Thanks to innovative design and the use of Solarban® 70XL glass by Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass), the architects for Bob Evans Farms’ corporate headquarters were able to incorporate those features and more into a modern structure that venerates the company’s rural heritage.
Located on a 40-acre site just outside Columbus, Bob Evans Farms’ headquarters is a three-building campus that houses offices, a test kitchen, training facility, warehouse, shipping center and carryout restaurant. For architect Lori Bongiorno, who led the design team at M+A Architects, a major goal was to connect the building’s architecture to the power of the brand while achieving one of the most rigorous milestones for sustainable design: LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification at the Gold level from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The choice of simple building materials salutes the company’s past while fulfilling the demand for collaborative workspaces. Insulated glass units fabricated with Solarban® 70XL glass enables sunlight to flood offices and meeting areas while controlling solar heat gain. As a result, the 138,000-square-foot building uses less power for lighting and temperature control than comparably sized buildings. Energy savings are supplemented by highly efficient LED interior lighting, rooftop solar panels, light-amplifying skylights—also fabricated from Solarban® 70XL glass—and a customized sunshade system.
Bongiorno said the use of Vitro glass was a calculated decision. “We needed high-performance glass due to the large expanse of windows. Our mechanical engineer recommended Solarban® 70XL glass to help achieve our goals for the energy model while still maintaining large amounts of glass to maximize natural light transmission. It also has the appearance of clear glass, which was desired from an aesthetic standpoint.”
Based on Vitro’s proprietary triple-silver coating technology, Solarban® 70XL glass transmits 64 percent of available sunlight and blocks nearly 75 percent of the sun’s heat energy in a standard 1-inch insulated glass unit. The resulting 2.37 light-to-solar-gain (LSG) ratio makes it one of the highest-performing architectural glass products available—outperformed only by Solarban® 90 glass, Vitro’s latest evolution in solar control, low-emissivity (low-e) glass.
Now home to more than 500 employees, the Bob Evans Farms headquarters met its LEED certification goal while honoring the company’s history. “From the very first meeting with Bob Evans, our mission was to create an interactive, educational experience that celebrates farming, family, philanthropy, nutrition and the environment,” Bongiorno added.
For half a century, architects have relied on the continuously expanding line of high-performance Solarban® glass products to keep occupants comfortable and realize ambitious design visions. In addition, Solarban® glass products feature some of the industry’s highest LSG ratios and can be combined with Starphire Ultra-Clear™ glass and a wide array of tinted glasses by Vitro Glass for even better performance and aesthetic effects.
Learn more about Solarban® glass at vitroglazings.com/solarban.
Related Stories
Glass and Glazing | Aug 24, 2021
Smart glass innovations for smarter buildings
Researchers explore the use of ultrathin photodetectors and augmented reality thin films to expand smart building applications.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 2, 2020
Top Glass and Glazing Products for 2020
Viracon's Thermal Spacer and YKK's YWW 50 TU Thermally Broken Window Wall are among the 7 new glass and glazing products to make Building Design + Construction's 2020 75 Top Products report.
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Nov 12, 2020
Fire Rated Glass Makes Visual Connectivity Possible, Beautiful and Affordable at Campus Housing
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Oct 20, 2020
Retaining Fallingwater’s Iconic Connection Between Indoors & Outdoors
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Sep 29, 2020
Glass helps Calgary Central Library convey collective and community
Glass and Glazing | Sep 14, 2020
Is there really a glass box paradox?
Buildings are places which should promote the health, welfare and productivity of the people who work and live in them.
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Jul 16, 2020
Obsolete?
"Revolutional, affordable, USA made Fire Rated Glazing for all fire protective areas makes ceramic glazing obsolete". Check out SuperClear 45-HS and SuperClear 45-HS-LI to understand why!
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Jul 14, 2020
Glass catalyzes transparency, connectivity and identity at University of Kansas Medical Center
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Jun 9, 2020
Glass provides patients with clear, scenic views to create a healing, relaxing environment
Jacobs Medical Center is distinguished by a gleaming, point-fixed structural glass façade.
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | May 26, 2020
Amazon’s Spheres blend extraordinary forms, conservatory function
The Spheres—the crown jewel of Amazon’s Seattle campus—went beyond the bounds of typical planning to achieve a stunning glass dome triumvirate. SPONSORED CONTENT