Dow Corning has used SageGlass® tintable glazings in its extension of the Solar Energy Exploration and Development (SEED) centre, a state-of-the-art research and development facility in Seneffe, Belgium.
This will provide a dynamic and comfortable sustainable glazing solution and help achieve the highest energy efficiency standards, says Mr. Francis Sputael, project manager of the SEED’s extension.
The SEED centre, designed by architect Patrick de Grave from EARCH Engineering and design office, showcases Dow Corning silicones solutions for green buildings, sustainable design and green technologies, and must therefore promote insulating and sustainable architecture while providing an energy-efficient and comfortable working space for occupants.
Located on a bridge between two newly-constructed buildings – the Solar Application Centre and the Innovation Technology Centre – the complex required an aesthetically-pleasing transparent glazing solution to control solar light, heat gain and glare. SageGlass is electronically tintable dynamic glass that maximizes daylight and outdoor views in the building while controlling glare and heat gain without using internal or external shading. The glass can darken or clear manually or automatically to save energy and help keep building occupants continuously comfortable throughout the day.
SageGlass was installed into the SEED centre as structural glazing using Dow Corning silicones. The windows are managed by the SageGlass control system in two automatic switching zones. Depending on the solar exposure of the façade, which is monitored by light sensors, the glass darkens or clears to take full advantage of daylight and prevent solar heat gain. Thanks to a presence detector and light level sensors, artificial lights are switched on and off automatically to maximize energy efficiency. Installing SageGlass also enabled the SEED centre to make the most of the entire meeting room without the challenge of internal shading solutions taking up valuable space.
“SageGlass allowed us to maintain the concept of transparency and lightness for the conviviality zone, despite a very high sun exposure in the meeting room,” said Mr. de Grave. “At the same time, this innovative technology will motivate the researchers working in the building to reconsider existing standard solutions.”
Photos of this and other SAGE projects can be found at: /portfolio/.
About SAINT-GOBAIN
Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction markets, designs, manufactures and distributes building materials, providing innovative solutions to the challenges of growth, energy efficiency and environmental protection. With 2011 sales of more than €42 billion, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and has nearly 195,000 employees. For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning, a global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide with more than 7,000 products and services. In Construction, Dow Corning brings 40+ years of experience of Silicone-based solutions for commercial glazing and facades, Structural Glazing, Insulating Glass, weatherproofing as well as high performance insulation. The company was founded in 1943 and is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated, visit www.dowcorning.com.
About SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
SAGE Electrochromics is the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced dynamic glass that can be tinted or cleared to optimize daylight and improve the human experience in buildings. SageGlass controls the sunlight and heat that enter a building, significantly reducing energy consumption while improving people’s comfort and well-being. SageGlass can reduce a building’s cooling load by 20% and HVAC requirements up to 30%. It is a smarter, more elegant solution than conventional sun controls such as mechanical window shades, blinds and louvers. Now celebrating its 10th year anniversary shipping commercial SageGlass, the company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered near Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., in the heart of “the Silicon Valley of the window industry.” SAGE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain of Paris, the world’s largest building materials company.
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