Now that the fierce, winter weather is finally (knock on wood) behind us, it’s time to think warm, spring thoughts: sunny days, pleasant temps, open windows. Personally, I like to think about spring as the perfect time for new beginnings and learning opportunities … let’s call it your “spring resolutions.” Some northeastern architects resolved to learn more about glass when they attended Architects’ Forum™ 2015 April 23 in Hauppauge (Long Island), N.Y.

What’s unique about this program is that it is concentrated specifically on glass education for architects. Sessions covered design and fabrication trends, energy performance, fire-rated glass and more.

Sessions included:

• The Future of High Performing Fenestration: Understanding Thermal Break and High Performing Insulating Glass for the Fenestration Industry; speakers: Bill Blazek, sales engineer, Technoform Bautec and Laura Woods, product manager, for Technoform Glass Insulation; Presented by Technoform Group – Diamond Level Sponsor
• Principles of Glass Selection for Façades: From Rendering to Reality; speaker: Leigh Anne Mays, commercial sales manager in the Northeast, for Guardian Industries; Presented by Guardian Industries – Platinum Level Sponsor
• Glass Fabrication and Design Issues; speaker: Mike Nicklas, business development manager, for J.E. Berkowitz L.P.; Presented by J.E. Berkowitz L.P. – Gold Level Sponsor
• Selecting Insulating Glass Sealants for Durability and Energy Efficiency; speaker: David Devenish of Fenzi North America; Presented by Fenzi North America – Gold Level Sponsor
• Form, Function & Fire Safety: A Clearer View of Fire-Rated Glass and Framing
  Speaker: James Wharton, territory account manager – Northeast, for Technical Glass Products; Presented by Technical Glass Products – Silver Level Sponsor

If you missed Architects’ Forum 2015 you can see a recap here.

I can’t give enough thanks to all of our sponsoring presenters who took part in this event; we could not have done it without them and are grateful for their time, energy and devotion to helping educate the architectural community. Because that’s the goal of this event: to provide education and information about glass and how this material can do amazing things for buildings, walls, interiors and more. As an industry, we are all focused on growing and enhancing the use of glass; programs such as Architects’ Forum will continue to help with just that.

If you have suggestions for a topic you’d like to see covered at a future Architects’ Forum or if you’re interested in sponsoring a session, please email to share your ideas.

Thanks again to everyone who attended and took part in making this year’s event a huge success!