PPG Industries announced that the Center for Sustainable Landscapes being constructed on the campus of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh will include its Sungate 500 Starphire glass and Solarban 60 Starphire glass. According to the announcement, the two glasses were selected for characteristics that will help the center become one of the world’s first certified “living” buildings.

Richard Piancentini, Phipps executive director, says the center is designed to meet or exceed the stringent standards of the Living Building Challenge, an advocacy and certification program that encourages architects, designers, specifiers and building owners to achieve the highest possible standards of sustainable design. He said glass selection was critical to helping the center meet rigorous standards for energy use and human health and comfort.

“PPG glass was specified for the project because we wanted a low-E, high-performing glass that provides state-of-the-art solar and thermal control and energy efficiency, while admitting maximum daylight,” says Piancentini.

Chris Minnerly, AIA, LEED AP, principal of The Design Alliance Architects, who specified the glass, adds, “One of the key aspects of glass selection is to balance the solar heat gain coefficient against the visible light transmittance to get the best overall performance. The glass assemblies have to have the best UV transmission in certain light spectrums to facilitate the growth of plants.”

Minnerly specified two triple-pane insulating glass units to meet performance requirements in different parts of the building. Sungate 500 Starphire glass will be installed above the sunshade and light shelves, while Solarban 60 Starphire glass will be used below.