AGG - 2009 - MarchApril

Volume 23, Issue 2 - March/April 2009

Glass Tech

Education Overview
GANA Focuses on Resources for Architect
by Ashley M. Charest

Education is a critical element of keeping up with changing products and trends, design styles and general architectural information. The Glass Association of North America (GANA) is an industry leader dedicated to providing educational resources not only for its members, but also for the architectural community looking to push the envelope in commercial design with glazing products. As an AIA-CEU provider, GANA currently offers two AIA-CEU courses, both with a one-hour CEU-HSW credit.

Glass in Today’s Architecture: This course studies the manufacturing process for float glass, various types and applications for the product, and provides a list of benefits for architectural use. The course discusses flat glass manufacturing, glass substrate types and sizes, fabrication processes, glass performance terminology, applications, benefits, as well as helpful industry resources. This course is offered in three formats: a lunch-and-learn presentation held at an architect’s firm, a downloadable article and online quiz at www.glasswebsite.com or even an online streaming presentation found at www.glasseducation.com.

Coated Glass: This new presentation gives an overview of the manufacturing process for coated glass, performance values and even a case study on cost savings from this line of products. The course focuses on why glass is coated, glass surface terminology, coatings for optical and solar performance, solar and thermal performance common terminology, cost savings from using coated glass, surface-modifying coatings, the sputtering and pyrolytic coating processes and a review on how coated glass may be used in other applications. This course is currently offered as a lunch-and-learn presentation, however, the online streaming format of this presentation will soon be available at www.glasseducation.com.

In addition to these courses, GANA is currently finalizing six other presentations that will debut in 2009 or early-2010. The courses will cover the following topics: laminated glass, protective glazing, tempered glass, insulating glass, fire-rated glazing and decorative glass.

GlassEducation.com

GANA has also been developing a website that will be devoted to educational resources. GlassEducation.com will be a source of new AIA-CEU presentations, along with video presentations from various on-site seminars and online webinars. While still in its launch phase, GlassEducation.com will be a stable platform to view a variety of educational resources by the end of this year.“

How It’s Made” Videos

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the GANA “How It’s Made” videos are a virtual masterpiece. With three popular videos already online and available for viewing, and many more in the queue, GANA has created five-minute videos that take you into a glass manufacturing facility to view how float glass is made, how mirrors are made and how laminated glass is made using PVB. Visualizing sand turning into glass might be hard to imagine, but GANA takes you “inside” a float glass furnace to witness the transformation of a common material into a product that is being used more and more in the architectural industry.

From an architectural firm of thousands to a one-person design shop, GANA has the background and knowledge to educate you on what’s happening in the glass and glazing industry. Please be sure to visit us at booth #1058 during the AIA National Convention and Design Exposition to learn more about our educational offerings and how GANA can assist you as you design the buildings of tomorrow, today. AG

Ashley M. Charest is the account executive for the Glass Association of North America. Ms. Charest’s opinions are solely her own and not necessarily those of this magazine.