What’s old is new

We've been hearing some good news about the renovation and retrofit market for glaziers and glass retailers. For nonresidential building, the renovation/retrofit market is expected to grow three-to-five fold in the next five years, according to a recent article in the January 2011 issue of Glass Magazine. And for retailers, the remodeling market also shows potential this year, with homeowner spending expected to increase 12.8 percent in 2011, as reported in another article from our recent forecast.

I have come across a number of renovation projects that have emerged from this trend, including the fabulous 15 Union Square West, and the recently modernized Engine Company 239, today's GreatGlazing feature.

Architectural Record recently featured 13 renovation projects, many showcasing extensive glazing. (My personal favorite is the new location for the OTH design firm in Amsterdam, a glass-clad structure building on a former concrete structure for mooring ships). 

How does the renovation market look to you? Are you seeing growth? And, have you completed any innovative, challenging or just plain interesting retrofit projects? If so, let us know. Feel free to comment or send me an email directly. 

--By Katy Devlin, associate editor