This year’s Architects’ Educational Forum is set to take place March 17 as part of Glass Expo Midwest, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. This free event is exclusive to architects and will offer a seminar program of AIA-accredited presentations that focus on a number of pertinent industry topics.

Organized by the Architects’ Guide to Glass & Metal magazine, the following sessions are scheduled to be presented during this year’s event:

Coated Glass – Presented by the Glass Association of North America

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

This course includes a study of the manufacturing process for coatings on glass, the performance values and a case study on cost savings.

Learning Objectives: Participants will learn why glass is coated; glass surface terminology; coatings for optical and solar performance; understand solar and thermal performance; common terminology; cost savings using coated glass; surface modifying coatings; coating processes; sputtering; pyrolytic; and a review other uses of coated glass.

Sustainable Glazing Systems and the LEED® Green Building Rating System – Presented by YKK AP

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This seminar will review the environmental benefits of curtainwall and storefront design and how proper selection and applications of these systems can enhance green building performance. Using the 2009 LEED Green Building Rating System Version 3.0 as a template, the presentation will explain how fenestration design can contribute to enhanced energy performance, on-site renewable energy, recycled content, thermal comfort, daylighting and views to the outdoors.

Learning Objectives: Select the proper glazing system based on performance criteria. Integrate sunshades and light shelves into fenestration designs. Employ proper daylighting and views to the outdoors strategies. Calculate recycled content of curtainwall and storefront.

How Structural Silicone Spacers Contribute to Sustainable Window Design – Presented by Edgetech I.G.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The program focuses on utilizing the latest silicone technologies for commercial facades. The primary focus is on achieving optimal/green building design though improving energy efficiency, long term durability and waste reduction.

Learning Objectives: This program will shed light on insulating glass history with a focus on silicone foam spacers and their significance to energy efficiency and sustainability design in glazing. At the end of the program participants will be able to identify at least three characteristics of flexible foam spacers that promote durable/ sustainable glazing design.

In addition to the presentations, registered architects also receive free admission into the Glass Expo Midwest tradeshow, as well as other networking opportunities including coffee breaks and lunch.

CLICK HERE for additional event information.

CLICK HERE to register.