Back to Basics
AIA Brings Architects Back to the Fundamentals


In the age of cell phone app’s, super-size meals and vehicle accessory add-ons the world has left basics behind and focused on “bigger is better.” This year in Miami the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is taking architects back to basics in order to focus on the most important aspect of their job—design. AIA’s 2010 national convention, sporting a theme entitled “Design for the New Decade,” will take place June 10-12 in Miami.

The convention will feature a show floor of more than 800 exhibitors, a full seminar program and a wide variety of tours and other special events. Some of the tour highlights include the Key West Overnight Tour, Fort Lauderdale, South Beach and Fisher Island, The Port of Miami, The Art Deco District, American Airlines Arena, Jackson Memorial Medical Campus and Little Havana.

The seminar schedule will offer sessions such as LEED Design Tips and Tricks: Demystifying Key Credits to Achieve Great Design and Great Ratings; Designing for Diverse Clients: What You Need to Know to Work Successfully with Clients in this Era of Increasing Diversity and Sustainability Standards; Lighting and Daylighting for Sustainable Commercial Spaces and many more.

Azon USA Inc. of Kalamazoo, Mi. will be making an appearance in the seminar rooms. Presenting on “Optimizing Performance in Commercial Fenestration,” Azon will focus on structural thermal barriers for aluminum window framing and warm-edge spacer technology for insulating glass. Attendees of this seminar will listen to a comparison of these technologies and can receive 1 AIA/CES learning unit.

Energy efficiency is on everyone’s mind and the products being displayed by exhibitors reflect that trend. Following you will find a sampling of what you will see on the show floor.

AIA Product Preview
Booth #1773:
Three Products, One Stop
DORMA, of Reamstown, Pa., is not just bringing one new product to display at AIA, it is bringing three. The MAGNEO sliding door system from DORMA Entrance Systems provides an even gliding action that’s virtually free of sound and friction. Another door system that will be displayed is the new DORMOTION system. This system promotes assisted closing and comfortable cushioning of interior glass doors. In addition to doors, attendees will find walls on display too. The MOVEO® Moveable Glass Wall System from Modernfold offers the benefits of openness while providing sound insulation.
www.dorma-usa.com

Booth #1381:
Alice Dresses Up Glass
Products that assist in the design and appearance of glass also will be displayed all over the show floor. General Glass International of Secaucus, N.J., will display Alice™, its direct-to-glass printing technology that allows custom, multi-colored designs to be printed on glass. This system can permanently print an image onto glass at a 360 dpi resolution, including photos, drawings, logos, lines, dots and text.
www.generalglass.com

Booth #2553:
INvent a New Solution
Wausau Window and Wall Systems of Wausau, Wis., will be introducing its INvent™ Series of projected window products. This line of windows seeks to meet the needs of energy efficiency, protection against the elements and durability. The windows have been tested to meet AAMA AW-100 Architectural Performance Class ratings, including life cycle testing, and can assist buildings that are trying to obtain the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Green Rating System™.
www.wausauwindow.com

Booth #1023:
Innovations in Glass
Pittburgh-based PPG’s newest innovation in glass will be available at booth #1023. Its transparent-reflective SOLARBAN R100 glass features solar control and low-emissivity and a 14-percent interior reflectance, as well as color-neutral exterior reflectance of 32-percent. According to the company, the glass has visible light transmittance of 42-percent and a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.23 that helps architects and building owners meet stringent building codes.
www.ppg.com

Booth #945: Protection
From the Unexpected
Acurlite Structural Skylights of Berwick, Pa., will showcase its Secure Series large and small missile impact tested skylight system, which just recently completed impact testing in South Florida and has been assigned Notice of Acceptance NOA 10-0271.07 by the Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office. The company also will feature products such as blast-rated skylights, Florida-approved skylights, heavy-duty commercial skylights and pre-glazed/pre-assembled skylights.
www.acurlite.com

Booth #2271: Steel
Framing and New Windows
With both a new steel framing system and new windows, Kawneer of Norcross, Ga., will be displaying its latest releases. The new Steel Framing Systems from Forster features interior r steel and stainless steel framing systems for fire-rated and non-rated applications. Attendees will also find the fuego light door in the Forster thermfix vario curtainwall. Also on display will be the AA® 3350 ISOPORT® window. These windows can be single-hung, double-hung or fixed with an innovative polyamide thermal break design and factory glazing.
www.kawneer.com

Booth #1030:
Saving Time and Energy
The unofficial theme of energy efficiency at AIA is met by Pedricktown, N.J.-based JE Berkowitz’s RENOVATE by BERKOWITZ and SentryGlas® Expressions™ laminated glass. RENOVATE is a window retrofit system that can convert single-pane windows to create an energy-efficient, triple-glazing system without having a full window replacement that can disrupt tenants and create waste. SentryGlas® Expressions™ uses a process developed by DuPont that prints directly onto the plastic interlayer and allows photos and patterns to be applied to a range of architectural laminated glass applications.
www.jeberkowitz.com

Booth #2459:
Eco-Friendly Addition
Tubelite Inc. of Walker, Mich., will display its newest environmentally friendly addition to its line of products. EcoLuminum™ is a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition featuring environmentally friendly finishes. The company now manufactures all of its architectural, extruded aluminum products with this new composition, which it says is a great way to help obtain LEED® Green Building Rating System™ certification.
www.tubeliteinc.com

Your Guide to Glass at AIA
Booth #925 is home to both USGlass magazine and Architects’ Guide to Glass, a publication designed specifically for architects who want to learn more about design featuring glass and metal. Stop by and pick up a copy of the latest issue and introduce yourself to editors Megan Headley and Ellen Rogers. While you’re there find out more about the digital edition and what you can do to receive it as well as other educational opportunities.

Booth #1433:
Storm Conscious, Fire-Safe
Architects concerned with safety during natural disasters may find products of interest at the booth of San Francisco-based SAFTI FIRST. The company will be showcasing its new fire- and hurricane-resistant product, SAFTIfire Hurricane System, which was designed to meet fire and hurricane code requirements while providing unobstructed views. The SAFTIfire Hurricane System is rated up to 120 minutes and meets a number of test standards for both fires and hurricanes.

While there, attendees also may want to check out SuperLite X-90, a new 90-minute vision lite solution that the company has added to its growing family of SuperLite glazing products.

SuperLite X-90 is an economical fire- and safety-rated glazing that meets all of the standards for 90-minute temperature rise doors. This non-wired clear glazing provides visual clarity and is impact safety rated to meet federal and code requirements. SuperLite X-90 can be used in any listed vision lite frame and comes with a lifetime warranty from the factory.

Listed and labeled by Intertek/Warnock-Hersey, SuperLite X-90 is manufactured in the United States for fast lead times and competitive pricing.

“After years of research, development and testing, we are very excited to offer a low-cost, high performance product such as SuperLite X-90,” says William O’Keeffe, president and chief executive officer. “This is especially relevant to the current economic climate, where material budgets are tight and project dollars need to be stretched.”

O’Keeffee adds, “We will continue to introduce products that address the design, performance and budgetary needs of our clients.”
www.safti.com

Booth #2300:
Behind Bars
Glass manufacturer Dlubak Corp. of Blairsville, Pa., will debut a new line of forced entry and detention products at AIA. With jails and correctional facilities in mind, the company’s glass clad polycarbonate make-up was designed to meet the requirements of the four levels of ASTM F1915 along with modified bullet-resistant levels. In addition, attendees will find a display of curved laminated decorative glass that, according to the company, can increase energy efficiency.
www.dlubakglass.com

Booth #2211:
Across the Board
Stop by to see Bendheim of Passaic, New Jersey to find out more about the Robert A.M. Stern Collection. This collection of glass can be used for partition walls, doors and windows, shower enclosures and decorative features and incorporates a unique aesthetic. The glass is suitable for hotels, healthcare facilities, restaurants and residences, according to the company.
www.bendheim.com

Booth #1203:
Let the Air In
Häfele America Co. of Archdale, N.C. will be bringing its Al Fresco exterior sliding and folding door system to AIA. The system allows users to open up dining or entertainment areas at home or in commercial settings. With a choice of finishes and weight options the Al Fresco system is versatile for both residential and commercial atmospheres, according to the company.
www.hafele.com/us

Booth #2501:
Happy Medium
Pleotint LLC of West Olive, Mich., is bringing energy efficiency to the show with its sunlight responsive thermochromic (SRT) film. The film was developed to adapt to changing environmental conditions so that occupants receive the most amount of sunlight while taking in the least amount of solar gain. Films such as Pleotint’s can reduce cost and prevent fading while making consumers more “green.”
www.pleotint.com

Booth #2069:
A Seat in the Shade
Doralco Architectural Metals, of Alsip, Ill., will display its recent MIT Media Lab project which featured the company’s Intertec Sunshades. According to the company, the 100 percent recyclable sunscreens can be used to create an array of diffused light patterns within buildings while helping to obtain greater energy efficiency.
www.doralco.com

Booth #2359:
Linetec’s Frosty Finish
Linetec of Wausau, Wis., continues the focus on energy efficiency with the display of its eco-friendly anodize, which has a “frostier” matte finish to hide small defects, corrosion and scratches that may occur on the aluminum surface of architectural products. This new anodize process reduces waste by as much as 90 percent, and also reduces energy used with traditional etch processes. According to the company, the anodize finish has the viscosity of water and will not collect in the small recesses of aluminum extrusions or narrow aluminum tubes.
www.linetec.com

Booth #2459:
Following the Pattern
Montreal-based Walker Glass Co. is featuring its new line of patterned acid-etched glass and mirror along with its new double-sided etched glass. The line offers five stock patterns available in two different series providing for ten unique looks. According to the company, the different looks can provide privacy, style and function to projects. In addition to the stock patterns, custom capabilities are also available.
www.walkerglass.com


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