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Bendheim Glass Sparkles in Met Opera Renovation

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Our custom bronze reflective glass accentuates a dramatic revitalization in one of New York City’s most iconic cultural landmarks, the former Eleanor Belmont Room at the Metropolitan Opera.

GACHOT worked alongside Elle Décor to reimagine the Belmont Room, originally designed by renowned decorator Billy Baldwin. Now officially renamed the Keebler J. Straz Lounge, the space has been transformed into a warm and welcoming environment that respects its historical significance while appealing to contemporary audiences. “We wanted to get the space feeling more like a living room as it had when Billy Baldwin first designed it,” said Christine Gachot, co-founder of GACHOT.

Bendheim bronze mirror behind the lounge bar.

Keebler J. Straz Lounge at the The Metropolitan Opera, New York, NY by Gachot. Photo by William Jess Laird.

Our reflective bronze glass serves as a stunning backdrop behind the bar. This bespoke glass contributes a sense of elegance and honors Baldwin’s thoughtful design principles, creating a sense of depth and luminosity reminiscent of the Met’s gilded ceilings and rich color palette.

A vintage Rolex clock, strategically positioned on the wall of the gently reflective bronze glass, adds a layer of agelessness to the space. Its placement creates an illusion the clock is floating, bridging past and present. This interplay of old and new enriches the lounge’s atmosphere, inviting patrons to relax and socialize in style. The venerable Met Opera building opened in 1966 and is in Lincoln Center.

The design process began with our design team working closely with GACHOT to create a range of custom glass types that met the design intent. They were followed by additional detailed renderings that received approval from the designers. We provided additional details making installation quick and efficient.

“Bendheim was one of our easiest collaborators and we were so pleased that they were immediate willing participants when approached for the opportunity,” Gachot noted. “The team’s professionalism and effectiveness were deeply appreciated.”

Bendheim bronze mirror clads the walls between the windows.

Keebler J. Straz Lounge at the The Metropolitan Opera, New York, NY by Gachot. Photo by William Jess Laird.

Our glass was installed throughout the space. The classic hues of these reflective glass types are ideal for hospitality and commercial spaces, including lobby walls and elevator interiors. The glass is available in large sheet sizes and is extremely maintenance-friendly.

Baldwin, whose projects included decorating the White House for President John F. Kennedy and many celebrities, originally shaped the aesthetic of the Belmont Room. His blend of classic elegance and practical comfort created intimate seating arrangements that fostered conversation. Baldwin famously encouraged clients to be faithful to their own taste, a philosophy that resonates in the lounge’s refreshed design.

Gachot said her team drew inspiration from The Met lobby and auditorium in the new furnishings. “The palette of the lounge has similar rich tones of red, gold and bronze, and warm white,” she explained. “The bar remained in its place and for the layout of furniture, we referenced Billy Baldwin’s original layout.”

The transformation directed by GACHOT has created a warm and welcoming environment that respects the room’s historical significance while appealing to contemporary audiences.

Bendheim bronze mirror behind the lounge bar.

Keebler J. Straz Lounge at the The Metropolitan Opera, New York, NY by Gachot. Photo by William Jess Laird.

The Keebler J. Straz Lounge now serves as a vibrant gathering place for Met patrons, board members and VIP guests. They seek to engage a new generation with the arts while celebrating the rich history shaping this esteemed institution. The thoughtful design pays tribute to Baldwin’s work.  The defined seating areas foster intimacy and conversation, making the lounge an integral part of the opera experience.

“We were honored to be invited to collaborate on this project,’’ Bendheim Partner Steven Jayson said. “The Met Opera is well-known throughout the region, and having the opportunity to be included is a testament to the craftsmanship and beauty of our architectural glass products.”

Bendheim Helps Revitalize Salt Lake City’s Olympic Cauldron

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As Salt Lake City celebrates its selection to host the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, the iconic Olympic cauldron, which once burned brightly during the 2002 games, has undergone a significant renovation. This revitalized landmark now features our decorative laminated glass, enhancing its beauty and safety.

Standing 72 feet tall and constructed with over 700 glass panels, the cauldron embodies a striking “fire and ice” motif, inspired by the themes of the 2002 Winter Olympics: “Light the Fire Within.” The cool hues of the ice-themed panels are a contrast to the flame ignited within the icicle burning at 900 degrees Fahrenheit. The project was spearheaded by Holdman Studios in coordination with Bendheim’s Mountain West representative, LTS.

Olympic Cauldron with Bendheim glass.

Olympic Cauldron, Salt Lake City, UT by Holdman Studios. Photo by Beth Hockett.

“Holdman Studios reached out to us and said they were trying to replicate the glass from the original installation,” said Beth Hockett, lead representative at LTS. The renovation process involved removing the existing glass and structural elements and replacing them with the newly fabricated laminated glass accurately replicating the original pieces. Holdman Studios undertook the meticulous task of measuring, cutting and installing the glass pieces, utilizing advanced water jet technology to achieve precise shapes.

Our glass was selected not only for its beauty but also for its safety. The laminated glass ensures the glass if broken will remain in place rather than shattering and falling out. A crucial consideration for public installations.

“Tempered and annealed glass falls in pieces when broken,” said James Graham, Project Manager for Holdman Studios. “Laminated glass has a plastic inner layer that holds the glass together, so if anything breaks, it won’t fall and hurt somebody. That was the main purpose of using it on this project.”

Olympic Cauldron glass close up.

Olympic Cauldron, Salt Lake City, UT by Holdman Studios. Photo by Holdman Studios.

The significance of the Olympic Cauldron extends beyond its physical presence; the cauldron has become a landmark in Salt Lake City, representing a proud Olympic legacy that continues to inspire community engagement and international tourism.

Although the last Olympic Games in Utah were held in 2002, the cauldron is still lit today during the University of Utah athletic contests at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The 2002 Games were particularly memorable, as they witnessed nine world records in speed skating, thanks to the low air resistance associated with Salt Lake’s high elevation.

As the 2034 Winter Olympics approach, the revitalized cauldron will stand at the heart of Olympic Park, inviting the public to interact with its new features, including an elevated cascading water feature. This iconic structure will remain a cherished part of Salt Lake City’s landscape for years to come.

Bendheim Glass Illuminates Historic 200 Varick Street Renovation

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Our products played an important role in the transformative renovation of the elevator lobby at 200 Varick Street, a prominent Art Deco building in Manhattan’s Hudson Square. The redesign, overseen by BR Design Associates, celebrates the building’s rich history and modern updates while showcasing our innovative glass solutions.

Originally constructed in 1927 and designed by architect Frank S. Parker, 200 Varick Street housed printing presses and later a graphic arts center. The building’s evolution is reflected in its recent renovation, which integrates elements of its past with a chic, modern aesthetic. The new elevator lobby design pays homage to the building’s historical roots with a sophisticated blend of black metal, terrazzo, wood tones and monochromatic finishes.

TurnKey Fusion Light Wall creating back-lit walls in a lobby.

200 Varick St., NYC by BR Design Associates. Photos by Tom Sibley.

The renovation, which covers 1,500 square feet, addresses both functionality and style, incorporating our cutting-edge TurnKey™ glass cladding system to enhance the space. The lobby now includes a dramatic backlit portal and translucent walls that contribute to the elegant, timeless atmosphere. The easily installed TurnKey™ system spans nearly 1,000 square feet and seamlessly transitions from the walls to the ceiling. The stairs and walkway are clad with glass and LED backlit panels. The translucent white glass evenly distributes light without a trace of shadow lines. GFC Ornamental Glass installed the system.

“We tried to create that modernism, but it’s still a design that isn’t going to age,” said Michael Rait, Founder and Principal at BR Design. “We feel like we introduced a lot of elements there, like the illuminated brick, and then that illuminated portal is using light to create a dramatic design.”

TurnKey Fusion Light Wall creating back-lit walls in a lobby.

The TurnKey™ system is a budget-friendly solution for opaque and backlit walls in which panels can be installed and later replaced quickly and effortlessly without damaging the wall behind. The clip-in system is forgiving and adjusts easily on-site. The system is fast, easy, and inexpensive to install and maintain. It can be used with hundreds of in-stock safety-tempered and/or laminated glass varieties.

This innovative use of glass adds visual interest as it improves the space’s efficiency and flow, solving previous bottleneck issues and enhancing the visitor experience. The integration of Bendheim products into the redesign highlights how architectural glass can elevate and modernize spaces while honoring historical significance.

For more information on TurnKey™, visit https://bendheim.com/system_product/turnkey-fittings/

Bendheim’s New Seaglas™ Collection: A Celebration of Coastal Colors

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The Seaglas Collection creates a serene atmosphere

We are pleased to introduce our Seaglas™ Collection, offering a stunning homage to the beauty and serenity of the ocean. Inspired by the invigorating energy and never-ending motion of the sea, this collection captures the essence of sea glass. It takes this natural wonder and seemingly encapsulates it within a sheet of glass, preserving its alluring and magical quality in a form that is a practical and versatile building product.

The restorative energy of the ocean is the inspiration behind Seaglas. The ocean’s rolling surf and the ebb and flow of the tides transform shards of glass, once discarded and forgotten, into softly rounded glowing cabochons.

Samples of Bendheim's soft etched SeaGlas

One of the standout features of the Seaglas Collection is its adaptability. Available in large 60” x 120” sizes and larger upon special request, the scale and colors of the glass can be customized to meet specific design requirements. The collection is available in tempered or tempered and laminated safety forms to meet project glazing requirements.

“Just the sight and sound of the ocean promote wellness, creating a sense of relaxation,’’ Bendheim partner Steven Jayson said. “The Seaglas Collection’s design reflects the hues of the sea. This glass is more than a visual treat, it’s a functional one that is perfectly suited for wall surfaces, partitions, and more.”

The Seaglas Collection is engineered to integrate seamlessly with the our innovative Z-KISS™ wall mounting system and TurnKey™ wall cladding system.

The glass can be easily backlit with our UL-certified TurnKey™ Fusion™ light wall system. The system diffuses the light as it passes through and illuminates the glass, casting a soothing glow evocative of the ocean’s tranquility. The system further ensures that the installation of Seaglas is efficient and secure, providing a flawless finish.

Sample of Bendheim's soft etched SeaGlas

Innovative and breathtaking, Seaglas allows architects and designers to bring a sense of the ocean’s magic to any project. Whether a focal point or as part of a broader design scheme, Seaglas can transform a space into an extraordinary and comforting environment.

For more information about our digitally printed architectural glass, visit https://bendheim.com/glass_type/bendheimdigital/.

Bendheim Glass Mural Captures Historic Olympic Moment

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Inspirational Image Installed with TurnKey™ Fusion Celebrates Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens raced to Olympic glory nearly 90 years ago, but his inspirational performance in Berlin in 1936 remains indelibly etched in the minds of Bendheim employees via a beautiful digitally printed backlit glass mural at the company’s headquarters in Wayne, N.J.

The image of Owens – 8 feet high and 15 feet wide — is the first thing people see when entering the headquarters of the architectural glass manufacturer. The wall includes four panels of digitally printed glass which combine to create the overall image. The glass is installed with our innovative TurnKey™ Fusion Light Wall system, which uses petite clips to capture the glass, eliminating the need for adhesives or expensive glass drilling.

Lobby with Bendheim's TurnKey Fusion Light Wall, featuring a glass mural of Jesse Owens

The project captures Owens as he competes en route to four gold medals at the Games. He won individual gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters and long jump. He also ran on the victorious 4 x 100-meter relay. The Berlin Games were held amid a politically charged atmosphere, coming just three years after Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany.

“The wall acts as a representation of values that Jesse’s performance symbolized, including bravery, optimism, and teamwork,” Bendheim President Donald Jayson said. “We hope that the mural inspires both our team and visitors alike.”

2 men installing glass panels into the wall

The mural’s significance takes on added importance amid the 2024 Summer Olympics currently under way in Paris, France. Saturday, August 3, will mark the 88th anniversary of Owens’ victory in the 100-meter dash at the Berlin Olympics.

For more on our TurnKey Fusion system, visit https://bendheim.com/system/interior-glass-cladding-systems/

Bendheim Brings New Light to Titanium Glass Collection

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We are happy to introduce the Lunar Collection to our Titanium architectural etched glass line. The mix of subdued to dazzling designs create truly distinctive glass surfaces allowing building planners to reimagine walls and ceilings with gently glowing glass surfaces enlivened by ambient light.

Our Titanium Lunar Collection delivers a delicate reflective glass that interplays with available light adding luminosity and a soft energy. The decorative Lunar Collection features an eclectic mix of luminous patterns, each designed to play with light in a unique way.

The durable, maintenance-friendly material and its three-dimensional patterns are ideal for a wide array of interior design projects. Its fingerprint-resistant surface is well-suited for wall cladding applications in high traffic areas, while its gentle glow is a quiet design element that improves the quality and quantity of interior light.

Architects and designers are continuing to adopt holistic approaches to creating healthier environments. Mood- and productivity-boosting daylight, with the help of specialty architectural glass, is known to have a profound effect on the health and wellness of building occupants.

This new line of luminous architectural glass enhances interior spaces, gently reflecting and diffusing daylight. The graphic internal patterns give the illusion of depth and wonder, a material which subtly shifts in texture and depth, lending visual interest and a subtle glow to interior surfaces. The patterns can be customized and scaled to project requirements, and is ideal for a variety of applications including: feature walls for healthcare, hospitality, commercial, and residential interiors.

The Titanium Lunar Collection can be quickly and easily installed with our Z-KISS™ and TurnKey™ systems, saving time and labor costs.

“We’re excited to introduce this line to provide ever more options for architects and building designers,’’ Bendheim President Donald Jayson said. “Innovation is critical to staying in the industry forefront, and the Titanium Lunar Collection adds a luminous, creative option that will gently and dramatically improve a building’s aesthetics.”