The Natural Benefits of Biophilic D...
Friday, April 27, 2018
Thursday, May 28, 2015
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In Sustainability, Design
Glass has been incorporated into buildings from around the 11th century when glass blowers would create large spheres of glass and flatten pieces of these spheres into a glass panel. This was known as the Crown Glass Process and was used up to the mid 1800s. Today we are able to use glass in buildings in a variety of ways to harvest natural light while keeping out the glare and heat of the sun. "Fritting" allows us to put different designs on the glass to create some unique results. Film can also be applied to interior glass to create distinctive designs.
The renovated United Glass and Panel Systems building is a prime example of using a frit pattern to limit the amount of light that enters the building while creating a unique look in the glass. The frit keeps the sun from overheating the building and reduces glare for the office occupants.
The Bridgestone Technical Center project also used a frit pattern to spell out "Bridgestone" on the glass bridge across Main Street in Akron, Ohio. The frit is a series of 1/8" diameter dots which keep 60% of the light out of the bridge. This keeps the temperature in the comfortable range without needing to air condition the bridge.
Window film is a very inexpensive way to create privacy, enhance security and develop a branded image. Film was used in SōL Harris/Day's office on a glass conference wall. A large sun was part of the film, which provides branding and an appropriate level of screening, all while letting light through.
There are many options and ways to use glass within a building to improve energy performance and comfort while at the same time creating a branding opportunity.
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