Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal™

™Architects’GuideTO GLASS & METAL

Also Inside:• High-Performance Glazing• What’s Next for Kitchens and Baths• Building Up the Condo Market

Volume 28 • Issue 1 January/February 2014

A Publication of Key Communications Inc. • Subscribe online at www.glass.com/subcenter

Volume 28 • Issue 1 January/February 2014

Smoothas SilkSmoothas Silk

The Krishna P. SinghCenter for NanotechnologyThe Krishna P. SinghCenter for Nanotechnology

www.glassguides.com 1

©2014 by Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved. The Architects’ Guide to Glass and Metal is published bi-monthly by Key Communications Inc., 385 Garrisonville Road, Suite 116, Stafford, VA 22554; 540/720-5584; fax540/720-5687. Advertising offices listed at left. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will not be returned.All contents are ©2014 by Key Communications Inc. Neither publisher nor its representatives nor its subcontractorsassume liability for errors in text, charts, advertisements, etc. and suggest appropriate companies be contactedbefore specifications or use of products advertised or included in editorial materials. Views and opinions expressedby authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. For permission to reprint, contact editorial office. No repro-duction permitted without expressed written permission of the publisher. Printed in the U.S. Questions? Call540/720-5584. Send subscription inquiries to Key Communications Inc., P.O. Box 569, Garrisonville, VA 22463.

Architects’GuideTO GLASS & METAL

Columns and Departments

2 METAL MATTERS

3 NEW PRODUCT FOCUS

4 PROJECTS

14 EDUCATION & RESOURCES

15 EVENT OUTLOOK

16 CONTINUING EDUCATION CORNER

Volume 28, Issue 1, January/February 2014

On the CoverThe Krishna P.Singh Center forNanotechnology atthe University ofPennsylvania inPhiladelphiaincorporates anumber of glaz-ing products fab-ricated by J.E.Berkowitz. Turn to page 4 tolearn more. Photo by GregBenson.

CONTENTS

Green MachineHigh-performance glazing products ledthe way at Greenbuild and promise tohelp sustain commercial glazing in 2014.

Reflections of the FutureGlass trends in kitchens and bathrooms are alreadyshowing a futuristic slant. As time passes, interac-tive and decorative uses of glass in these homeareas are only expected to increase.

The New Glass CondoIn select urban areas, condo-miniums are riding anotherconstruction upswing, butwith a few new twists.

Editor Ellen RogersExtension 118 • [email protected]

Contributing Tara TafferaEditor Extension 113 • [email protected] Casey NeeleyEditor Extension 120 • [email protected] Projects Megan HeadleyEditor Extension 114 • [email protected] Dawn CampbellEditor Extension 150 • [email protected] Ashley WeaverArtists Extension 132 • [email protected] Erin HarrisCoordinator Extension 0 • [email protected] Tina CzarManager Extension 115 • [email protected] Marketing Holly BillerDirector Extension 123 • [email protected] Janeen MulliganRelations Mgr. Extension 112 • [email protected] Bryan HoveyDeveloper Extension 125 • [email protected] Chris BunnProducer Extension 121 • [email protected] Debra A. Levy

Extension 111 • [email protected] by Key Communications Inc.P.O. Box 569Garrisonville, VA 22463 USA540/720-5584; fax 540/720-5687

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™


Also Inside:• High-Performance Glazing• What’s Next for Kitchens and Baths• Building Up the Condo Market

Volume 28 • Issue 1January/February 2014

A Publication of Key Communications Inc. • Subscribe online at www.glass.com/subcenter

Volume 28 • Issue 1January/February 2014Smooth

as SilkSmoothas Silk

The Krishna P. SinghCenter for Nanotechnology

The Krishna P. SinghCenter for Nanotechnology

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the ability of a fenestration prod-uct to attenuate the transmissionof sound is measured in severalways: Transmission Loss (TL),Sound Transmission Class (STC)and Outdoor-Indoor TransmissionClass (OITC). In all cases, the high-er the number, the more the intrud-ing sound is blocked.

TL is a standardized measure ofnoise reduction in decibels for spe-cific frequency ranges. Noise iscomposed of multiple sound fre-quencies, so the STC, a singlenumerical rating, is the most com-

monly used metric for indoor partitionsand acoustic wall treatments. STC is based

on sounds in the frequency range typical ofhuman speech. Although this is generally a satis-factory way to rank the ability of building enve-lope components to reduce noise from sourcessuch as neighbors’ conversations, it does not prop-erly rate insulation against noise from the typicaloutdoor urban environment.

Sound Explanations To cover this deficiency, the OITC was devised

to represent the attenuation of noise from exteri-or sources more accurately. It is based on a spec-trum weighted more to lower frequencies typicalof the noise produced by cars, motorcycles, trucks,elevated trains and air traffic.

How much the intrusive outdoor sound isblocked depends on a window’s shape, its size rel-ative to the wavelength of the sound, the glass-to-frame ratio and the way in which the glass ismounted in the sash or frame. Improved soundcontrol tends to be an extra benefit of energy-effi-cient window design, as the features that reducethermal conductivity and air infiltration also tendto reduce sound transmission.

These features include (but are not limited to):• Double glazing (insulating glass units).Generally, the wider the air space between theinner and outer glazing, the greater the soundattenuation. However, there is a point of dimin-

ishing returns. Despite the intuitive belief thatadding another layer of glass must be beneficial,triple glazing provides little additional improve-ment over double glazing, unless the interlayerseparation is very large.

• Laminated glass. The plastic interlayer damp-ens vibrational energy; however, the degree ofattenuation is somewhat temperature dependent;cold winter weather can diminish this benefit.

• Sealants and weatherstripping. Sound transmis-sion through operating joints around windowsmay drastically reduce their sound attenuatingcapability, especially at higher frequencies.

• Robust framing. Strong, stiff frames resistvibration. Those with engineered profiles con-sisting of open spaces help reduce noise trans-mission in much the same way as double glazing.

• Glass thickness. Though of limited value, the useof different glass thicknesses in insulating glazingunits has proven to provide greater sound controlthan using the same thickness for both lites, dueto the different frequency response. Thicker glasson the outdoor side is said to work best.

Industry Standards for Sound ControlAs with any performance parameter, a reliable

methodology must be employed to obtain uni-form and comparable measurements that enableevaluation of different products in a fair andconsistent manner. To accomplish this, AAMArecently updated its Voluntary Specification forthe Acoustical Rating of Windows, Doors andGlazed Wall Sections (AAMA 1801-13), whichdescribes sound transmission loss measurementprocedures for fenestration products.

AAMA TIR A1, Sound Control forFenestration Products, offers additional infor-mation on the characteristics of sound, how it istransmitted, how it is measured and how itstransmission can be controlled and quantifiedusing STC and OITC indices. AGG

Fenestration systemscan be designed to offer acoustic performance, dampening soundsfrom a variety ofsources, such as airplanes.

M e t a l M a t t e r s

Sound EffectsAcoustic Performance of Doors and Windows

by Dean Lewis

2 www.glassguides.com Architects’ Guide to Glass & Metal

Dean Lewis is the educational and technicalinformation manager for the American ArchitecturalManufacturers Association in Schaumburg, Ill.

January/February 2014 www.glassguides.com 3

doors and windowsRated AW The Mikron C3-11300 AW-rated door and win-

dow system, designed to meet AW performance-grade requirements governed by the North AmericanFenestration Standard (NAFS) for use in mid- andhigh-rise buildings, is now available from QuanexBuilding Products. The Mikron C3-11300 is the firstproduct in the company’s architectural series. Its patented MikronBlend® vinyl compound is

standard for the Mikron C3-11300 to ensure opti-mal weathering and durability, even in intenseUV, temperature, and salt air environments. It isengineered to achieve NFRC .20 U-factor withcondensation resistance over 75. → www.quanex.com.

metal panelsGet Una-Clad in Firestone High performing metal wall panel systems for

commercial buildings are available from FirestoneBuilding Products. The company’s Una-Clad wallpanel systems are offered in different materials tofit needs of individual commercial building proj-ects. Firestone Building Products has three alu-minum composite panels which are designed witha thermoplastic core bonded to aluminum skins. → www.firestonebpco.com/wall/wall-panel-systems

A Good Time to Bond Alcoa Architectural Products has a range of

cladding and innovative finish solutions, includ-ing its Design Line finishes for Reynobond® alu-minum composite material (ACM), Reynobondpanels with EcoClean coating and impact-resist-ant Reynobond with Kevlar® ACM.They Reynobond ACM is a series of 39 nature-

inspired paint finishes that the company says arevirtually indistinguishable from natural materials.The panels with the EcoClean coating are market-ed as being able to clean themselves and the airaround them while the Reynobond with KevlarACM helps provide hurricane protection.Reynobond composite material consists of a

polyethylene or fire-retardant compound corebetween two sheets of aluminum, brushed alu-minum, zinc or copper. It can be routed, drilled,punched, cut, bent, curved and formed. → www.reynobond.com

glassTransparent Transformation Transparent, solar control, low-E glass-

es rise to new levels of clarity and solarcontrol with Solarban 67 glass by PPG.According to the company, the glass isengineered with a proprietary double-sil-ver, magnetron-sputtered vacuum deposi-tion coating. While clear glass is stan-dard, it can also be specified with blue,green and earth-toned on the second orthird surface of an insulating glass unit. → www.ppgideascapes.com

interlayersYou Can Sefar

®with This Vision

Vision aluminum-coated precision fabric interlay-ers from Sefar Architecture are now printable digital-ly. UV-resistant inks allow architects and designersto produce Pantone colors, patterns, pictures or anyother design effects on building exteriors withoutobstructing views from inside, according to the com-pany. Designs can be created across the entire lengthof a glass wall partition, curtainwall or even theentire expanse of a building’s glass façade.Sefar Architecture Vision is laminated within

glass or other transparent materials to createdesign possibilities in exterior glass façades, win-dows and interior and decorative glass partitionwall systems. The fabrics are available in five dif-ferent fabric density configurations. → www.sefar.us/vision

N e w P r o d u c t F o c u s

decorative glassDon't Hem and Haw,Just Scrimshaw

The newest product from PulpStudio is Scrimshaw which takesthe tradition of scrimshaw etch-ing and applies it to the surfaceof glass. Scrimshaw can be cus-tom fit and applied to wall parti-tioning, door lites, tabletops,office dividers, storefronts, sig-nage, furniture, handrails, sky-lights, windows, light fixtures,wall panels and elevator cabpaneling.→ www.pulpstudio.com AGG

sleek is one word you could use to describe thenewly opened Krishna P. Singh Center forNanotechnology at the University of Pennsylvania(UPenn) campus in Philadelphia. The high-techresearch facility and laboratory features 18,000square feet of glazing fabricated by J.E. Berkowitz(JEB). New York City-based architects Marion Weissand Michael Manfredi of Weiss/Manfredi designedthe acid-etched and silk-screened glass-clad, 78,000-square-foot building to accommodate UPenn’swork in nanotechnology.According to project manager Todd Hoehn, of

Weiss/Manfredi, “The crystalline façade overlook-ing the central courtyard was critical to the project.We were able to create a custom effect by combin-ing five matching, but offset acid-etched and silk-screened patterns in insulating glass units (IGU).”“The most interesting aspect of this project

was the fabrication and assembly of the two cus-tom components for each IGU,” adds DarrellCherry, project manager for JEB. “Each lite hadto be precisely aligned to achieve the desired win-dow blind effect. The result is fascinating.”National Glass and Metal Co. Inc. of Horsham,

Pa., served as contract glazier for the project. JEB

fabricated the 1-5/16-inch IGUs with ¼-inch interiorlites featuring silk-screened patterns. The exteriorlites used acid-etched patterns by Walker Glass Co.of Herminie, Pa., which was laminated with ¼-inch lites of high-performance low-E glass byGuardian Industries.“The artistic glass façade created a building

skin that appears to be made of layers of glazingdue to the use of acid etching and silk screening,”says Chris Dolan, director of commercial glassmarketing for Guardian Industries. “The projectused Guardian SunGuard AG 50 low-E onUltraWhite low-iron glass to help reduce glareand solar heat gain while providing a public spacefilled with natural light.”According to a statement from R.A. Heintges

& Associates, the curtainwall consultant for theproject which included a 30,000 square footcladding area, “The design for this new buildinghousing a nanoscale research center at theUniversity of Pennsylvania utilizes a wall system ofopaque metal panels to wrap the delicate researchlaboratories at the north side of the site. The inte-rior includes a glass atrium that offers interactionwith the landscaped southern lawn, and anascending spiral of multi-use spaces that culmi-nates in a public forum overlooking the campus.”Completed in October 2013, the Krishna P.

Singh Center has already received design recogni-tion by winning the Chicago Athenaeum’s 2013International Architecture Award and the 2013American Architecture Award. AGG

Completed lastOctober, the glassynew center hasalready received anumber of awardsand is targetingLEED SilverCertification.

P r o j e c t s

In designing the Krishna P. Singh Center forNanotechnology, architects combined five matchingbut offset acid-etched and silkscreened patterns ininsulating glass units.

Photos: Greg Benson.

Smooth as Silk


environmentally friendly and energy efficientare two phrases window manufacturers and sup-pliers hear regularly and there was certainly noshortage of those terms at the 2013 GreenbuildShow, held in Philadelphia, November 20-22.Green glazing and high-performance windowsruled, with many exhibitors on hand to discussthe superior performance of their products.The event, hosted by the U.S. Green Building

Council (USGBC) also saw the launch of LEEDv4. Exhibitors were eager to show how their prod-ucts met or exceeded the high expectations ofLEED certification and green manufacturing.

A Lower UEric Thompson, product sales specialist at

Quanex Building Products, says much of thedemand among attendees and architects is achiev-ing lower U-values without decreasing thestrength of the window.

“Increasingly we’re hearing from architects anddevelopers, ‘how can we get our U-value into thelow .20 range, and even below that, but still havethe same structural strength?’” he says, addingthat the company’s Mikron C3-11300 productanswers that request. “It’s a dual-action window.It can be tilted in from the top to create ventila-tion, has a glazing capacity of 1 and 5/8-inches andwe’re in the low .16 U-value range.”Guardian Industries also displayed products to

help achieve low U-value, including its SunGuardNeutral 78/65 and SunGuard SNX 52/23. “Once the heat comes in it [SunGuard Neutral

78/65] keeps it in, so it’s really good for northernclimates. You get free heat and energy,” says ChrisDolan, director of commercial glazing forGuardian. “[SunGuard SNX 52/53] lets in a medi-um amount of light but it also blocks the heatfrom coming in, so really it can be used in manycommercial structures, but in particular, in the

southern climates, southwest,southeast, even in the Midwestit’s an excellent choice.”

Efficient SafetyWhile some companies

showcased energy-efficient glaz-ing, others chose to displaymulti-faceted options thatoffer safety in addition to ther-mal properties.Kawneer Co. Inc. displayed a

variety of glazing options, includ-ing its IR 501UT, which is alsoimpact- and blast-resistant.The company’s 1630 SS IR

curtainwall, which has under-gone hurricane and blast-miti-gation standards testing, com-plimented its line of thermaloptions, including the OptiQUltra thermal window, shownby Traco.“That ties into the whole

sustainability picture for build-ings,” says Donnie Hunter,


Green MachineHigh-Performance Windows and Products Take the Spotlight at Greenbuildby Casey Neeley

Below: Somecompanies, such asKawneer, featuredproducts that combinethe performance of boththermal and securitybenefits. Below right:Sage’s CEO, Dr. AlanMcLenaghan, discussedthe company’selectrochromic glazingproducts at Greenbuild.


product manager for storefront, entrance andframing. “Years ago we just looked at thermal per-formance as the main driver when we talkedabout green or sustainability but now it incorpo-rates the whole façade of the building.

“Over the years, our emphasis on productdesign has really been on true thermal perform-ance with the addition of security in mind forboth the hurricane-resistant markets and theblast-mitigation areas for buildings,” he adds.

Mary Oliver, director of marketing forTubelite, told Architects’ Guide to Glass & Metalabout her company’s security product expansion.

The company’s high-performance storefrontsystem features an additional pour and debridgedthermal break pocket, which helps it to withstandvarying and extreme climates and conditions.

“It will actually increase from our normal sin-gle core up to a condensation resistance factor of69 and a U-value of .29,” she says. “We’reexpanding it into our hurricane- and blast-resist-ant products.”

A Dynamic YearAnother highly talked about multi-purpose

product that had a big showing was dynamic glaz-ing. Of the multiple companies featuring suchproducts, Sage Electrochromics and View eachhad new offerings.

The big news at Sage was the company’s intro-duction of wireless electrochromics.

“Architects have asked us for a wire-free elec-trochromic solution for their hard-to-wire designsand renovations,” says Andrew Hulse, vice presidentof sales. “This will enable them to incorporate newapplications for dynamic glass in their designs whichwill further expand the market for dynamic glass.”

“The installation is easier because you basicallyput it in the frame and don’t have to run wires,”adds Dr. Helen Sanders, vice president of techni-cal business development. “It’s powered by photo-voltaics and there’s battery storage.”

Erich Klawuhn, vice president of product man-agement at View, says the company, whichlaunched its products at the 2012 GreenbuildShow, has increased the sizes it offers.

“It’s been an exciting year, as we’ve scaled upto 5-foot-by-10-foot glass, which is the maximumscale of dynamic glass,” he says.

Pleotint was also on hand to showcase its newinterlayer, Suntuitive, which is a thermochromicinterlayer for laminated glass that gradually dark-ens as a response to changing temperatures fromdirect sunlight.

A Green FutureIf the show is any indication, sustainable build-

ing processes are here to stay and may help theslow-to-recover markets pick up the pace.

“The green market is really growing for us a lot,”says Nick Ferrari, account manager for SapaExtrusions. “Business is pretty good across most mar-kets. 2013 was a little stagnant but a lot of people areexcited about aluminum extrusions for 2014.”

For others, the show provides a great place tonetwork and discuss the practicality and growthof green practices.

“What’s exciting is people come in and see allof our products and we’re sharing ideas back andforth about how to make sustainable buildingmore of a reality,” says Bill Allan director of com-munications at Bayer MaterialScience. AGG

Guardian Industries(top) showcased itshigh-performanceglass while Quanex(second) offered avariety of productsfor achieving low U-factors.

hen pondering glass of the future, one of ourfavorite childhood cartoons The Jetsons might cometo mind. While we might not yet have the option ofinstantly creating a meal at the touch of a button orbeing surrounded by glass that works seamlessly withtechnology, is this vision of the future that far off?

From the appliances we use to the backsplash-es decorating our kitchens, glass is creeping intoour everyday lives more frequently.

“We see smart appliances that are able to ‘think’for themselves,” says Vince Capozzi, Guardian’sglobal market director of appliances. “What is greatabout glass is that it can be the interface betweenthe user and the appliance. Appliances will be ableto transmit data that can help keep food preserved,prepare food and shopping lists. Glass can be themedium for that communication.”

“The way we use glass has changed, as ourlifestyles have changed,” adds Mike Johnson,Pilkington’s regional sales and marketing manager.

“The display market continues to grow steadily.Lifestyles have changed; available morning timehas been compressed for the typical family.Display technologies have allowed the basic TV to

become easily integrated into a fluid bath andkitchen design,” he explains.

Taking a more decorative architectural view,Ryan Price, Guardian’s global product director ofinteriors, adds, “Glass provides a surface that canintegrate into any design concept. Its surface iseasy to clean, highly reflective and allows greattransparency. It can be processed to bring dramat-ic texture, color and light into any space.”

Quite simply, glass can be used in a multitudeof ways to enhance natural light and add patternand texture, while perhaps also including a noteof practicality.

“Technology has the potential to transformwhat products architects use in future designs forthe interior and exterior,” says Capozzi. “Someitems may become more multi-functional and theversatility of glass will make it so.”

Glass is easy to install and keep clean, makingits popularity climb in a multitude of uses, pointsout Alice Dickerson, AGC Glass Co. NorthAmerica’s manager of marketing communicationsfor building and industrial products.

“Whether it is in the bathroom, or any room, itcan be used in cabinet fronts, counter tops, vanitytops and more. More glass tiles are being used, aswell. And glass can be added in a solid sheet, suchas for backsplashes and in bathrooms, so youdon’t have grout lines to maintain,” she explains.

The Glass Landscape of Tomorrow If we look back ten years or so ago, glass tended to

be used wherever transparency was needed. But thelandscape of kitchens and bathrooms is changing.

“Today, the use of glass has expanded dramati-cally,” says Price. “The range of applications hasincreased as well as the decorative and functionalelements within each of those applications.”

A big example of this is the introduction ofbackpainted glass, meaning it can now be usedmore often on walls to add a variety of colors anda unique look.

“Colored glass tiles, as well as entire glass back-


Glass Market Trends Support Kitchens and Baths of Tomorrowby Jenna Reed

REFLECTIONS OFTHE FUTURE

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“Whether it is in the bathroom, or any room, it can be usedin cabinet fronts, counter tops, vanity tops and more. Moreglass tiles are being used, as well. And glass can be added

in a solid sheet, such as for backsplashes and in bathrooms,so you don’t have grout lines to maintain.”

—Alice Dickerson, AGC

splashes are very popular today,” Price says.“Similarly, some high-end design settings areusing an accent wall of backpainted glass as analternative to tile in a luxury shower enclosure.”

The ways glass can replace traditional materialsappear almost endless.

“Some innovative firms are using glass as acounter or surface material,” Price points out.“ThinkGlass in Canada uses a fusion process tocreate thick glass counters that have some inher-ent scratch-resistance. Coatings such asGuardian’s ShowerGuard® and DiamondGuard®

will seal the glass surface, making it easy to cleanand ten times stronger than ordinary glass.”

And don’t forget about the possibilities castglass, acid-etched glass and high-end textured glassproducts can bring to architecture, he notes.

AGC offers Krystal Patterns™, which is a low-iron decorative glass that can be used in interiorapplications to liven up a kitchen or bathroom’satmosphere.

Dickerson says this glass “creates unique, dis-tinctive patterns with varying degrees of privacyand diffusion while producing a virtually colorlessappearance.”

Pilkington has an array of decorative glass offer-ings, as well, including Pilkington Texture™ for cab-inet designs and Pilkington Optiwhite™ low-ironglass, which can be used in shower enclosures, back-painted glass and more, according to Johnson.

Speaking of appliances, Capozzi says glassusage here is also taking on a bigger role.

“We certainly see evidence of a continuedincrease in glass usage over the next five to tenyears,” he says. “In addition to the decorative types,we see an increased usage in appliances, where theappliance has an integrated control screen for addi-tional functionality. We also see increased use ofglass in traditional appliances such as oven doorsthat use larger ‘windows’ into the appliance.”

Interactive display technologies are expected togrow in design interfaces, says Johnson.

Pilkington offers several products geared to this

market, such as Pilkington TEC™, which is atouch-screen substrate. This glass is a “con-ductive surface product that has many appli-cations that apply to the kitchen marketplacesuch as being an integral component productto touch-screen systems and is used extensive-ly in thermal oven lites,” Johnson says.

Products of TomorrowA hot topic area for growth in research and

development is “switchable” glass products. Pricesays Guardian’s glass has a special film laminatedbetween two glass lites that can switch from opaqueto transparent when an electric current is applied.

“We are involved in various advancements inbackpainted and low-iron glass products, andother innovative options for commercial and inte-rior applications,” says Price.

“We will begin to see more products that usedisplay and data technology that integrate thefunctions of a home and create value and efficien-cies for the home owner,” Capozzi adds.

According to Johnson, designers are lookingfor products that not only incorporate “desirableaesthetics, but also address the need for function-al information convenience.”

“Today’s information-dominated lifestylesdemand more than just pleasing looks. It willinclude TV news, events, a social media connec-tion, phone and email capabilities, home systems’management and more,” Johnson says.

The products on the market have alreadybrought the future to today, Johnson adds.

“We are seeing architects becoming aware ofthese capabilities and seeking assistance in devel-oping those performance specifications. We con-tinue to push the design envelope and are excitedabout where these applications may take ourpyrolytic product offerings,” Johnson says. AGG

Jenna Reed is a contributing editor for theArchitects’ Guide to Glass & Metal magazine. She canbe reached at [email protected].

Glass is being used in anumber of settings inside thehome, including kitchencounter tops.

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Condos Are Back in a Big New Way

By Megan Headley

GLASS CONDOThe New

if certain economic predictions ring true, 2014could just be the year of the condo. Althoughapartments have been leading the multifamilyconstruction upturn of the last few years, condo-minium projects are poised to pick up steam,according to recent data from Robert Murray,vice president of economic affairs for McGrawHill Construction.

In its 2014 forecast, McGraw Hill Constructionsuggested that multifamily housing will rise 11percent in dollars and 9 percent in units in theyear ahead. While growth continues, the construc-tion forecaster predicts that the percentage gainswill be smaller than the previous four years,reflecting a “maturing multifamily market.”However, because the group sees these structuresstill being favored by the real estate finance com-munity as investment targets, McGraw Hill saysthis should, in the near term, lead to more high-rise residential buildings in major cities.

Indeed, Mic Patterson, director of strategicdevelopment for the Los-Angeles-based glazingcontractor Enclos, finds, “Improvement in the tallbuilding sector continues, largely focused in selecturban markets such as New York City and Miami,where high-rise luxury condo projects lead con-struction activity. In the West, San Francisco,Seattle and Los Angeles also are in the midst ofan uptick for this building type.”

“High-rise is coming back,” agrees Tim Nass,vice president of national sales for Safti First inSan Francisco. “We are seeing a combination ofoffice building, mixed-use as well as hotel develop-ment. The bulk of the exterior high-rise applica-tions are in the population-dense Northeast.”

Quality ReignsWhile the cycle of up-and-down demand for con-

dos may be a familiar one for many glazing contrac-tors, this upswing seems to be bringing with it anumber of changes compared to past buildingbooms. Chief among these changes seems to be awelcome conscientiousness about quality.

TSI Corp. in Upper Marlboro, Md., is onecontract glazing company that is finding thatbuilder interest in quality has improved over pre-vious condo development cycles. “Condos have alot more glass and metal panels than previousmarkets. Condos also are using better grade win-dow wall and curtainwall products,” says PeterCornellier, vice president, exterior walls, for TSI.

According to Joe Marks, director of businessdevelopment for Architectural Glass andAluminum in Livermore, Calif., this is, in part,because glass is playing a noticeably bigger role inquality projects these days.

“Glass plays an extremely large role, specificallyon the mid-level to high-end residential units with

Guardian BermanGlass edition’s Aquipattern is used in ahigh-rise apartmentin Vancouver.

Photo: Joe

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view potential,” Marks says. “Lower-end or afford-able housing units tend to use a higher ratio ofsolid materials (i.e. plaster, precast concrete, etc.)than glass. The quality of the glass is also criticalbecause regardless of the AAMA standards, buy-ers of seven-figure condominiums will literallystand inches from the glass and object to theslightest imperfection.”

The shift in quality may be most noticeable tothose subcontractors who saw the “just get itdone” attitude of general contractors in previouscondo building booms. “At the end of the lastboom the quality we saw was going down anddown toward the end,” recalls Glen Greenberg,president of Elmont Glass in Garden City Park,N.Y. “I remember one particular job where they[the general contractor] wanted us to install show-er enclosures but they had no supports in thewalls and no blocking like they’re supposed tohave. They said ‘when you glue the glass to themarble that will hold it all together.’ We said ‘No,no, that’s not the right way to do it. It has to bedone safely or we’re not interested.’ So theyripped all the stuff out and put in the properblocking, etc.”

Changing DemandsThat shift toward higher quality could be at

least in part because of a shifting interest to high-(or multi-) performance glass products.

For example, Michael Downs, president of glaz-ing contractor Downs Glass Co. Inc. in Sarasota,Fla., says his company is seeing a world of differ-ence in product demand during this constructionupswing. “The difference in the glass perform-ance now compared to the last big high-rise boomis worlds apart. We actually study the energy coef-ficients with the high-performance soft coats nowto where before just tinted glass was goodenough,” he says.

“The evolution of the building code has drivenenergy performance to higher levels,” Markspoints out. However, he adds, “Sound attenua-tion and control also has become more demand-ing. Though enhanced sound control has longbeen a requirement, the base level of perform-ance has continued to increase.”

In the south Florida market where stringent

hurricane codes truly dictate product selection,Downs is finding that more customers are lookingto balance this performance with high visibility.

“When doing a high-rise retrofit, glass is hugein terms of making the visibility as clear as possi-ble,” Downs says. He notes, however, that itsometimes falls to the glazing contractor to edu-cate designers and unit owners on how that bal-ance is achieved. “Window mulls and stile barsare a little larger [for] hurricane impact and insu-lating [requirements]. Not only is the glass insulat-ing, but the frame is usually thermally-broken,which is truly as important as the glass makeupbecause it is part of the energy factor.”

This new balance makes sense to Patterson, whosays, “The buyer of a high eight-figure luxurycondo, after all, expects both unrestricted views andcomfort.” Still, he agrees, “Optimal access to view,daylight and natural ventilation are waxing trends,with view and daylight certainly favoring the contin-ued extensive use of glass in the façade, althoughthis must be carefully balanced with energy efficien-cy, as well as thermal and acoustical comfort.”

Product manufacturers are seeing this interestin visibility and performance being translated intodemand for large lites of multifunctional glass.

“The focus is on larger lites of glass. Ourproducts show up on the podium or mid-levelsof the building that are dominated by pressurewall systems,” Nass says of his company’s fire-rated offerings. “Natural daylighting in com-mon areas of the building is pretty typical, andwe have to provide that like the non-ratedmanufacturers.”

According to Robert Salzer, president ofMannix Windows in Brentwood, N.Y.,“Everything today is a high-performance glass.”

However, like Downs, Salzer finds that design-ers of this new batch of multifamily residentialtowers need help understanding how to balancethe benefits, and potential challenges, of workingwith glass. “The problem [for designers] is youcan’t get the thermal performance out of the glassthat you can get out of an insulated wall. That’s anegative, but they’re still using more glass in thehigh-rise buildings,” Salzer says.

“The difference in the glass performance now compared to thelast big high-rise boom is worlds apart. We actually study theenergy coefficients with the high-performance soft coats now to

where before just tinted glass was good enough.”–Michael Downs, Downs Glass

GLASS CONDO

continued on page 12

The Kensington, amulti-family high risein Boston,incorporates a one-hour, fire-ratedcurtainwall thatmeets ASTM E-119and was subjected toand successfullypassed dynamiccurtainwall testing.The glazing was alsoinsulated withSolarban 70 XL forenergy performance.

Photo: Safti First


The East Coast BoomAccording to McGraw-Hill, during the first ten

months of 2013, the leading metropolitan areas formultifamily construction starts (ranked by dollar vol-ume) were New York City, Boston, Washington D.C.,Miami and Los Angeles.

According to Joe Marks, director of businessdevelopment for Architectural Glass and Aluminumin Livermore, Calif., the comeback is “concentratedin the high density urban areas.” He adds, “Themarket activity is similar to the 2007 levels, but withan increase in apartments versus condominiums.”

Elmont Glass in Garden City Park, N.Y., is oneglazing contractor experiencing the action increasingin New York. “Business is coming back nicely inNew York,” says Glen Greenberg, president ofElmont Glass. “Across the board we hear goodthings: condos, high-rises and colleges, hospitals,too. Glass seems the current choice of architectsand designers these days.”

Greenberg sees this as just the start of a goodthing. “I think we’ve started to see the beginning ofa nice little growth cycle because the prices arestarting to inch their way up a little bit, which isgood for the glaziers,” he says.

While New York may be seeing a resurgence ofhigh-rise construction—Engineering News Record(ENR) notes that the residential sector dominatestower construction in the city, with many under-devel-opment buildings in “prime locations” being advertisedas luxury condos—it’s not the only city in theNortheast where builders are rushing to put up condosto meet new demand.

Among the bigger projects under development isBoston’s upcoming 645-foot Millennium Tower.Handel Architects is behind what’s gearing up to bethe tallest residential building in the United Stateswest of Chicago, set to include a mix of condomini-ums, retail and other amenities. More to the point,glass is at the heart of the design team’s vision forthe 60-story tower. According to information from thefirm, “The exterior is designed to create the impres-sion of a translucent crystal, with materials thatincorporate a variety of glass and metal fins to crafta sense of lightness and transparency. The tower’sslender proportions, combined with clean lines and asleek profile, visually reinforce the elegance of the

crystalline character. The exterior profile has beensculpted with chamfered corners and faceted planescreating a perception that the building’s silhouetteshifts as the light changes throughout the day.”

Glazing contractors also are seeing the action fur-ther down the East Coast.

“The condo market has stayed busy in the metro-politan Washington, D.C., area and remains thehottest segment in the market going in to 2014,”says Peter Cornellier, vice president, exterior walls,TSI Corp. in Upper Marlboro, Md. Among TSI’srecent projects is the capital’s CityCenterDC, a mixeduse center that includes, among other things, morethan 200 condo units.

High-rises also are picking up pace further downthe East Coast, according to some reports. Developersin Miami are breaking ground on new towers for con-dominiums as foreign investors seek new pre-con-struction units, according to an October 2013 article inENR. Despite the fact that Florida was among thehandful of states that suffered from the brunt of therecent construction downturn, brokerage firm CondoVultures told ENR that an estimated 22,000 condounits are being developed in South Florida, more thanhalf of that in downtown Miami.

Yet Michael Downs, president of glazing contrac-tor Downs Glass Co. Inc. in Sarasota, Fla., saysmost of the condo work his glaziers are seeing inthat area has to do with renovation work.

“We have seen an influx of activity in the high-rise market, with the existing buildings needing newwindows, having held off during the recessionbecause unit owners could not afford an assess-ment. The new high-rise market here is still holdingtight,” Downs says.

Marks points out that it’s hardly surprising con-dos are back in demand. “One of the shifts ourmarkets have been experiencing is that the youngerprofessionals, the Millennials, want to live in urbanenvironments, not the suburbs,” he says. “This isparticularly true in San Francisco where high payingjobs are being created in the tech sector and theyoung tech workers can afford the new housingbeing developed in downtown San Francisco.”

Hopefully this is a trend that more glazing con-tractors will be able to take advantage of in theyear ahead.

The New GLASS CONDO

continued from page 11

The Las Olas BeachClub andCondominiums in Ft.Lauderdale, Fla.,feature two-hourglass and framingwith 90 minute pairdoors that meetsASTM E-119 andTAS 201/202/203for hurricaneperformance.

Photo: Safti First


Evolving AestheticWhile designers are beginning to better appre-

ciate the performance value of today’s glass,condo owners still first want an aesthetic thatspeaks to them.

“While performance requirements continue togradually escalate, particularly with respect to ther-mal and acoustical behavior, aesthetic considera-tions remain the predominant driver. The trendtoward greater geometric complexity in the buildingskin is sometimes accompanied by an increased useof opaque materials that more easily accommodatecurvilinear form,” Patterson says.

Marks sees increased complexity as well, pri-marily in developers’ demand for a smooth,fully integrated façade. “Although we see proj-ects with typical design elements, architecturaldesign aesthetics continue to vary and challengeour curtainwall designers,” he says.

Cornellier also sees the look of today’s condosevolving. “Condos in the current market have gonewith the glass and metal panel design for a moremodern look. The glass industry definitely benefitsfrom the current design,” he says.

Marks adds,“We … see that the higher-end proj-

ects tend to prefer the design flexibility and superiorperformance of curtainwalls versus window walls.”

There is also a trend toward interior glazing.Diane Turnwall, market segment director, interi-ors, for Guardian Glass in Auburn Hills, Mich.,says, “We’re finding our customers are usingmore interior glass in condominiums for severalreasons: one is the trend for a modern aesthetic,another is glass helps make small spaces seem big-ger and the third is increased daylighting through-out the residence,” she says.

Diana San Diego, director of marketing for SaftiFirst adds, “Designers choose to put as much glassin the building envelope to maximize the amountof natural light that comes into the building. Byincorporating clear fire-rated glass in interior firewalls, fire barriers and exit enclosures/stairwells,natural light can penetrate further into the build-ing, and artificial lighting can be shared betweenspaces, all of which can contribute to reducingenergy consumption.” AGG

Megan Headley is the special projects editor forArchitects’ Guide to Glass & Metal magazine. She canbe reached at [email protected].

“Improvementin the tall

building sectorcontinues,

largely focusedin select urbanmarkets…”–Mic Patterson,

Enclos

“the construction manager as adviser andconstruction manager as constructor deliv-ery models are beneficial for sustainableprojects,” says Ken Cobleigh, managingdirector and counsel at the AmericanInstitute of Architects (AIA). “The construc-tion manager’s involvement in the earlystages of the project results in collaborationbetween the owner, the architect and theconstruction manager in the developmentof the owner’s sustainable objective, and inthe development of the measures they willtake toward achieving that objective.”

With this in mind, the AIA hasreleased seven new Sustainable Projects(SP) contract documents. The releaseincludes SP versions of AIA’s two familiesof Construction Management docu-ments, Construction Manager as Adviser(CMa) and Construction Manager asConstructor (CMc), as well asB103™–2007 SP, Standard Form ofAgreement Between Owner andArchitect for a Large or ComplexSustainable Project. B103–2007 SP is anagreement between the owner and archi-tect that is specifically developed for useon large or complex sustainable projects.It is written for use in the design-bid-build delivery model, but can be modi-fied for use on CMc projects.

The seven new doc-uments include:

ConstructionManager as AdviserFamily• A132™–2009

SP, StandardForm ofAgreementBetween Ownerand Contractor,for use on aSustainableProject,ConstructionManager asAdviser Edition,

A132™ SP Exhibit A, Determinationof the Cost of the Work;• A232™–2009 SP, General Conditions of

the Contract for Construction, for use ona Sustainable Project, ConstructionManager as Adviser Edition;

• B132™–2009 SP, Standard Form ofAgreement Between Owner and Architect, foruse on a sustainable project, ConstructionManager as Adviser Edition;

• C132™–2009 SP, Standard Form ofAgreement Between Owner andConstruction Manager as Adviser, for useon a sustainable project.Construction Manager as Constructor

Family• A133™–2009 SP, Standard Form of

Agreement Between Owner andConstruction Manager as Constructor, foruse on a sustainable project where thebasis of payment is the Cost of theWork Plus a Fee with a GuaranteedMaximum Price,A133™ SP Exhibit A, Guaranteed

Maximum Price Amendment;A134™–2009 SP, Standard Form of

Agreement Between Owner and ConstructionManager as Constructor, for use on a sustain-able project where the basis of payment isthe Cost of the Work Plus a Fee without aGuaranteed Maximum Price; and

B103™–2007 SP, Standard Form ofAgreement BetweenOwner and Architect for aLarge or Complex

Sustainable Project.The new

Sustainable Projectdocuments arecurrently availablethrough the cur-

rent version of AIAContract Documentssoftware, and indi-vidually throughAIA Documents-on-Demand®. → www.aia.org AGG

E d u c a t i o n a n d R e s o u r c e s


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AIA Paves the Way for Sustainable Projects

E v e n t O u t l o o k

June 9-11, 2014NeoCon 2014Organized by Merchandise Mart PropertiesMerchandise MartChicagoContact: www.neocon.com

June 26-28, 2014AIA National ConventionOrganized by AIAMcCormick PlaceChicagoContact: www.aia.org

July 7-9, 2014GlassCon GlobalOrganized by FCA InternationalPennsylvania Convention CenterPhiladelphiaContact: www.glassconglobal.com

September 9-11, 2014GlassBuild AmericaSponsored by AAMA, BEMA, GANA, IGMA and NGALas Vegas Convention CenterLas VegasContact: www.glassbuild.org

October 7-9, 20142014 International WindowFilm Conference and Tint-Off

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Sponsored by WINDOW FILM magazineBaltimore Marriott Camden Yards and BaltimoreMarriott Inner Harbor at Camden YardsBaltimoreContact: www.windowfilmmag.com/wfct

October 22-24, 2014Greenbuild ExpoOrganized by the U.S. Green Building Council New Orleans Convention CenterNew OrleansContact: www.greenbuildexpo.org

INTERNATIONAL EVENTSApril 12, 2014Glass Performance Days (GPD) China 2014Organized by GlastonVenue TBAShanghai, ChinaContact: www.gpd.fi

October 21-24, 2014glasstec 2014Organized by Messe DusseldorfDusseldorf FairgroundsDusseldorf, GermanyContact: www.glasstec-online.com AGG

Email informationabout upcomingevents [email protected]

Heifer International - Little Rock, AROwner: Heifer InternationalArchitect: Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects, LTD.Contractors: Ace Glass Co., Harness Roo� ngColor: Silver MetallicPro� les: 7/8” Corrugated, M-Panels, CopingPhoto: Timothy Hursley

The world headquarters of Heifer International has received a Platinum LEED® certi� cation plus numerous design and environmental awards.

A key element of the building’s skin involves the use of Petersen corrugated aluminum panels installed as an accent band in a horizontal con� guration. Approximately 22,000 sq. ft. of .050 aluminum PAC-CLAD Silver Metallic 7/8” corrugated panels were utilized.

Produced in factory formed lengths up to 55 feet, Petersen’s PAC-CLAD Panels are also available in longer lengths by consulting the factory. Our PAC-CLAD® Kynar 500® � nish, covered by a non-prorated 20 year warranty, is now available in 38 colors on steel and aluminum. Most colors meet LEED®, ENERGY STAR® and cool roof certi� cation requirements.

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when it comes to fire-rated glazing, architectsoften have questions about where, when and whyit should be used. Stay in tune with all the latesthappenings in the fire-rated glazing industry andconsider checking out these courses.

Course Title: Designing with Fire Rated GlassProvider: SAFTI FirstLearning Units: 1 AIA LU / 1 HSW Credit

According to providers, this program empow-ers architects to choose the correct, code-compli-ant glazing product for every fire-rated applica-tion. The course provides information on thefollowing:• Distinguishing between fire-protective and fireresistive glass and glazing systems;

• Interpreting IBC code and fire test requirements;• Recognizing fire rating listing limitations; and• Determining the best product value for yourbudget.

→ www.safti.com/webinar

Course Title: Form, Function & Fire Safety: A Clearer View of Fire-Rated Glass and FramingProvider: Technical Glass ProductsLearning Units: 1 AIA LU / 1 HSW Credit

Discussions cover active verses passive fire-pro-tection systems, as well as fire-rated glazing systemtesting.

According to the provider, those taking part inthis course will:• Learn what questions to ask to ensure that theproper product is specified and installed;

• Gain a better understanding of the differentcategories of fire-rated glazing materials, andtheir role in fire protection;

• Receive current information on how the latestcodes and product developments impact design;

• Explore new trends in fire-rated glazing andinnovative design options; and

• Learn ways to incorporate fire-rated glazing sys-tems into an overall sustainable design.

→ www.fireglass.com AGG

C o n t i n u i n g E d u c a t i o n C o r n e r


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© FCA Conferences LLC 2014

GlassCon Global is the fi rst event of its kind in North America. It brings together global innovations in glass technology from Europe and North America to further the development of the glass industry.

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