The Seminar II Building is a new academic structure located on the Olympia, Washington campus of The Evergreen State College. Upon design and construction, school officials wanted the creation to be flexible and sustainable - incorporating daylighting and natural ventilation while preserving the natural setting.
To meet those design specifications, the Pacific Northwest-based architecture firm, Mahlum Architects, suggested floor to ceiling glass, without intermediate horizontal or vertical spans breaking up the channels. This expansive system would take advantage of borrowed daylight, thus reducing the need for artificial lighting while embracing the natural surrounding.
After thorough research, it was determined that Pilkington Profilit™ was the "natural" fit for a project of this magnitude. The building was designed as five different learning pavilions or clusters, which are connected horizontally by walkways and vertically by interior and exterior stairwells. Each of the interior stairwells features an installation of Pilkington Profilit, with the largest façade facing west for maximum sun exposure.
Pilkington Profilit is an exciting alternative to glass block and other translucent materials for commercial and residential applications. This glazing system consists of unique, self-supporting glass channels and an extruded metal perimeter frame. The end result is a wall, façade or partition that obscures vision but allows light to pass through - and one of the only systems that allow floor to ceiling glass with no intermediate spans.
Pilkington Profilit can be used in interior or exterior applications, each with an overall span of up to 23 feet. The channels can be installed either vertically or horizontally, and the "U-shaped" cast glass channels are installed without needing any vertical or horizontal supports except the framing. Additionally, the perimeter frame and sills can easily be shaped to form a wall with virtually any number of curves.
"We used the product in conjunction with a standard awning window system to provide contrast of the two glass products," explained Benjamin Doty of Mahlum Architects. "Although limited heating is required in the stairwells, Pilkington Profilit worked well with the window system to attain the desired R-value."
In fact, the Seminar II Building was so well acknowledged it recently received an Award of Merit from the AIA Seattle 2005 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture. The award jury, made up of AIA architects, honored Mahlum Architects and the Seminar II Building project for successfully realizing the ideals of a learning community with a commitment to environmental studies. The rich combination of spaces reinforces the sharing of experiences of the environment, creating a true climate for learning. Additionally, Seminar II won the 2005 COTE Green Project Award from the AIA Committee on the Environment. It is one of only eight buildings in the nation recognized for 'green design' solutions that protect and enhance the environment through integration of architecture and technology.
"We had never used Pilkington Profilit before, so this was a product test drive," added Doty. "We are very pleased with the results, and would certainly use the product again."
Pilkington Profilit is available in a variety of colors and textures with varying translucency, allowing for the passage of natural light without the loss of privacy. As one of the most cost-efficient glass cladding systems available, Pilkington Profilit cuts the need for artificial lighting and provides excellent sound reduction (up to 42db).
When additional thermal and acoustical insulation is desired or required in order to meet Building Codes, Pilkington Profilit is now available with Nanogel® translucent panels. The lightweight Nanogel panels made by Cabot Corporation offer excellent light transmission while enhancing the Profilit system performance. The nonporous hydrophobic Nanogel material is also moisture and mildew resistant. Pilkington Profilit with Nanogel provides a wide-range of benefits for building applications.
"Pilkington Profilit enables architects a unique design alternative to create walls, façades or partitions that are opaque but also transmit light," says Jerry Razwick, president of Technical Glass Products. "In addition, Pilkington Profilit with Nanogel aerogel offers the added benefit of thermal and acoustic insulation. These are just another exciting example of innovative products we're committed to bringing to the market."
For more information on Pilkington Profilit and any of our products, visit our website at www.tgpamerica.com.
