Great Glazing: Duke Cancer Center chapel

The basics: The Reflection Room chapel of the Duke Cancer Center in Durham, N.C., features a decorative glass installation aimed at improving the treatment of patients and relieving the stress of families, visitors and staff, according to officials from Architectural Glass Art. The circular glass feature element is designed to appear like a pool of water and serves as the central element in the chapel.

The players: Architect, Duda Paine & Associates; lighting consultant, Cline Bettridge Bernstiein Lighting Design; glass design, fabrication, installation, Architectural Glass Art Inc.

The glass and systems: 5-foot diameter, 12-inch tall circular glass form, composed of stacks of heavy plate glass bonded together. The top surface is cast with a texture to replicate rippling water, with small glass jewels laminated to the underside to create the appearance of drops of water on the surface. The work is illuminated internally with LED lights that cast colors onto the ceiling, according to AGA officials.