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Pittsburgh’s National Aviary earned the Prix Lumières award, organized by the Association de vitrerie et fenestration du Quebec. The recently renovated aviary took home the Best Commercial Institutional Building honor for its Wetlands habitat.
The Wetlands, which house a variety of bird species such as American Flamingos, Brown Pelicans, Boat-billed Herons and Sunbitterns, is the National Aviary’s biggest habitat. Photo courtesy of Vitro.
The Wetlands renovation included the replacement of 1,200 lites with bird-friendly glass from Vitro Architectural Glass and Walker Glass. The new glass enhances the habitat by increasing ultraviolet and natural light and provides warmth. This is the first major renovation of the Wetlands, which was built in 1969.
As part of the project, Vitro contributed over 20,000 square feet of Starphire Ultra-Clear glass and AviProtek glass, developed in collaboration with partner Walker Glass. AviProtek glass features an acid-etched pattern on its outer surface to increase bird visibility and prevent collisions. Walker also etched the standard Starphire glass used on the project.
The Wetlands, which house a variety of bird species such as American Flamingos, Brown Pelicans, Boat-billed Herons and Sunbitterns, is the National Aviary’s biggest habitat. The renovated exhibit showcases new bird species, bird-friendly glass, an interactive coastal tree sculpture, new rockwork and a new walkway.
