GlassCon Global Drives Innovation in Glass Technology

With more than 100 different speakers, attendees learned about current and future innovative trends and products in the glass industry.“From the beginning, the mission of GlassCon Global has always ultimately been to drive innovation in glass technology and have a powerful, positive impact on our industry,” said Ed Zaucha, CEO of APG International and President of GlassCon Global. “Mission accomplished.”GlassCon kicked off with remarks from dignitaries including: Ed Zaucha, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, President Thomas Jefferson and FCA International Chairman Mike Cassidy.After the opening remarks, the Transatlantic Debate began. Moderated by Nick Beaumont, editor of Intelligent Glass Solutions, the debate featured panelists Keith Boswell (SOM Architects), Charles Blomberg (Rafael Viñoly Architects), Graham Dodd (Arup), Werner Jager (ai3) and James O’Callaghan (Eckersley O’Callaghan) who provided overviews of some of their more innovative projects and discussed the industry and its future before going into a Q&A session. Innovation was a key topic discussed, with each of the panelists weighing in on how the glass industry can foster new innovations.

“The point about innovation is that nobody knows what you need to innovate next,” said Graham Dodd. “There’s a good environment for innovation today.

Following the debate, GlassCon attendees split off into the first of many of the conference’s educational tracks. Tracks on Cooperative Research, Architectural Glass Applications and Case Studies, Recent Trends in Insulating Glass, and Young Researchers featured 27 different speakers providing a wide array of technical information. Presentations included a discussion on Vacuum Glass and its future by the inventor of the technology, Jack Tang; a look into a regenerative concept for a 100-year insulated glass unit by Mic Patterson; a detailed analysis into micromachined tunable micro mirror arrays for active light steering in smart windows by Hartmut Hillmer and much more.

GlassCon’s second day kicked off with a full morning and afternoon of educational tracks, which featured 36 different speakers. Tuesday’s tracks covered Glass Coatings, Energy Performance of Buildings Influenced by Glass, Engineering with Structural Glass, Laminated Glass and Adhesives, Safety of Glass, Design with Curved Glass, Glass Testing and Specialties in Structural Glass. Among the presenters included Jan Wurm, who presented on the SolarLeaf Bio-Responsive Façade for the first time in the U.S. Other presentations included a discussion on Blast Mitigating Design of Glazing that was led by Eve Hinman; a look into ways to extend the performance and design of laminated glass by Robin Czyewicz; and a detailed look into the global demand for fenestration fire safety provided by Helmut Hohenstein.

Following the educational tracks, the educational portion of day two concluded with an Architect’s Dream List Panel. Panelists Christoph Timm (SOM Architects), Winfried Heusler (Schüco International KG), Michel Michno (Enclos) and Graham Dodd (Arup) discussed design ideas and innovations that they envisioned would advance the glass industry. The panelists challenged the industry to push the limits of current practices and manufacturing processes and adapt to create innovation in glass technology. Sustainable Buildings were among the key topics discussed.

“I have only one dream – let’s work together,” said Winfried Heusler. “Let’s start a fruitful discussion on sustainable buildings.”

GlassCon’s third and final day kicked off with a round of educational tracks on Energy Performance of Buildings Influenced by Glass, Façade Performance and Trends and Designing with Glass that saw 12 speakers wrap up the educational track portion of the conference. Douglas Carney, the Senior Vice President for Facilities, Real Estate and Capital Program of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) discussed CHoP’s water intrusion task force, which is its institutional response to leaks. James O’Callaghan also provided an overview and look into the future of the evolution of structural glass. Following the day’s educational tracks, Charlie Zimmer, Global Program Manager of High Performance Insulation at Dow Corning, discussed the future of the glazing industry.

“Design and performance – that’s what the future of the glazing industry is all about,” Mr. Zimmer said. Following Mr. Zimmer’s remarks, Ellen Rogers, Editor of US Glass Magazine, served as moderator on a Façade Consultants panel that featured Gordon Smith (Gordon H. Smith Corporation), Richard Green (Front, Inc.) and Areta Pawlynsky (Heintges & Associates). The panelists utilized their vast, collective insight to discuss the industry’s future, including the need for continuing education.

“The [glazing] industry needs to go out into schools and teach technology in glass & metal to students,” said Gordon Smith.

GlassCon Global wrapped up the conference with an impressions panel moderated by Ellen Rogers. The panelists: Cheryl Smith (Cope Linder Architects), James Carpenter (James Carpenter Design Associates), Charles Blomberg (Rafael Viñoly Architects), Doug Carney (CHoP) and Jeff Haber discussed the value of the GlassCon Global conference, the impact it will have on the industry and the importance of collaborating as we move into the future.

“We have to keep clear on why we’re innovating…Innovation is always going to be part of what we’re doing,” Richard Green said.

Networking opportunities were provided throughout the entire conference with networking breaks and lunches between tracks, and evening events at the Kimmel Center, the National Constitution Center and the Academy of Natural Sciences. Attendees got an excellent slice of what Philadelphia has to offer while building relationships that will help strengthen the glass industry.

GlassCon Global Sponsors

GlassCon Global would not have been a success without the support of its sponsors. Platinum Sponsors included: Dow Corning, McGrory Glass, the Painters & Allied Trades LMCI and Tecnoglass. APG International agreed to be a gold sponsor, and Eureka Metal & Glass and DuPont Sentry Glas were bronze sponsors. In addition, Akzo Nobel, Quanex, Sage Glass and W&W Glass, LLC also partnered with the conference. Finally, the support of GlassCon’s exhibitors helped push the conference over the top. Exhibitors included: APG International, Distraction Graphics, Dow Corning, DuPont Sentry Glas , GlasStress Ltd., JEBerkowitz, LP., McGrory Glass, Protection Engineering Consultants, Quanex and Spectrum Metal Finishing, Inc. These companies understood the importance of innovation in glass technology and recognized the value GlassCon Global would provide to the industry and were critical to the event’s success.

About FCA International

FCA International represents the largest community of finishing contractors in North America. It is dedicated to educating, advocating and legislating on behalf of its membership, which is comprised of contractors engaged in architectural glass and metal, drywall finishing, floor covering, industrial coating, painting and wallcovering and sign work. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Jeremy Fitch at (630) 537-1042 or by email at jfitch@finishingcontractors.org.