Innovations in the architectural glass and metal industry were on display in Boston

Photovoltaic Technology Set to Become
More Economical for Building Facades
Malibu, a joint venture of Schuco International KG and German energy company E.ON, is building a $135-million production facility in Magdeburg, Germany, to manufacture large-scale photovoltaic modules based on state-ofthe-art thin film technology.

Starting in fall 2008, the plant is to begin producing photovoltaic modules measuring 5.7 square meters (more than 61 square feet), in formats of up to 2.20 x 2.60 square meters, with an output of up to 460 watts. The annual output of these systems amounts to 40 megawatts.

According to the companies, because of the size of these modules—the largest ever built—photovoltaic technology will become a particularly attractive alternative for the facades of large corporate and government office buildings.

Generated without negative impact on the environment, electricity produced in this way for cooling, ventilation, shade and heating is also extremely economical. Furthermore, the new modules can be integrated into the glass elements of the facade, opening up entirely new possibilities for architects.

Kawneer Updates
LEED Planning Tool
Kawneer Co. Inc., a manufacturer of architectural aluminum building products and systems for commercial construction, has released the latest version of its LEED Planning Tool. Designed for use with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, the tool provides the most current and accurate information, more precise product recommendations, and is aligned more closely with LEED for New Construction Version 2.2, making it easier for architects to navigate the complex certification process.

As the requirements for LEED certification become more defined and stringent, it is critical that architects have the most up-to-date information as they go through the design and development stage. Designed as a working instrument, the LEED Planning Tool guides users to specific Kawneer products and solutions that can help in achieving LEED certification goals.

Kawneer is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the industry group that developed LEED. The updated LEED Planning Tool can be downloaded at Kawneer.com.

Viracon Puts Its
Projects on the Map
Viracon, the Owatonna, Minn.-based architectural glass fabricator, is putting its projects on the map–literally. The company has launched Viracon Glass via Google Maps, a new website feature that enables site visitors to locate and learn about the company’s projects in cities across the country.

“With different coatings, glass substrate colors, and assembled configurations, Viracon offers architects thousands of different glass solutions. To help select the right performance and aesthetic for their projects, architects often like to see examples of completed projects,” says Christine Shaffer, the company’s marketing manager. “Our new map feature helps people find projects by city with the click of a button.

“We currently have 17 cities included in our Google Map feature, with an average of 20 projects listed for each city, and we’re adding more cities and more projects all the time,” adds Shaffer. The site is: www.viracon.com.

Walker Glass, PPG
Form Marketing Alliance
PPG Industries and Walker Glass Co. Ltd. of Montreal have entered into an alliance to jointly market the Walker Textures line of acid-etched glass and mirrors with PPG’s Starphire ultra-clear glass.

The alliance between Walker Glass and PPG is designed to take advantage of the enhancements Starphire glass and Walker Textures glass offer each other. It will enable the companies to leverage each other’s marketing efforts to the U.S. and Canadian design communities.

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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