The 200,000 square-foot, LEED Gold-certified Engineering and Computer Science West (ECSW) façade design at the University of Texas at Dallas has U-shaped glass enclosures with calibrated shading designs, transparency and comfort.
"Research labs, maker spaces, project rooms and learning environments are visually connected to one another, creating a culture of openness and interdisciplinary engagement. Externally, the highly transparent façade offers a window into the academic experience, allowing students, faculty and visitors to see engineering in action," says Randall Daniel, senior principal and science & technology studio design leader for the SmithGroup in Dallas.
To strike the balance of transparency and thermal performance, the architects chose triple silver-coated Solarban 70 glass from Vitro Architectural Glass. With a visible light transmittance (VLT) of 64% and a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.27 blocking a high percentage of unwanted heat gain, the high-performance glazing optimizes views inside and out, enhances occupant comfort and reduces cooling loads.
"Solarban glass provided the 'sweet spot' the project demanded, a combination of high daylight transmission, excellent solar control and color-neutral clarity," says Daniel.
