Date: 25 April 2013
Army Corps of Engineers Building uses one-fifth the amount of energy used by a standard office building. To enable the HVAC systems to perform at an optimal capacity within the project budget, an efficient building envelope – using high performance glass offering a high level of solar control while transmitting ample daylight – was necessary to reduce the magnitude of heating and cooling demand.
ZGF specified Guardian Industries SunGuard SuperNeutral 62 for the advanced, energy-efficient curtain wall system. The design permits natural light penetration at levels that allow the building’s lights to be off during daylight hours 61 percent of the time.
It was critical for the exterior glazing to meet the standards of the building’s aggressive, award-winning sustainable systems. Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 62, part of the SunGuard advanced architectural glass portfolio, demonstrates the extensive daylighting performance that reaches 90 percent of the building. A visible light transmission of 61 percent combined with a low solar heat gain coefficient of .31 assures a comfortable environment and helps reduce electric lighting and HVAC loads. A ceramic frit ranging from 60 to 80 percent coverage was used in the clerestory and skylight units to control glare and heat gain. To meet the project’s blast and safety requirements, the inboard lite of all the insulating glass units was laminated.
The glass was fabricated by Guardian Select Fabricator Northwestern Industries. The glazier on the project was Walters and Wolf.
An example of the building team’s commitment to maximizing sustainability for Federal Center South: They chose to go beyond the U.S. General Services Administration project requirement of LEED Gold certification, working to achieve LEED Platinum for the $65 million, three-story, 209,000-sq.-ft. building. That conscientious planning and execution has already resulted in several honors:
- Best in State, 2013 Silver Award, Engineering Excellence Awards, ACEC Washington
- Honor Award – First Place for High-Performance Buildings, 2012 Beyond Green High-Performance Building Award, Sustainable Buildings Industry Council
- Honorable Mention, 2012 What Makes It Green Award, AIA Seattle Chapter
The COTE Top Ten Green Projects program celebrates structures that use a thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology to provide architectural solutions that protect and enhance the environment.
Guardian’s SunGuard product line includes low-E coatings and advanced glazings for commercial applications that offer excellent solar control, and a wide variety of colors and performance levels for projects like Federal Center South. SunGuard products provide innovative, leading solutions for appearance, economics and energy efficiency, and are available through an international network of Guardian certified Select Fabricators.
For more information, visit www.sunguardglass.com.
Guardian SunGuard and other innovative glass products and solutions will be on display in Guardian’s Booth #1916 at the AIA National Convention, June 20-22 in Denver.
About Guardian Industries Corp.:
Guardian is a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for commercial, residential and automotive applications. Its automotive trim group, SRG Global Inc., is one of the world’s largest suppliers of advanced, high value coatings on plastics. Through its Science & Technology Center, Guardian is at the forefront of innovation including development of high performance glass coatings and other advanced products. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 18,000 people and operate facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.guardian.com.
SunGuard and SuperNeutral are registered trademarks of Guardian Industries Corp.
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