Vision Magazine
Any contact with Viridian to specify the right
glass for this?
We have to be very compliant with energy ratings
and we work closely with our engineers and
Viridian offers excellent technical resources. We
call them up whenever we have the need. Glass
specification is at least as important, if not more
so, than wall specification.
The better practices really know what
constitutes their buildings, yet many don’t
know what materials have finally ended up in
use. Lesser practices appear to treat glass as a
generic material that forms a transparent glaze
on a wall and that’s about it. What’s more they
specify one thing and are surprised to learn that
a different glass has been used from what was
ordered. Does that surprise you?
You’re absolutely correct. Our builder wanted to
change the glass on this project and we said ‘no
way’ because we had worked out all of the energy
ratings and we know how well Viridian’s product
works. We didn’t want to go back and repeat the
exercise for another product.
Glass has its own performance characteristics,
but these are in some ways invisible and easy to
disguise or change and often the inexperienced
eye will be none the wiser.
That’s true but there is such a big difference now
that we tint glass for performance. It makes a big
difference to the building’s appearance if you
have blue, grey or green tint to say nothing of
not getting the right performance glass installed.
Overlaying that are opportunities with colorback,
fritting, seraphic for such beautiful effects.
What do you hope the project says of the campus
and to students?
That this is a great place to meet my buddies. It’s
being used as a function centre and it’s been very
well received.
Above
Black Beauty. Charcoal finish and green
tinted glazing contribute to gateway
building’s elegant understatement.
High Distinction