Photo © Olaf Rohl
Balancing act
Like many aspects of building design, schools present architects with a balancing act of sorts: how to create a meaningful, functional design while meeting code requirements, saving energy, maintaining safety, and staying on budget.
Determining which type of glass is required varies greatly by application and local code regulations. Architects will need to consult building codes and manufacturers to determine which ratings are required in each area of the building and how those requirements dictate allowable sizes.
For example, architects used several types of fire-rated glass to achieve Pfluger Architects’ design goals for Tom Glenn High School in Leander, Texas. Most prominent is a large central atrium housing the cafeteria, with glass windows looking down from the second level. For this application, the architects specified fire-rated ceramic glass.
Glazing was also a priority with classrooms because the school sought a collaborative learning environment, in which learning spaces include glass walls made with fire-rated ceramic glass. Along with offering fire protection, the double-paned glass features an internal blind system for further protection during a lockdown.
“Everybody wants collaborative learning that’s much more transparent,” notes Jessica Molter, principal at Pfluger Architects, “but you also have to think about the safety aspects.”
Indeed, safety has become just as important in school design as the creation of productive learning environments. Thankfully, architects have more options than ever to create spaces that are conducive to learning, collaborative in form, efficient in operation, and healthy—without sacrificing peace of mind.
Patricia Hernandez is the northwest regional sales manager for Vetrotech Saint-Gobain North America. Her territory includes Washington, Oregon, Montana, Northern Idaho, Alaska, and Western Canada. Hernandez works with the architectural and glazing communities to educate the industry on the unique aspects of fire-rated glass. She has more than 25 years of experience in the building materials industry and is active in numerous architectural and professional organizations. Hernandez is a current board member for the Washington Glass Association and is a member of CSI’s Portland Chapter. She can be reached via e-mail by writing to patricia.hernandez2@saint-gobain.com.
