Glass as a key element for comfortable, efficient, vibrant school designs

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["b"],["i"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.guardianglass.com\/us\/en\/insights\/ebook-exploring-design-strategies-for-use-of-glass-in-education-spaces","target","_new"]],["em"]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"The versatility of glass makes it a go-to material for K-12 school design. AIA partner Guardian explores how the latest technologies manage energy, noise, and safety while enhancing aesthetics and boosting the learning environment."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Glass in educational buildings has many functions and is a key element in helping to create spaces that are comfortable, energy efficient, and aesthetically inviting. Designs that welcome natural daylight create a vibrant, less institutional ambience while also reducing reliance on artificial lighting. They also create a connection to outdoor views that can stimulate and soothe students and teachers working inside. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Use of glass in educational buildings is on the rise for a reason. While in the past, school planners felt forced to compromise between the visual appeal of glass and the insulation of brick and mortar, modern glass solutions open up new possibilities. Thanks to steady innovations, glass has never been such a versatile material, offering high-value benefits across campus \u2014 from classrooms to corridors, from cafeterias to gymnasiums. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Here\u2019s a look at how advanced glass can create value across campus."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[0],1,"Manage hot and cold climates"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"While clear and open in appearance, glass walls and windows can provide an important level of protection from heat, cold, and even extreme weather. Low-E glass helps maintain comfortable interiors with efficiency."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In cold climate zones, strategic glazing configurations can improve thermal performance, measured as the U-value rating of the glazing system, to help keep classrooms cozy and maximize light available to students on dreary winter days. In warm climate zones, smart glazing configurations help keep classrooms cool on hot days by improving the solar performance, measured as the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) rating of the glazing system. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[0],1,"Provide safety "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In the face of concerns that range from intruders to natural disasters like tornadoes or hurricanes, it\u2019s important to provide protection without creating a stark, excessively institutional feel. The right glass configurations can deliver on both counts, ensuring critical safeguards while presenting a bright and open atmosphere that is conducive to learning."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Laminated glass maintains high levels of transparency and light transmission while providing a protective layer of security to prevent forced entry, breakage amid high winds or flying debris, or glass fallout."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Heat-treated glass helps guard against breakage from thermal stress, high winds, and other risks. Options here include heat-strengthened glass, which is twice as strong as untreated glass, and fully tempered glass, which is four times stronger than untreated glass. Tempered glass is often used to meet code requirements for safety-rated glass. When broken, it separates into small pieces to reduce risk of injury."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"\n"],[0,[0],1,"Improve acoustics\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Alive with people and activity, education settings can also present plenty of distractions. An overly loud environment can make it difficult to focus, cause auditory exhaustion, and heighten stress levels for students and instructors. With good acoustics design, it\u2019s possible to improve sound levels between exterior and interior, and across the many functions contained in the school building footprint."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Glass choices should be part of a sound acoustics strategy for learning environments. More and thicker panes of glass can reduce sound transmission and improve Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC)\/Sound Transmission Class (STC) sound ratings. Some applications intended to control sound combine glass panes of different thicknesses, such as 6mm (\u00bc\u2033) and 10mm (\u215c\u2033), within a single insulated unit. Laminated glass that features an acoustic grade plastic interlayer can also improve sound control."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[0],1,"Increase well-being and productivity\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A growing number of schools are taking the initiative to manage daylighting due to its many proven benefits. Research shows that exposure to daylight can help regulate students\u2019 circadian rhythms for better sleep which, in turn, is linked to improved mood, concentration, and school attendance."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\nFurther, studies show that by diffusing daylight through halls and classrooms, schools can support student well-being and even see improved test scores. Clear lines of sight can signal openness for a positive and welcoming first impression, help teachers and staff monitor the safety of students, and connect adjacent spaces to make learning a community experience. This includes views of the outdoors \u2014 research shows that access to the outdoors can reduce stress and enhance a child\u2019s cooperation and creativity."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[0],1,"Elevate aesthetic appeal"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Consider the ways a beautiful, well-lit environment can boost mood, energize people, and contribute to a sense of place, pride, and belonging. Light, color, and place-making strategies \u2014 like drawing attention to an attractive library, athletic facility, or performing arts center \u2014 all have a part to play in the aesthetic experience. Student and staff privacy should also be considered."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Options include spandrel glass, an opaque glass applied in most school buildings to conceal components like columns, floor slabs, HVAC systems, wiring, or plumbing. It can be used to blend in with the vision glass or create a pleasing contrast for a banded effect. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Acid-etched glass is a translucent glass option that can enhance the aesthetic of a school\u2019s exterior fa\u00e7ade and increase privacy while still allowing ample light transmission. It\u2019s widely used in schools, especially in areas like locker rooms and restrooms that call for increased privacy. Acid-etched glass is often applied to diffuse light for gentle sun exposure in spaces like libraries. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Colored laminate glass, like other laminate glass, provides safety, security, and acoustic benefits. In addition, the extraordinary spectrum of hues available for the plastic interlayer creates an opportunity to introduce vibrant pops of color that appeal to student curiosity or build school spirit."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Fritted glass is specially fabricated to add visual interest and functionality. Ceramic frit can be applied to the glass through silk screening, or digital printing techniques can apply frit in a spectrum"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"of colors, patterns, and customized designs, such as a school emblem. Fritted glass can call attention to a special feature like a visual arts wing, lab, or studio. Lighter frit colors can be used to reduce glare in classrooms and spaces devoted to digital media."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[0],1,"Save energy\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"According to the U.S. Department of Energy, K-12 schools spend more than $6 billion a year on energy, and at least a quarter of that could be saved through smarter energy management."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Efficient daylight harvesting is important to reaching these goals, and low-E coated glass"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"offers ways to do this well. Low-E coated glass helps illuminate spaces naturally while"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"selectively reflecting, transmitting, and absorbing solar energy. Considering local climate and how the building will be used, an architect can select one or more low-E coatings to optimize natural daylight, manage heat transfer, limit glare, and achieve the desired look. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[0],1,"Choosing glass to elevate the learning experience"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Trends are clear \u2014 glass is becoming more prominent in the design of leading learning environments because of the many benefits it can bring, from student well-being and success to safety and security. Innovations in recent decades have expanded the possibilities even further to spark new inspiration and growth."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],0,"For more on glass in schools, download the e-book "],[0,[2],1,"\u201cExploring design strategies for use of glass in education spaces\u201d"],[0,[],1," from Guardian Glass. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[3],1,"AIA does not sponsor or endorse any enterprise, whether \npublic or private, operated for profit. Further, no AIA officer, \ndirector, committee member, or employee, or any of its component \norganizations in his or her official capacity, is permitted to approve, \nsponsor, endorse, or do anything that may be deemed or construed to be \nan approval, sponsorship, or endorsement of any material of construction\n or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in\n any material or product."]]]]}