Pittsburgh’s National Aviary Unveils New, Bird-Friendly Glass

For the project, Vitro donated more than 20,000 square feet of Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass along with AviProtek® glass.

Pittsburgh’s National Aviary’s five-month, $3 million renovation was unveiled Monday. One of the major additions includes the replacement of 1,200 lites for new, bird-friendly glass provided by Vitro Architectural Glass and Walker Glass. The new glass will also warm the habitat by maximizing UV and natural light in the space. This is the first major renovation of the Wetlands, which was built in 1969.

For the project, Vitro donated more than 20,000 square feet of Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass along with AviProtek® glass, created in conjunction with Vitro partner Walker Glass. AviProtek® glass has an acid-etched pattern on the exterior surface of the glass, which maximizes glass visibility to birds and helps prevent collisions. Walker also etched the standard Starphire® glass used on the project.

“Vitro is honored to once again support the National Aviary in a monumental improvement that will have a profound impact on the community and the environment,” says Vitro president Ricardo Maiz. “This recent renovation provides comfort and beauty for the Wetlands’ birds and its visitors, and these modifications guarantee a thriving future habitat.”

The Wetlands is the National Aviary’s largest habitat and is home to diverse species. Bird species include American Flamingos, Brown Pelicans, Boat-billed Herons, and Sunbitterns, among others. The revamped Wetlands exhibit features new species of birds, gorgeous bird-friendly glass, a new walkway, new rockwork and an interactive coastal tree sculpture.