When global architectural firm HKS met with ProMedica to discuss the regional health system’s plans to consolidate 11 physician practices into its new Health and Wellness Center in Sylvania, Ohio, the medical provider made its expectations clear: the building needed to foster connectivity, flexibility and a sense of place within the community. Solarban® 72 solar control low-e glass by Vitro Glass, featuring an ultra-transparent Starphire® glass substrate, was integral to achieving that mandate.
HKS and a multidisciplinary team from ProMedica mapped out existing processes and defined a future operational mode in which more effective and collaborative care could be delivered. The result is a state-of-the-art, three-story, 230,000-square-foot structure. With 23 interconnected standard clinic modules, the center is designed for ease of movement for patients, staff and supplies. It also delivers the personal environment the ProMedica team desired, along with the flexibility to expand and contract to meet evolving space demands.
To enhance the sense of connection and complement its open concept design, HKS created two exposed-to-the-elements courtyards and a glass atrium that flood the gallery space with natural light and provide visual access to the outdoor environment. The firm chose Solarban® 72 solar control low-e glass specifically to maximize the effects of that natural light and to provide a calm, healing aesthetic to patients.
Doug Dewar of glass fabricator Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope’s (OBE) Perrysburg, Ohio, location said Vitro Glass easily accommodated the above-average amount of glass needed for the job—more than 60,000 square feet—and credits the Vitro Concierge Program™ for keeping the project on track. “Everything went smoothly. The glass sizes were requested in phases, and once we called Vitro with an order, the glass would be on our floor virtually on a just-in-time basis,” Dewar explained.
“The Vitro Concierge Program gave us the flexibility to bring in the glass when we needed it. Knowing that the glass was readily available helped us schedule our manufacturing and service our customer in a timely fashion,” added Dewar, who works at OBE’s Perrysburg, Ohio, location.
Solarban 72 glass provides higher levels of transparency than Solarban 70XL glass without sacrificing solar control performance. With a triple-silver coating that is engineered for use on Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass, Solarban 72 glass has visible light transmittance of 71 percent in a standard 1-inch insulating glass unit, which is 11 percent higher than Solarban 70XL glass.
The ProMedica Health and Wellness Center, which opened in 2016, received an honorable mention in the 2016 Healthcare Design Showcase.
To learn more about Solarban 72 glass, Starphire glass and other high-performance glass products by Vitro Glass, visit www.vitroglazings.com.
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Jan 27, 2015
High-performance insulation brings design freedom, energy efficiency to urban redevelopment project
When developers of Uptown Bay City (Bay City, Mich.) began transforming the former industrial site into a mixed-use, self-sustaining riverfront community, they faced a design challenge. How could they incorporate greater expanses of glass to maximize views of the waterfront without the trade-off in energy efficiency?
Sponsored | | Dec 30, 2014
First-class glass: Designing for fire safety in schools
As more students enter the school system each year, designing for fire safety in educational facilities has never been more critical. Fire-rated glazing can be a key part of the solution.
Sponsored | | Dec 11, 2014
Fire rated glass contributes to Salt Lake City Public Safety Building’s sustainable and resilient design goals
One of the most exciting new buildings to open its doors this year is the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building Salt Lake City, Utah. This $125 million, 335,000-sf facility blends sustainability and resiliency under one roof. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | Fire-Rated Products | Dec 11, 2014
Fire rated glazing provides visual appeal and safety to garages
When it comes to designing parking garages, providing vision and transparency might not be the priority due to fire rated code requirements – but keen architects with grand visions see opportunities rather than restrictions, thanks to the advances in fire rated glass and framing technology.
Sponsored | | Nov 19, 2014
Fire resistive, blast-resistant glazing: Where security, safety, and transparency converge
Security, safety and transparency don’t have to be mutually exclusive thanks to new glazing technology designed to support blast and fire-resistant secure buildings. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | Oct 19, 2014
Innovation inspires and delivers new fire rated glass and framing products
Innovation is the engine of business success. Whether it’s the development of a brand-new product, a more efficient process or a novel way of serving customers, innovation helps distinguish a company from its competitors. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | Oct 16, 2014
Mill Brook Elementary School colors outside the lines with creative fire-rated framing solution
Among the building elements contributing to the success of the elementary school’s public learning areas is a fire-rated stairwell that supports the school’s vision for collaboration. HMFH Architects designed the stairwell to be bright and open, reflecting the playful energy of students. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Oct 13, 2014
SAFTI FIRST introduces the largest fire resistive multilam, fire resistive butt-glazed assemblies, new fire resistive aluminum framing, and fire resistive curved glass make-ups
SAFTI FIRST, leading USA-manufacturer of advanced fire rated glass and framing systems, recently debuted new products at the GlassBuild Show in Las Vegas and the CSI Construct Show in Baltimore.
| Oct 2, 2014
Effective use of building enclosure mock-ups within the commissioning process
Engineers from SSR offer advice and guidelines on implementing building enclosure mockups on any project.
