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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2019 Conference on Architecture held last week in Las Vegas brought together thousands of architects and exhibitors. Visitors came for education and to bridge the gap between products and specifications. Several glass trends stood out.
The 2019 AIA Conference on Architecture highlighted a number of architectural glass and metal trends.
Glass is for the Birds-Literally
Bird-friendly glass has moved from novelty to de rigueur as a number of primary manufacturers and fabricators have advanced offerings. What began as a lark, so to speak, to protect our feathered friends has soared in popularity as the architectural glass community took action to reduce the number of avian deaths. You can see some of the latest here:
https://www.usglassmag.com/2019/06/aia-2019-opens-in-las-vegas/
https://www.usglassmag.com/2019/06/aia-2019-products-and-trends/
An Unending Panel
New types of finishes and new applications using them continued to dominate the show.
Petersen Aluminum, for example, highlighted its Precision Series Highline S1 architectural wall panels, which provide design flexibility and easy, cost-effective installation. The Highline S1 profile is 1-3/8 inch deep, and can be paired with six other profiles in the Highline Series. The panels can be installed horizontally or vertically, and can also be specified as perforated in aluminum only for use in equipment screen applications or over graphics.
Another new product at the show was the SnapCab Connect, a modular panel system that creates workspaces anchored by pods on wheels for maximum flexibility. It’s typical of the trend toward multi-use panels.
SnapCab featured a variety of innovative panel applications.
New Combos
New products and new technology continued to be combined in novel ways to push the proverbial glass envelope. Galaxy Glass, for example, combined new textures with Corning’s Gorilla Glass to create some breath-taking looks. Assa Abloy combined new designs in hardware pulls and handles with eye-catching colors for an unforgettable look.
Assa Abloy featured an assortment of colorful options during the AIA Expo.
Bigger and bigger openings also continue to be in demand. Panda Windows & Doors featured is TSXO system which has a very narrow sightline, according to Jennyfer Woods, vice president of sales. She said the slim lines and large glass help maximize views of wherever the application is located.
“It’s designed for the residential market, but we’re seeing a lot of interest in using it on the commercial end, so we’re starting to gear toward that end,” she said.
