The inaugural Architects’ Educational Program, a new day-long event sponsored by Architects’ Guide to Glass & Metal, was held late last year in Grand Rapids, Mich. The event drew 33 architects from the area. Attendees had the chance to earn four AIA learning units (LUs) through presentations by sponsors Arch Aluminum & Glass, AZON USA Inc. and Guardian Industries Corp., as well as the Glass Association of North America (GANA).

A Frame Up
The morning session started with a presentation by Arch’s Tony Kamber about the various types of framing systems. A member of the Architects’ Guide to Glass & Metal Editorial Board, Kamber explored design possibilities and limitations with attendees.

He was followed by Guardian’s Brian Craft, who spoke about new glass technologies, specifically glass coatings. The session had sparked a lot of interest from the architects, and several came in specifically for that session and the one that followed after lunch on warm-edge technology and improving thermal performance in structural windows.

That session was given by AZON’s Jerry Schwabauer.

Craft explained that glass producers have responded to the need for more energy efficient products by developing different types of products. This encompasses pyrolitic and sputter coatings and clear and tinted insulating glass units.

Schwabauer focused on the two effective ways to improve thermal performance in structural windows: thermal barrier systems (the frame) and warm-edge spacer technology (the glass).

The final presentation of the day was the GANA AIA-accredited course on glass in today’s architecture. Debra Levy, publisher of the Architects’ Guide to Glass & Metal, gave the presentation.

Following the education program, attendees were invited to attend Glass Expo Midwest ‘07, which also was being held at the DeVos Place convention center.

Both attendees and the presenters expressed satisfaction with the program. Kamber, who does a number of education sessions for architects throughout the year for Arch, commented that attendees were very interactive, asking questions, and that the breaks and luncheon helped provide additional time for this. “Some people are less likely to ask questions during the session, but will come up and talk to you during the breaks,” he said.

Craft and Schwabauer agreed that attendees had been very attentive and asked thoughtful questions.

At the end of the program, a number of attendees came forward to thank the sponsors and say that the program had been the most informative they had ever attended and they had received much valuable information.

“Thank you for putting on such a wonderful and informative program. The information presented was fantastic,” said architect Eric Doyle, LEED AP, of Workstage LLC in Grand Rapids.

Plans currently are being finalized for the program of day-long architects’ seminars around the country this year. The current schedule is at the right. Information on attending a session is available by e-mailing ccumpston@glass.com. 

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
© 2008 Copyright Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved. 
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.