Glasstec 2008 to Focus on
Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal Energy
Solar energy will be a major topic at glasstec 2008, the international trade fair that will be held October 21–25 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

In addition to the traditional exhibitor segments such as laser technology, functional coatings, technical glass, bent glass and special glass, this year’s glasstec will be devoted to the themes of photovoltaics and solar thermal energy. The number of exhibitors from these sectors already has doubled compared to the 2006 event. Among the companies set to exhibit are Centrosolar, Solarwatt, Scheuten Solar and Schott Solar. Exhibitors from the mechanical engineering sector include Grenzebach, Reis Robotics, Lenhardt and Bystronic.

The theme of solar energy will also be covered in a seminar program which will be held in conjunction with the fair. For the first time, two of the five conference days will exclusively deal with photovoltaics and solar thermal energy. The themes discussed will include solar glass, solar modules and methods of building integration.

Viracon Launches
Sustainable Design Tools
The architectural glass fabricator Viracon has added a newly enhanced Green Building Design area on its website, designed to make it easier for architects to meet sustainability goals with glass. The site offers new tools, including a climate zone map and chart, to help architects and designers select the right glass for their green building goals.

“With interest in LEED certification on the rise across the country, we work closely with architects and designers to find glass solutions that will meet sustainability goals,” says Don McCann, architectural design manager. “To select the right product, our customers must consider several building factors, including climate zone, building orientation, glass performance values, structure size, aesthetics, glare and total energy consumption. We created the new tools on our website to help architects weigh these criteria and select the glass coating and substrate that will best meet their goals.”

Using the map, visitors can select their climate zone and then use the chart to learn which of Viracon’s coating and substrate combinations can assist in meeting green building goals for their region.

The newly enhanced site section also includes detailed information about LEED requirements and how glass selection can help in four of the six major LEED categories.

Curtainwall Design
Approved for Bronx Project
Fenestration system manufacturer YKK AP has been selected to provide the curtainwall exterior for the new 14-story Boricua College in The Bronx, New York.

The 120,000-square-foot tower, designed by Hugo S. Subotovsky, will be the centerpiece of Boricua Village, a 4.5-acre community revitalization project that is a cornerstone of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s South Bronx initiative. The mixed-use village also will add 50,000 square feet of retail space and 689 residential units to a depressed area in the vicinity of Yankee Stadium.

The design for the college building calls for a blue-tinted glass exterior. The building envelope is almost entirely curtainwall from the fourth floor up and includes a rounded corner. The supplier had to modify products to facilitate installation due to structural obstacles built into the building design.

A split vertical mullion, screw-spline system was designed specifically for the job that allows frames to be pre-assembled and installed from the interior.

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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