cooling systems,” said Dolan. The article also provides a glossary of important glazing terms, including the following:
● U-Value: a measure of how well a product conducts heat – that is, how efficiently it keeps heat out of the building in the summer, and how well it keeps heat in during the winter (Check out our insulating glass products for a high performance glass unlike any other)
● R-Value: a measure of how well a material resists heat flow
● Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): a rating that indicates how effective the product is at blocking the heat caused by the sun
● Visible Light Transmittance: the amount of visible light that passes through the glazing material of a window, expressed as a percentage
● Light to Solar Gain Ratio: a measure of the ability of a glazing to transmit daylight while blocking heat gains
To read the entire article, which was originally published in the June 2009 issue of Architectural Record, visit Http://continuingeducation.construction.com/article.php?L=167&C=524.
TIPS: How to View Glass Hand Samples with Precision
/Coated glass is best viewed when you can see its reflected color, the color seen in outdoor or natural lighting conditions. The best way to see the reflected color of glass is to view it with a black background. This is accomplished by positioning the sample so that you can look at an image that is reflected from the glass surface. Guardian recently introduced the “Build With Light” portable glass studio, which allows architects to evaluate glass under different light conditions – in their offices – so they can see how it will truly look once it’s installed.
To properly view glass samples on your own, follow these steps:
● Place a piece of black paper or other low-gloss material on a flat surface
● Position the glass with the exterior side up, but keep it at a distance from the background
● Hold the glass in a vertical or slightly angled position
● Make sure the image of the overhead light is reflected from the glass surface
● Look through the glass to get the best indication of its appearance once installed
If you are interested in the transmitted color, try using a white background. But, keep in mind, transmitted color is not what you see once the glass is installed in a building.
Ideally, samples would be viewed in outdoor/natural lighting conditions during various times of day and under different weather circumstances. This will provide a truer indication of what the glass will look like and how different conditions impact your design intent. Also consider angle of observation, interior lighting conditions and potential effects of glare when choosing glazing products.
The SunGuard sample viewing box was inspired by the “Build With Light” studio, which was unveiled at the 2008 American Institute of Architects annual convention. It simulates natural daylight and shows how the appearance of glass changes when viewed in transmitted and reflected light. Since the convention reaches a limited number of architects over a short period of time, Guardian decided to take the studio concept “on the road” with the “Build With Light” box. SunGuard territory sales managers can now provide all the benefits of the studio to architects in their offices any day of the week. Please call 1-866.GuardSG to make arrangements for one of our sales managers to bring the box to your offices.
“The box gives you a very good sense of what the glass would look like in place. In our office, our windows are tinted, so we have a disadvantage. It’s a great asset because we had nothing before but to hold it up to the light.”
-- Gene Schuler, Principal, BSA Lifestructures
“As architects, we hold glass up to light to see the quality of light that transmits through it, but we forget that reflectance comes off the glass on the exterior. The box is a very good tool for architects to see a realistic representation of what glazing will look like from an exterior point of view. We can also put other framing materials – either curtainwalls or storefront frames – next to the glass so we can see all the colors on the outside of the building.”
-- Tom Ning, Graduate Architect, Schmidt Associates
Note: Build With Light, ClimaGuard, Guardian, Guardian Select, SatinDeco, ShowerGuard, SunGuard, and SuperNeutral are trademarks of Guardian Industries Corp.