Skip links

Member Login

Bendheim

Header Right

Main navigation

Menu
MyBendheim

New Short Video Case Study | Infrastructure Project

by Leave a Comment

We have added a new video to our ongoing series of architectural case studies. In less than 2 minutes, the short film highlights the challenges architects faced when designing several structures at the new Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge Welcome Center, and how we were able to offer solutions.

“Our ongoing two-minute video case studies distill the most relevant information to provide architects quick, valuable insights,” said Ben Jayson, Bendheim President. “Architects and designers are pressed for time, but have to continue accumulating product and application knowledge. We offer a range of solutions, from virtual project consultations to these short case studies.”

Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects of London, the focus of the new case study includes a welcome center, electric vehicle charging stations, bike repair station, outdoor pavilion, and public art. The complex serves commuters, cyclists, and pedestrians, drawn to the bridge’s biking and walking paths for their breathtaking views of the Hudson River.

welcome center Bendheim

Bendheim’s short educational video addresses the challenge of constructing distinct structures serving completely different functions that achieve coherence through their use of our three-dimensional channel glass. It shows how, at the entrance of the plaza, the architects used 2,220 square feet of channel glass to envelop the Center’s comfort station. Our glass provides the restroom structure with the highest level of privacy, while transforming it into an architectural highlight.

channel glass canopy pavilion bendheim

To unite the pedestrian plaza, the architects then chose channel glass to cover the open air Pavilion. This decision made the Cuomo Bridge Welcome Center the first project in North America to include Bendheim’s channel glass as a canopy. 880 square feet of our channel glass in unusual tempered-and-laminated form were used on the overhead installation to meet building codes.

For more 2-minute video case studies, please visit our YouTube channel.

Unveiling 3 New Dichroic Glass Colors for Architecture

by Leave a Comment

Space-Travel-Inspired Architectural Glass Creates Vibrant Visual Aesthetics

We are introducing three new colorways – Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn – to our line of Optichroic® dichroic glass. The fresh color-shifting hues expand architects’ and interior designers’ material palette, providing new ways to create dynamic light and color effects.

Dichroic glass is innately interactive in nature. As the viewer’s angle to the glass changes, so does its color, giving Optichroic its kinetic iridescent characteristics.

NASA developed dichroic glass in the late 1950s to protect against the potentially harmful effects of direct sunlight and cosmic radiation. With its striking visual qualities, dichroic glass has found use in a variety of architectural applications – from stair railings to wall cladding.

Bendheim introduced large-format Optichroic dichroic glass to the architectural market in the early 2000s, and the new colors are the first since the product launch.

Optichroic® Dichroic Architectural Glass | Bendheim

Optichroic® dichroic architectural glass from Bendheim.

Since its introduction to the market, Optichroic has gained appeal due to its space-age aesthetic and versatility. We can tailor the glass with a wide range of finishes, textures and light-diffusing interlayers, creating a myriad of effects. Adding a matte finish, for example, can soften the shifting hues and lend an ephemeral quality – what one client referred to as “color without color.” Adding a sharp texture has the opposite effect, intensifying the color.

The adaptability of our Optichroic glass is reflected in the diversity of its applications. At the City University of New York Science Campus, for instance, our triple-laminated dichroic guardrails were custom curved to hug the contours of the six-story interior staircase. Their fine etched surfaces diffuse and soften the light and glass colors. They also resist fingerprints and stains – the perfect choice for this high-traffic area. At Google’s New York City office, clear dichroic glass exhibits high reflectivity and color. It was selected for its ability to capture and radiate the full spectrum of light.

W New York Times Square | Dichroic Architectural Glass DJ Booth

Bendheim’s Optichroic® laminated glass forms the attention-grabbing DJ booth at the W New York – Times Square Hotel lobby. Photo by Michael Kleinberg.

The new dichroic colors build on the products’ design flexibility. The glass is available in sizes up to 50″ x 120″ and thicknesses up to 3/4″. From subtle “color sans color” partitions to vibrant feature walls, Optichroic glass allows architects to specify the colorway and intensity that works for their unique project.

Bendheim Architectural Glass Welcomes Occupants at Iconic Structure

by Leave a Comment

Over 2,000 Square Feet of Privacy Glass Used at Chicago’s Willis Tower Renovation

Several architectural glass products from Bendheim blend transparency and privacy in a major renovation at one of the world’s most iconic structures.

Our Gothic™ and Houdini™ glass were among the architectural choices in the $500 million renovation of Willis Tower in Chicago. Formerly known as the Sears Tower, the renovation covered 460,000 square feet and reached across five floors. Gensler led the project for real estate holders Blackstone and Equity Office.

Willis Tower, which held the mantle of the world’s tallest building for 25 years, is home to about 15,000 workers and hosts 1.7 million annual tourists. The Skydeck Chicago observatory at Willis Tower is a major tourist attraction for the city.

Willis Tower | Bendheim Architectural Glass Project

Willis Tower, Chicago, IL by Gensler. Photo by Derek Larsen.

Architects specified nearly 2,700 square feet of our glass to achieve different design objectives in the project. Backlit translucent white glass stair raisers highlight the main staircase. In the lobby, textured, 40% post-consumer recycled Gothic EcoGlass™ provides transparency, while also offering some obscurity.

Houdini glass was used in a security area to help obfuscate security equipment. Gensler also specified translucent White and Grey colored glass in the project. A custom-made, double-sided bronze etch mirror was used to bring a sense of hospitality and a warmer backdrop to the lobby.

Willis Tower | Bendheim Architectural Glass Project

Willis Tower, Chicago, IL by Gensler. Photo by Derek Larsen.

The overall design objective was to design a building that felt more welcoming for workers, tourists and the 170,000 people who work or live within a 5-minute radius of the building. Gensler, in a project profile on its website, said its “charge was to create a vibrant, world-class destination at a site that is not currently realizing its full potential.”

The renovation includes 300,000 square feet of new retail at the base of the tower as well as a new 30,000 square foot outdoor deck. The redesigned building also includes a subterranean area that allows visitors to look up 111 stories. New amenities include a fitness center, tenant lounges, and a private event space.

Willis Tower | Bendheim Architectural Glass Project

Willis Tower, Chicago, IL by Gensler. Photo by Derek Larsen.

Willis Tower was completed in 1974. The 1,450-foot skyscraper is the third largest building in the Western Hemisphere, and stood as the world’s tallest building for nearly 25 years. One World Trade Center and Central Park Tower are the only buildings taller than Willis Tower in the United States.

Christopher Glass Services of Chicago served as the installer while Turner and Clayco were the general contractors.

Bendheim Wall Systems Inc. Celebrates 20 Years in Specialty Glass Facades

by Leave a Comment

Expanded Technical Capabilities and Offerings Cater to a Growing Range of Building Types

Bendheim Wall Systems Inc., our exterior arm, is marking its 20-year anniversary in the specialty glass facades industry. We became the first to introduce Lamberts® channel glass to North America and establish it as the go-to solution for high-performance translucent glass envelopes. We were also the first to introduce North American architects to clipped ventilated glass facades.

Lantern effect at the Nelson-Atkins Museum

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art introduced Bendheim’s Lamberts® channel glass to North America. Photo by Roland Halbe.

Key Developments:

In channel glass design:

  • Evolution from a product for cult architecture to a solution for everyday settings, from parking garages to office interiors
  • Shift towards more complex wall geometries
  • Commitment to sustainability, from the glass’ high percentage of post-consumer recycled content to its lower carbon footprint (EPD)

In glass rainscreen design:

  • Evolution from a quick solution for commercial facade facelifts to a key design element in a broad range of building types, from museums to schools
  • An expanded range of aesthetic options with a high degree of customization
  • A shift towards design assist to satisfy unique applications and increasingly complex requirements
3001 Orchard Parkway | Glass Rainscreen Facade

3001 Orchard Parkway in San Jose, CA, is the first project to feature a glass rainscreen facade by Bendheim. Photo by Jeff Peters, courtesy of MODULUS.

The project that launched our channel glass in North America – and set the tone for its design trajectory for years to come – was the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO by Steven Holl Architects. It features glass channels that reach continuous heights up to 23 feet and form five luminous glass structures, appearing to float over the landscape.

“Channel glass design has become democratized over the past two decades,” said Robert Jayson, Bendheim Co-Owner and Partner. “We have contributed to the shift by collaborating with architects to maximize the value of each design. For example, we provided the channel glass facade for the Schermerhorn affordable housing project in Brooklyn, and it was on a very tight budget.”

“Architects continue pushing the envelope into increasingly complex shapes,” added Michael Tryon, General Manager of Bendheim Wall Systems. “We recently completed our first helically curved channel glass walls at Steven Holl’s Franklin & Marshall College, and we look forward to the next challenge.”

Bendheim helical channel glass curves by Steven Holl at night

Helix-curved channel glass facades by Bendheim at Franklin & Marshall College emit a subtle viscerous glow at night. Photo by Paul Warchol.

Building on our expertise in specialty glass exteriors, in 2014, Bendheim launched North America’s first line of fully engineered clipped glass facades. The unique systems use compression fittings to cleanly and elegantly mount any type of glass to any building substructure. Engineered with several inches of field adjustability in all directions, they also speed facade fabrication and installation.

Bendheim’s first clipped glass projects were quick, budget-friendly commercial facelifts. Over the years, new systems, glass innovation, and our growing expertise drove a shift towards a broader range of building types. Our most recent projects include a museum, an educational facility, an airport, and a parking structure. Our latest product launch is an award-winning projectable glass rainscreen system that turns the building facade into a monumental video display. More than a protective decorative glass skin, the product has evolved into a key design feature, contributing to the art of the building.

JCCC fritted glass facade

At the JCCC Fine Arts and Design Studio, Bendheim’s customized ventilated glass facade diffuses light, creating a soft glow at night. Photo by Nick Merrick.

According to Said Elieh, VP of Systems & Innovation, the increasing complexity of project designs and objectives constantly drives the team to develop new solutions. “More than 90% of our projects are fully customized, and the majority are design assist. We work collaboratively with the architect to realize the design goals on budget,” said Elieh. “We also coordinate closely with the general contractor and installer. It’s important to create a unique and beautiful facade, but it also has to be easy and fast to build.”

As we celebrate our 20-year milestone, our Exterior team foresees a strong demand for increasingly complex facade geometries and the use of jumbo glass panels. Sustainability will continue to drive other requirements, including bird-friendly glass designs, glare reduction, and photovoltaic integration, among others.

For more information on our glass facade systems, please visit https://bendheim.com/professional/systems/.

Bendheim Launches Virtual Design Consultations from Design Lab

by Leave a Comment

Bendheim's DesignLab

Thousands of samples at Bendheim’s DesignLab help create the tailored solution for any project. Photo by Lillie Fortino Photography.

We have taken our consultative design approach digital, opening our architectural glass DesignLab™ to A&D professionals across North America with the help of video conferencing tools. The benefit to design professionals is a faster and more effective way to direct product development and customization for key projects.

The newly launched virtual design program is the culmination of months of training in live-remote client-led R&D. It uses the entirety of our Design Lab resources – a team of design consultants with decades of specialty glass experience, thousands of physical samples, and large glass displays – to collaborate virtually and meet project-specific aesthetic, functional, budget, and lead-time goals.

“This design approach is much faster and more targeted than browsing thousands of samples on the web or relying on a limited local resource library,” said Steven Jayson, Executive Vice President of Bendheim. “We are happy our Design Lab resources are now available to design professionals across North America – no travel required.”

Architects and designers looking for a bespoke glass solution can initiate the virtual design process through our network of local representatives. Based on initial input, our design consultants pull a selection of samples from thousands of on-hand options. The curated collection is then examined by the architect up-close with the help of high-resolution video. In real time, they can morph samples to develop a new aesthetic, as well as explore installation systems. The customized samples are then fabricated in our New Jersey facility and shipped to the architect.

“This allows us to take the traditional face-to-face interactions designers rely on to the virtual realm, saving them a tremendous amount of time and energy,” added Jayson.

The Design Lab, which powers the new virtual design consultations, opened in 2019 on the top floor of the New York Design Center at 200 Lexington Avenue. To create an all-inclusive glass education and specification resource, we moved in several tons of glass samples and materials. The selection, created with input from our product development and customer-facing teams, represents a comprehensive glass material library with all the physical resources needed for on-the-fly custom design. For more information, please visit https://bendheim.com/professional/design-lab/ and view our 40-second explainer video:

Bendheim’s Channel Glass Installed In High Profile N.Y. Infrastructure Project

by Leave a Comment

More Than 3,000 Square Feet of Channel Glass Highlight
New Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Westchester Landing

 

Bendheim’s channel glass brings privacy, daylight, and elegance to the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Westchester Landing in Tarrytown, N.Y., just outside of New York City. It forms the Pavilion’s canopy and the Welcome Center’s facade.

welcome center glass structure

Westchester Landing is an important development to the highly anticipated infrastructure project, which opened in 2019. Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects of London, it is also the first project in North America to include Bendheim’s channel glass as a canopy. Bendheim supplied 880 square feet of its single-glazed channel glass system for the overhead installation, in tempered-laminated safety form to meet building codes.

channel glass canopy pavilion bendheim

Another 2,220 square feet of the company’s double-glazed, tempered channel glass encloses the Welcome Center. The textured glass, together with insulation inserts and a sandblast treatment, was specified for optimal privacy. The glass transforms the utilitarian restroom structure into a beacon to visitors of the pedestrian park, which spans the length of the bridge. The translucent channel glass facade provides the high level of privacy required, while bringing diffused daylight in. It lends a light-filled, spacious, clean, and desirable appearance to the interior. At night, the glow of the glass turns the entire comfort station into a lantern, drawing visitors to the park.

The bridge features a bicycle and pedestrian path that extends from Tarrytown on the Westchester side, across the Hudson River to the Village of South Nyack on the Rockland County side. The 3.1-mile bridge replaced the 62-year-old Tappan Zee Bridge. It crosses the Hudson at its widest point, and is one of the longest bridges in New York. It is a highly traveled thoroughfare for people entering and exiting Manhattan, which is about 25 miles south of the bridge. The project cost $4 billion.

 

welcome center bendheim glass

Westchester Landing, completed approximately a year after the opening of the bridge, includes a welcome center, electric vehicle charging stations, a bike repair station, and public art. It is frequented by travelers to and from the city, as well as residents of Westchester and Rockland Counties, who can enjoy the biking and walking paths with breathtaking views of the Hudson River.

Bendheim’s channel glass in an innovative alternative to traditional opaque walls in both interior and exterior applications. It offers protection from the elements and privacy, along with glare-free daylight and a sparkling aesthetic. The U-shaped glass channels are self-supporting, standing as tall as 23 feet in a relatively lightweight ¼-inch thickness. The glass requires minimal perimeter framing, creating seamless glass walls that can extend for hundreds of feet. It also provides high thermal and acoustic performance.

HDR Engineering served as the lead engineer on the project, while Craftsman Storefronts & Glass installed the channel glass.