Bendheim Wall Systems’ Lamberts channel glass graces the recently renovated West Court of the National Academy of Sciences’ headquarters, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The walls of specialty channel glass contribute to the sustainable preservation mission of this comprehensive renovation project that integrates modern systems, materials, and infrastructure within the historic fabric of the building.

The architects’ work received the State Historic Preservation Officer’s Award at the 2013 District of Columbia Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation and the Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture from the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

“Each phase of the National Academy of Sciences headquarters—the original 1924 structure, the mid-century modern additions, and the new modernization and infill—is singularly of its time in terms of design and craftsmanship,” explains Larry Barr, Senior Principal at Quinn Evans Architects, the architectural firm in charge of the project. “The addition of channel glass is in keeping with that objective. It is a distinctive, high-quality material that uses recycled glass and reflects sophisticated production technology.”

Three courtyards were enclosed with skylights to create new pre-function, display, dining, and meeting spaces. As a design solution, Bendheim Wall Systems provided double-glazed Lamberts Rough Cast glass, with its 60% recycled content, moderate translucency and superior light scattering properties. The channel glass installation incorporates the company’s SF60 frame system in 10 vertical openings. The glass features Low-e coating and a 100% recycled thermal insulation interlayer providing optimal energy performance for the building.

“The channel glass exhibits a timeless, expert level of craftsmanship that complements the detailing throughout this beautiful historic building,” adds Mr. Barr. “As a practical matter, the opaque quality of the channel glass was particularly useful in the interior courtyards that we transitioned into meeting areas. The glass crowns the spaces and brings in daylight, but screens the rooftop mechanical equipment that would otherwise be visible.”

Lamberts channel glass is produced with up to 60% recycled content, carefully selected from the municipal waste stream. Manufactured in Europe’s only clean-burning, oxygen-fueled cast glass plant, it is also the only factory-produced tempered channel glass certified by the Safety Glazing Certification Council (SGCC) and available with a 100% heat soak testing.

The University of Houston’s Blaffer Art Museum has transformed its appearance with a new entrance featuring Bendheim Wall Systems’ channel glass. Designed by New York City-based WORKac, the welcoming, light-filled entrance with its dramatic staircase creates a sense of openness throughout the reception area.

“With the help of Bendheim Wall Systems, WORKac’s renovation of the Blaffer Museum came to life through the amazing possibilities of channel glass,” said Dan Wood, principal and co-founder of WORKac. “Bendheim was a pleasure to work with, and, together, we produced a refreshing and beautiful new landmark for the University of Houston and the city at large.”

The architects worked closely with Bendheim Wall Systems’ team to achieve the slanted appearance of the facade while staying on budget. The cost-effective alternative to the custom angle-cut channel glass stepped the glass channels within the framing system and incorporated an aluminum flashing to create the sloped appearance. The concealed design change substantially lowered the cost of material when compared to an angle-cut channel glass solution and also facilitated the installation.

The architects selected Lamberts 504 Rough Cast, pebble textured channel glass, with a blue-gray Azur coating to enhance the solar heat gain coefficient of the wall, to help the building remain cool in the hot Texas climate. Bendheim Wall Systems’ SF60 thermally broken framing system provides additional thermal performance.

WORKac’s design enhances the building’s entrance, improves the flow of pedestrian traffic into the museum and creates a more welcoming entrance to the public. The renovation marked “the most significant facility improvement in the museum’s 38-year history, providing both a much-needed physical upgrade and an identity-defining statement,” according to Blaffer Art Museum’s Director and Chief Curator Claudia Schmuckli.

Lincoln Center’s new Claire Tow Theater, with its channel glass enclosed elevator, is a winner of Architect Magazine’s 2012 Annual Design Review. The competition celebrates the best of American architecture, selecting winners from projects completed during 2012.

H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture boldly developed the Clare Tow Theater, home to Lincoln Center Theater LCT3 on the roof of the Vivian Beaumont Theater. To create access to the theater, H3 Hardy punched through the roof of the iconic Eero Saarinen-designed structure to create two elevators wrapped in translucent Lamberts channel glass from Bendheim. The unique structural properties of the glass permit 23’ tall spans of glass, inviting volumes of daylight in while providing dramatic glowing images at night.

Close collaboration between H3 Hardy, Bendheim Wall Systems, and the glazier, A-Val Architectural Metal Co., brought the design of maximum glass with minimal frame elements to life. The SGCC-certified tempered and heat-soak tested glass channels have the characteristic strength to span openings 23’ tall and withstand high wind loads. Provided with a low-e coating, the channel glass bolsters the building’s thermal envelope and reduce energy costs.

In evaluating the award contenders, the Annual Design Review jurors recognized the projects striving for clarity of statement regarding their relationships to their surroundings. The LCT3 Theater is an excellent example of how iconic architecture can be changed without damaging its identity.

A new landmark graces downtown Louisville, Ky.  – Norton Healthcare’s $27.7 million cancer treatment and research center by Karlsberger and Architection. Within this building, a two-story tall vibrant art glass wall creates a powerful yet tranquil gateway to the center.

Designed by Kenneth von Roenn Jr., and fabricated by his studio, Architectural Glass Art Inc., the 30’-by-30’art glass window is a key design element, projecting peace and tranquility into a space where patients and their families seek strength and healing.

The expansive wall of glass bathes the Institute’s Nixon Meditation Room in soft blues and greens, balanced with vivid magentas and oranges, all products of the sensitively chosen Lamberts mouth-blown range of glasses. Inspired by his brother’s long and successful fight with cancer, von Roenn chose colors and imagery to inspire positive, reflective thoughts, aiding the healing mission of the center.

“All human beings respond instinctively to color, and its effects are very important in the process of treatment and healing,” said von Roenn who has created numerous works of art for healthcare facilities. “When natural light is transmitted through glass, it elevates the effects of color. For this reason, colored glass windows are extremely effective elements in the design of healthcare environments.”

The wall of art glass is composed of 35 individual panels, incorporating Lamberts art glasses silicone laminated to clear float glass. The modern lamination technique enabled the studio to create this rich, painterly monumental installation without the black lines associated with traditional leaded glass windows. The Lamberts glass pieces are carefully cut and bonded to the base glass, forming an elaborate mosaic of light and color. Mouth-blown in Germany and imported exclusively by Bendheim in North America, Lamberts glass features subtle surface striations and small air bubbles, unmistakable characteristics of its centuries-old production method. Bendheim offers more than 500 glass colors, with over 5,000 additional colors and textures available through the Lamberts factory in Germany.

“Lamberts art glass transmits light beautifully because of its ancient glass making technique,” commented von Roenn. “The clarity of the color combined with the structure of the glass creates an unsurpassable visual effect.”

The composition of the piece relates to nature and growth; a large tree silhouette references the Norton Healthcare logo and represents the strength necessary to battle cancer. More than 1,000 inlaid, multi-faceted, hand-cut glass jewels scatter light onto the floor and walls, representing seeds of hope. The art glass composition is organized in a rectangular grid mimicking the design of the Institute. Another grid, composed of dichroic glass, is laminated to the exterior plane of the window, reflecting back portions of the design.