Best showroom

This retail glass showroom is adorned with state-of-the-art visual displays and hundreds of unique glass and hardware product samples. The Susan Fredman Design Group, Chicago, skillfully translated the vision of Alsip, Ill.-based Trainor Glass Co.’s senior management into reality.

The 950-square-foot showroom space features five large-screen LCD/HD monitors that continually display finished product photos for each of five product categories. Forty-five individually suspended lighting fixtures and pleasant background music provide for a relaxed shopping experience. The center island includes four dual-monitor glass design workstations with one-on-one seating for customers and sales associates. Suspended between two structural pillars is a cable and channel assembly consisting of a four-lite, 204-inch by 50-inch sandblasted photo reproduction of tree leaves and branches on ½-inch clear tempered glass with a sateen pattern on the facing side by Skyline Designs, Chicago. Décor Cable, Chicago, provided the cable and clamps. The entire space—including the showroom, employee workspaces, offices and conference room—is designed to incorporate glass products as a complete showcase for customers to experience. Product fixtures in the office and conference room include full glass doors, glass marker boards, glass counter surfaces and glass shelving. Also unique to this retail showroom is the number of available products and complete product packages, including glass and hardware combinations from more than 30 main manufacturers. The collection of samples, product combinations and expert design guidance furnished by sales associates combine to make this glass shopping experience one-of-a-kind.

“The most challenging aspect of opening this Glass Design Center was being able to encompass the needs of a very diverse marketplace, and in turn, educate that market about the unique glass products and services that Trainor has to offer,” says Paul Rowan, vice president and Midwest region general manager, Trainor Glass. “Champaign houses offices for several Fortune 500 companies, many wellknown technology start-up companies, and the University of Illinois, with the surrounding area being primarily composed of farming communities. Our Glass Design Center showroom has been successful in providing an enticing, welcoming atmosphere that invites exploration and discovery of the many endless possibilities of glass.”