All The Buzz
2009 AIA Convention to Focus on Current Market Themes and Trends

Energy efficiency. Performance. Sustainability. Renewable. Recyclable. LEED®. Solar. What do all of these words have in common? They could all be classified as some of the hottest buzzwords in architectural building and design—and all of these characteristics can be possible through the use of glass and glazing. With so much demand for these buzzwords it’s not surprising that related products and seminars will be a big focus of the 2009 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition, which will take place April 30-May 2 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The theme for this year’s event is “The Power of Diversity: Practice in a Complex World.” The convention will feature more than 500 programs including workshops, seminars, tours and expo education. Some of the seminar program highlights include: The Art and Science of Designing to Net-Zero; BIM: New Era for Design = New Era for Communications; and GSA: Greening Federal Facilities.

In addition, a special seminar focus, “Navigating the Economy: Strategies for Architects in an Economic Downturn,” will provide tactics to help architects manage their firm and career during lean economic times. This seminar track will address topics such as:
• Repositioning for large and small firms;
• Business planning, marketing and firm valuation;
• Job coaching, resume writing, interviewing and portfolio development;
• Human resource/legal aspects of downsizing and dissolution; and
• Life coaching to include stress and health management.

Attendees can also take advantage of the many educational tours. These include an audio tour of San Francisco architecture, a behind the scenes look at AT&T Park, a look at the city’s changing skyline as a result of new towers and high-rises and many others.

In addition to the workshops, tours and seminars, a trade show will feature an array of new products and services, and green building will be the theme for many companies, including glass and metal suppliers, exhibiting. New technologies will bring energy-efficiency, performance and even solar characteristics. 

AIA Schedule At a Glance

Thursday, April 30

6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.                Registration open
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.                Continuing education seminars
8:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.              General session
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.                AIA Expo 2009
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.            Educational tours
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.              Expo education
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.                Continuing education seminars
2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.                Educational tours
3:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.              Guest tours
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.                AIA honors and awards ceremony
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.                Continuing education seminars
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.                Continuing education seminars

Friday, May 1

6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.                Registration open
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.                Continuing education seminars
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.              Educational tours
8:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.              Continuing education seminars
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.                Guest tours
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.                AIA Expo 2009
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.            General session
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.              Expo education
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.                Continuing education seminars
2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.                Educational tours
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.                Continuing education seminars
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.                Continuing education seminars

Saturday, May 2

6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.                Registration open
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.                Continuing education seminars
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.              Educational tours
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.              Guest tours
8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.                Continuing education seminars
9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.                AIA Expo 2009
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.              Expo education
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.                Educational tours
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.                General session

San Francisco Showcase
Glass and Metal Exhibitors Offer Innovations in Line with Market Trends

Booth 5158: Going Ballistic
When the job calls for seriously strong glazing, Makrolon Hygard MS1250 from Sheffield Plastics Inc. is in compliance with UL752 Level 6 ballistic rating (high speed 9mm Uzi). The latest addition to Sheffield Plastics’ high-performance security and detention product line, the product includes four containment grade/forced-entry products tested to HP White TP0500.02 and ASTM F1233, plus four ballistic-rated laminates specified as UL752 Level 1, 2, 3 and 6.

In addition, Makrolon Hygard glazing sheets feature a hard-coated surface that provides protection against abrasion, UV degradation, chemical attack and graffiti, according to information from the company.
www.sheffieldplastics.com


Booth 6336: CRL “Locs” in to New Glass Railing System Features
Several new options have been added to Los Angeles-based C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.’s (CRL) dry glaze TAPER-LOC™ system for glass railings. 

Included in the offerings are new blades for the system’s TLK5 installation/removal tool. The blades have an extended reach for use in fascia mount or recessed base shoe conditions that are typically from 1- to 1 ½-inch below grade. 

Also new is the fast seal glazing gasket, which was designed for applications that lack easy access to the outside edge of the railing, such as a balcony. The gasket consists of a U-channel covered with vinyl and a bulb seal, and is easily applied to base shoe cladding to create a tight seal. 

According to information form the company, the TAPER-LOC system is unique because it does not use a horizontal taper lock design. It includes an installation/removal tool and the TAPER-LOC Taper Set for ½-inch or ¾-inch tempered glass applications. In addition, TAPER-LOC products have recently been added for laminated glass applications. www.crlaurence.com 

Booth 653: Point to Point
Decorative glass and point-supported glass can be used to create eye-catching architectural applications. JE Berkowitz LP (JEB) of Pedricktown, N.J., will feature both in its booth. 

SentryGlas® Expressions™, a decorative, laminated safety glass, is the company’s newest product. The technology uses a proprietary process developed by DuPont that prints directly onto the PVB interlayer. This enables photo imagery, textures, patterns, company logos and more to be incorporated into a wide range of architectural laminated glass applications such as entry doors, glass interiors, overhead glazing, balustrades, advertising and signage. The product meets all ANSI Z97 specifications for safety glass and is manufactured exclusively with PPG Starphire® low-iron glass.

Additionally, JEB will feature its point supported glass wall and canopy products in a display that utilizes complex shapes and angles. The Invisiwall™ point supported systems are custom engineered to fit any location including entrances, wall facades, partitions or canopies for offices, hotels, condominiums or retail spaces. Low-iron, silk-screened, acid-etched, tinted or insulating glass—even SentryGlas® Expressions™ can be fabricated to connect with the specified hardware for a project.
www.jeberkowitz.com 

Booth 1845: Education and New Products, All in One Booth
Want to learn about LEED certification? Commercial windows? Unitized curtainwalls? Maybe check out a new product or two? All of these elements come together in Kawneer Company Inc.’s booth. The company will conduct AIA-registered Continuing Education System (CES) programs within its dedicated learning center. The 15-minute programs provide an opportunity for hands-on product interaction and in-person conversations with product experts. Program titles are: Achieving a LEED Strategy in Division 8: Glass & Glazing; Commercial Windows: Configuration and Selection; and Unitized Curtain Walls: Introduction and Installation.

In addition, Kawneer will display its new AA®3200 ISOWEB® sliding door and the recently introduced light satin aluminum finish. 
www.kawneer.com 

Booth 1056: Optical Opportunities
Growing demand for daylight transmittance led Pilkington to begin producing Optiwhite™ low iron float glass at its Laurinburg, N.C., facility. According to information from the company, the glass has a crystal clear appearance and light transmittance of 92 percent. It can be tempered and laminated, maintains clarity over a range of glass thickness and offers high solar transmittance for solar energy.

Pilkington Optiwhite has a near colorless appearance compared to standard clear float glass and can be used for aesthetic purposes in a wide variety of applications, including shower enclosures, appliances, decorative and furniture applications, as well as many others. 
www.pilkington.com 

Booth 6710: Designer Details
Aluminum cornice moulding extrusions are now available from SAF-Perimeter Systems, a division of Atlanta-based Southern Aluminum Finishing (SAF). The series provides precision joints, sharp, crisp lines and refined detail.

The new extruded line is part of the company’s Designer Series Cornices and may be used for both new construction and historic renovations. 

The extruded cornices feature concealed fastening flanges that eliminate pop rivets or exposed screws, and also allow for joints that permit either a “cast stone” or “traditional seamless wood cornice” look. The new mouldings are available in eight interchangeable profiles along with starter sills and top closures. Standard lengths are 8-, 10- and 12-feet; custom lengths up to 20-feet are also available. Colors include any of the company’s 56 EZ Mix Color Coatings, or custom colors by special order. 
www.saf.com 

Booth 4152: Built for Performance
A number of new green offerings have been added to the fire-rated glazing product line from San Francisco-based SAFTI FIRST.

The company’s SuperLite II-XL IGU and SAFTIfire GPX assemblies are NFRC certified. These products have been tested and certified to NFRC 100 (U-value), NFRC 200 (solar heat gain coefficient) and NFRC 500 (condensation resistance). The assemblies are fire-rated up to two hours and meet ASTM E-119 requirements. In addition to its new offerings, SAFTI FIRST will display its full line of fire-rated glazing products. 
www.safti.com  

Booth 1525: Set Sail with New Offerings from PPG
Combining solar performance with a hint of color, all of PPG’s tints from the Oceans of Color collection, including Atlantica, Azuria, Caribia and Solexia, as well as Solargray and Solarbronze tinted glasses, are now offered with Solarban 70XL or Solarban 60 solar control low-E coating on the second surface of the glass. In addition to providing environmental performance, the second-surface coated tints provide aesthetic options. 

Also available from PPG, is its new Solarban 80 Optiblue glass. According to information from the company, when used in a standard 1-inch insulating glass unit, the Solarban 80 coating on the second surface of an Optiblue glass substrate with a clear interior lite generates a light, steel blue-green appearance with visible light transmittance (VLT) of 34 percent, a solar heat-gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.20 and a light-to-solar (LSG) gain ratio of 1.70.In addition, the combination of a Solarban 80 coating on the second surface of an Optiblue glass substrate with an Optiblue interior lite provides a rich, steel-blue tint with VLT of 25 percent, a SHGC of 0.20 and an LSG ratio of 1.23.The Solarban 80 on a clear glass substrate with a clear interior lite has an LSG ratio of 1.98. 
www.ppg.com 

Booth 4847: “Platinum” Performance
PYRAN® Platinum fire-rated glass-ceramic products from SCHOTT are environmentally friendly glass-ceramic panels designed to have optimal clarity and meet both fire- and impact-safety requirements in building code-regulated locations. 

For transoms and windows, PYRAN® Platinum, along with the PYRAN® Platinum F and PYRAN® Platinum L product lines for safety-rated locations, such as doors and sidelites, are UL classified and meet necessary test standards, including the hose stream test. PYRAN® Platinum is rated up to 90 minutes, while PYRAN® Platinum F and L are rated up to three hours in doors. The PYRAN® Platinum F and L products also conform to positive pressure test standards set by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., for the United States and Canada. 

In addition, PYRAN® Platinum F is impact-resistant and meets ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 12CFR1201 (Categories I and II). PYRAN® Platinum L safety and fire-rated products are also fire and impact rated meeting ANSI Z97.1 and CPSC 16CFR1201 (Categories I and II). 
www.us.schott.com 

Booth 4036: Magic Marker (Boards) and More
The growing use of decorative glass has led to a diverse offering of products and Goldray Industries Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta and Goldray USA in Brooklyn, N.Y., will display different ways architectural decorative glass can be used as a solid surface building material.   

One of the company’s newest developments involves production of two-sided DecoTherm® printed glass. DecoTherm digital ceramic frit glass decoration is a patented process for placing high-resolution graphic designs permanently on to glass without the maintenance issues of sandblasting or the set up costs associated with screen printing. The process can be used for custom designs including graphics, logos and text, photographs, detailed custom designs and sketches; stock designs are also available.

Glass marker boards are also new. The boards are made using an opaque coating or interlayer applied to an unexposed surface of glass, resulting in an easy to clean, writable surface. The marker boards are available in standard or magnetic, with either polished or framed edges; they are available in virtually any color or custom artwork.  
www.goldrayindustries.com 

Booth 633: Subtle Nuances 
Custom designs are now available as part of the Textures™ Nuance line of patterned acid-etched glass and mirror from Walker Glass Co. Ltd. According to information from the company, any pattern can be made thanks to its continuous research and development of the acid etch-process, which allows for a high-quality registration and an unmatched level of detail. 

This custom program is available on any North American substrate in a wide range of glass thicknesses varying from 3-mm to 19-mm and 3-mm to 6-mm on mirror in sizes up to 96- x 130-inches. The patterns are available on etched or unetched glass.  www.walkerglass.com 

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.