Betting on Glass
August 6th, 2020 | Category: Architects' Guide to Glass and MetalGlass and Metal Companies Bring the Latest Products to AIA
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference on Architecture 2019 will feature products from across all disciplines of building and design. Glass and metal companies are hoping to stand out this year as the event heads to Las Vegas. From frameless shower enclosures to colorful metal panels, the glass industry is pushing the limits of aesthetics and performance with the latest innovations. Architects can visit these companies and many more on the expo floor from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7.
Glass
Booth #8309 — Seeing the Light
AGC Glass North America’s Solarshield Majestic Grey is a light grey tinted float glass with high light transmittance. AGC developed it in response to continued architectural demand for a light grey, neutral and tinted glass with a high visible light transmittance. Majestic Grey offers a visible light transmittance of 65%. It is available as a monolithic lite for use in laminated, tempered, heat-strengthened and bent configurations, or as part of an insulating glass unit. It also can be coated with an AGC Energy Select low-E coating. Majestic Grey can be specified in ¼-inch (6mm) and 5/16-inch (8mm) thicknesses.
Booth #6907 — Going to the Birds
For designers seeking high performance, aesthetically pleasing glass products that also help preserve the planet, Guardian Glass will feature its soon-to-be-available Guardian Bird1st UV coated glass. Bird1st UV coated glass can be combined with Guardian SunGuard coated glass products to provide a neutral appearance and the desired performance, along with bird safety for new construction or retrofits. The product works with laminated glass to break up the reflectivity, making the UV vertical stripes visible to birds, but subtle to the human eye.
Guardian will also feature a unique application of its Vacuum IG units and the company’s full roster of high performance SunGuard coated glass products and services, and InGlass interior coated glass products.
Also during the conference, Jacob Kasbrick, Guardian Glass’ regional architectural manager for the western area of the U.S. and Canada, will present the continuing education course, “Making Glass Come to Life – The Principles of Glass Selection,” Thursday, June 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. in CE Theater B, Booth #8545.
Education
Booth #9340 — Bird-Friendly Advocacy
Vitro Architectural Glass’ exhibit space will be devoted to the promotion of American Bird Conservancy’s (ABC) bird collision awareness. The company will distribute ABC’s “bird friendly building design” guide to architects, helping them use glass to create a better environment for birds.
According to Robert Struble, brand and communications manager at Vitro, the company’s interest in bird-friendly design is three-fold. The company’s research and development facility is adjacent to Springdale, Pa., the birthplace of conservationist Rachel Carson. Vitro’s Technical Services department (PPG at the time) participated in an ABC study at the Powdermill Nature Reserve several years ago, just as the concept of bird glass was emerging. The company also has been a long-standing partner with Walker and its Avi-Protek product.
“… Our interest is to help architects create buildings in harmony with nature … The connection to nature and the surrounding environment is what makes glass such a unique and useful building material. In my view, it’s why we’re here,” says Struble.
Fire-rated Glass
Booth #7413 — A Clear 45 Minutes
USA-made SuperClear 45-HS-LI from Safti First is a clear, cost-effective, 45-minute glazing product that meets all fire, hose stream and impact safety requirements for 45-minute doors, sidelites, transoms and openings. It is available in large sizes and can be used in interior and exterior applications including energy-efficient make-ups. SuperClear 45-HS-LI is UL and Intertek listed.
Blinds
Booth #4507 — Between the Glass
Intigral will showcase custom manufactured blinds housed between the glass. The company offers custom blinds between the glass for residential windows and commercial applications. The products range from tilt-only venetian blinds to fully motorized roller shades. ScreenLine offers three integrated blind models, featuring venetian, pleated and roller blinds in six blind control systems and 48 color combinations.
Thermal Barriers
Booth #5238 — The Thermal Option
Azon will display an optimized performance window featuring the Azo-Core, a high-density foam thermal barrier by Azon. The thermal barrier material has low conductivity, and paired with an expanded polyurethane core, it allows commercial glazing to meet stringent global energy standards, according to the company. Azo-Core can achieve a U-value of 0.25 in windows with insu-lating glass comprised of two low-E coatings, and even lower with triple glazing, through simulated testing.
Glass Railings
Booth #3925 — Taking Flight
Viewrail Flight is a complete floating stair system comprised of steel stringer for strength and support, thick wood treads for a modern look and a glass railing that makes the stairway appear to float in space. According to the company, the stairs can be built in any configuration, including straight runs, 90-degree turns and switch-backs. Wood treads are available in thicknesses up to 4 inches, in more than 20 species and with a selection of stain options. Glass railing options include standoff pins, talon spigots and surface or side mount posts.
Education
Booth #4525LL — A Teachable Moment
During the 2019 AIA Conference on Architecture, Kawneer will focus on education, holding expo education sessions in its learning lounge, located in Booth #4525LL. The sessions, “Designing Innovative Façades for Healthcare” and “Designing High Performance Office/Multifamily Façades Using Innovative Modular Solutions,” will be held through-out the day Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7. These sessions will offer audiences market-specific solutions to varying design challenges.
Skylights
Booth #6016 — Presenting: Auburn in E+ Major
Major Industries will be highlighting its new Auburn E+ glass skylight system at the 2019 AIA Conference on Architecture. Auburn E+ is the next step in the company’s existing skylight line, and features a number of performance improvements, including a new thermal cap, a modern flush-glazed design, available low-E glass and insulating flashing. Major has improved its products by integrating new technology that it says helps isolate the outside environment from a building’s occupants. The new system is tested to ASTM E283/330/331 standards, and features high-performance glass options, multiple finish options and numerous design configurations to provide architects choices for design freedom.
Shower Enclosures
Booth #6329 — Envisioning a Clear Space
C.R. Laurence will exhibit its Clear Space Elliptical frameless shower door concept. Visitors to Booth #6329 will get a chance to see in person how this new type of shower door utilizes a top door guide that folds the door as it opens in like an accordion and swings inward to maximize usable floor space. Clear Space has a 1¼-inch tall top door guide that automatically folds away from the opening and stacks parallel to the sidewall to produce a completely unobstructed entryway.
Clear Space also has the ability to reduce door outswing projection, which gives architects and designers greater flexibility when laying out other bathroom elements. Two elliptical doors can be specified to create a shower entrance up to 72 inches wide to improve accessibility.
Architectural Metals
Booth #4845 — On the Map (eSpan)
Mapes Industries will display its MapeSpan architectural panels, the company’s solution for storefront and curtainwall applications, at the AIA expo. The single-source panels feature spandrel glass with ceramic frit on the number two surface as the exterior component. Coupled with an insulating core and a customizable interior, MapeSpan panels can be used to maintain the aesthetics of a glass exterior with higher R-values and a lower total cost than insulating glass units that are often used in similar applications.
Booth #6416 — Metal in All Colors
Petersen Aluminum is highlighting three of its products at the show, including its Precision Series Highline S1 architectural wall panels, which the company says provide design flexibility by combining bold visual effects with easy, cost-effective installation. The Highline S1 profile is 1-3/8 inches deep, and can be paired with six other profiles in the Highline Series.
Petersen will also show its Snap-Clad panels that are leveled to provide flatness. These panels feature an optional factory-applied sealant bead for improved weather resistance. They are manufactured in a labor-saving, one-piece design, according to the company.
Lastly, architects at AIA can expect to see the Precision Series Tiles collection, which includes four metal tile profiles that offer an alternative to roll-formed panel-style cladding. The stamped tiles can be applied to roof or wall installations, and are offered in four styles, including flat, cupped, diamond and TS.
Decorative Glass
Booth #7908 — Maximizing Light
Sensitile Systems, manufacturer of architectural and design products, will showcase products that are designed to emit, transpose, reflect and refract light. The company is also dedicated to sustainable practices and recently received EPD and HPD certifications for all of its materials. Sensitile products utilize glass, resin and terrazzo substrates. Its laminated glass products are fire-rated and qualify as a safety glazing product.
Bird-friendly Glass
Booth #7710 — Saving Lives
Walker will showcase its line of bird-friendly products and its entire product line of acid-etched glass and mirror products that are EPD certified. Walker will display expanded line of AviProtek bird-friendly glass solutions. City and municipal ordinances throughout North America are mandating products such as bird-friendly glass to mitigate the deaths of hundreds of millions of birds each year. Walker’s combination of visual markers on surface 1 with high performance low-E coatings from Vitro on surface 2 makes the AviProtek E suitable for saving both energy as well as bird’s lives, according to the company.
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