Nov 19 2015
SageGlass®, the world’s smartest electrochromic glass, will be installed in the new Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing at Bowie State University. The state-of-the-art, sustainable academic Center will feature 25,000 square feet of electronically tintable SageGlass, a product of Saint-Gobain, on portions of the curtain wall façade and throughout the “The Icon,” a three-story multipurpose space.
SageGlass will dynamically control sunlight to provide students and faculty with a comfortable learning environment and unobstructed views of the outdoors. The project is aiming to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
SageGlass announced this project at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the world’s largest conference dedicated to green building and sustainability, taking place in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18-20, 2015.
The 150,000-square-foot Center will feature flexible classrooms, innovative research and instructional laboratories, as well as multi-purpose space. SageGlass will be installed in numerous exterior classrooms and The Icon to control sunlight to optimize daylight, outdoor views and comfort while preventing glare, fading and overheating. The result will be a more comfortable learning space that is conducive to cognitive thinking thanks to unobstructed outdoor views. The dynamic glass tints on-demand, allowing faculty to customize solar control in each classroom. SageGlass also tints automatically via light sensors. By blocking sunlight on hot days, SageGlass dramatically reduces energy demand and will help the project achieve LEED Gold certification.
“Building a state-of-the-art learning and research facility for our science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and nursing programs required the incorporation of the most innovative building materials available today. SageGlass will provide our students with a superior learning environment, and at the same time it will help reduce energy costs for the University,” said Dr. Karl Brockenbrough, Vice President for Administration and Finance at Bowie State University. “Upon completion, the iconic new Center will be a focal point on our campus. It will elevate our STEM and nursing programs and help attract new students to Bowie State University for years to come.”
By providing superior solar control, SageGlass eliminates the need for cumbersome blinds or shades throughout the building. According to Paul Harney, Senior Project Architect and Associate Principal at Perkins + Will, “Our goal was to create a facility for teaching and learning that maintained a strong connection to the outdoors and also served as an innovative showpiece for the University. SageGlass enabled us to achieve our goal without compromising classroom views or the aesthetics of The Icon.”
“Higher education institutions are increasingly building new facilities that benefit the learning experience for students, above all else. We’re thrilled SageGlass will be included throughout the new Center at Bowie State University,” said Alan McLenaghan, CEO of SageGlass. “We strongly believe that a daylit, comfortable classroom is essential for maximizing student potential. SageGlass is the connector between the built and natural environments.”
Bowie State University is completing the project in partnership with the University of Maryland Service Center, Perkins + Will and Clark Construction. The Center is expected to be completed in spring 2017.
Editor’s Note: Renderings of the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing are available upon request to [email protected].
Source: http://sageglass.com/