We can see clearly now as the glass panels are installed on the front of our expanded facility.
New high-efficiency glass donated by Vitro Architectural Glass and a $100,000 grant from The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation have made this important part of our expansion possible.
The new high-performance vacuum insulating glazing units, called VacuMax glass, provide thermal insulation comparable to a standard wall. This is a significant improvement to the thermal envelope and will be the first implementation of this newly designed product in the region. The VacuMax glass blocks thermal transmission, delivering thermal insulation performance that is 2–4 times better than conventional insulating glass and 14 times better than monolithic glass. It delivers energy savings and reduces carbon emissions by way of lower Btu usage.
“VacuMax vacuum insulating glass is just one of several innovative technologies we are working on at the Vitro Architectural Glass research and development facility in the Pittsburgh area. The company has invested heavily in developing new glass technologies that reduce energy consumption and commensurate environmental impacts of buildings,” said Vitro Vice President of Research and Development, Adam Polcyn. “At Vitro, we seek to reflect our region’s rich heritage in glass with a passion for art, architecture, and a commitment to sustainability,” he added.
“From the start, Pittsburgh Glass Center has been committed to reducing its energy consumption and doing all that we can to reduce our carbon footprint. This grant from the Frankenthaler Foundation and partnership with Vitro Architectural Glass allows us to truly make a difference for the environment inside and outside of our building. Immediately, staff and visitors will benefit from the warmth that this technology provides. This translates to no more shivering staff, space heaters, and wearing heavy coats inside of the building in the chilly winter months,” said Heather McElwee, the Randi and L. Van V. Dauler Jr. Executive Director.
Additionally, you will see colorful glass panels that are made from Starphire glass by Vitro which provides an unprecedented option for curtainwall glass applications, offering brilliant clarity and true-to-life views of the outdoors.
We chose Starphire glass because it provides amazing clarity that conventional clear glass simply can’t match, so true you won’t believe you’re looking through glass. Our new classroom space will enjoy amazing views through this new curtain wall of glass.
Architect Ryan Indovina picked five shades of warm colors to repeat down the skinny return of the sawtooth curtain wall. The effect will be somewhat of a “sunset” fade as you drive or walk down Penn Ave. We chose from thousands of colors offered by Vanceva. It allowed us to get just the right colors to match his rendering. The Starphire glass was laminated with colorful glass in between the layers so it will hold up on the outside of our building and all the elements for years to come.
Shattering Expectations is a transformational capital campaign that seeks your support to realize Pittsburgh Glass Center’s full potential as a hub for artistic excellence and a driver of economic opportunity through a major expansion of our facilities.
Scan the QR code, click the link image, or text “glass” to 51555 to learn more about what’s coming for Pittsburgh Glass Center and how you can be involved!
