Masonry Magazine June 1979 Page. 9
More About Pittsburgh Corning's
Solar Reflective Glass Block
Solar Reflective Glass Block, manufactured by Pittsburgh Corning Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., is a new architectural material designed to help reduce solar heat gain and air conditioning operation costs.
The new product's thermally bonded, highly reflective oxide surface coating helps to reduce transmitted light and lower initial air conditioning costs. Using the same installation procedures as those for standard Pittsburgh Corning glass block, Solar Reflective Glass Block is suitable for use in nearly any commercial, institutional, industrial or residential building construction project.
Available in 8" x 8" and 12" x 12" sizes, the new product consists of two sections of pressed glass fused together at elevated temperatures. Prior to sealing the two glass halves, a reflective coating is applied to one or both faces of the glass block. The resulting hollow, partially evacuated, all-glass building unit combines the advantages of glass and masonry with a heat and light control surface coating.
Because the solar reflective surface coating reduces transmitted light, there is no need for blinds or curtains. Rooms are comfortably bright, while the mirror-like reflection of natural light on the exterior assures privacy.
The combination of glass block and masonry construction also provides building occupants with excellent isolation from the sounds but not the sights of the outside environment. Since each block is a rugged structural unit, together they form the equivalent of a brick wall you can see through.
Ease of installation and thermal efficiency also are built-in features. Because window openings are eliminated, a mason contractor can construct an airtight wall in a single, simple operation.
A dramatic example of the functional aspects and design esthetics of Solar Reflective Glass Block can be found in the new Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Art School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, 1979 winner of the Masonry Institute of Houston/Galveston's Nicholas Clayton Award.
Designed by the Houston architectural firm of S. I. Morris Associates, the specifications called for a building material with good insulating qualities and no costly finishing. The architects also preferred small glass block units to construct the school's walls. They found that Pittsburgh Corning's Solar Reflective Glass Block met their design requirements.
According to S. I. Morris Associates, the most important consideration in specifying Solar Reflective Glass Block was its energy-saving qualities. "The product works fantastically." says Eugene Aubry, partner in the firm. "In fact, our people found that Pittsburgh Corning engineers were too conservative in estimating the product's energy-saving capability."
The architects also found that the material's highly reflective, oxide surface coating reduced solar heat gain and cut air conditioning load. The product additionally satisfied esthetic demands for the project. "Reaction to the school's appearance has been just amazing." Aubry says. "The building displays a substantially changing character from day to night."
Walls of 8" x 8" Solar Reflective Glass Block form the school's 12-foot high complete wall system for each floor. In addition, 174 prefabricated panels, each containing twenty-five 12" x 12" ribbed-faced block with fiberglass screens, comprise the translucent vault over the school's 150-foot-long central gallery. "It has no supports," points out Nolen Willis, another S. I. Morris partner, "except for the structural frame built into the joints between the panels."
T. H. McGregor of McGregor Construction Co., project general and mason contractor, adds that the masons working on the building needed no special techniques to install Solar Reflective Glass Block. "Prefabricating some of the walls saved time and money." he says. "We even eliminated falsework supports to construct the gallery vault."
Colonial Park Recreation Center, West University Place, Houston.
Sarah Vickers Chancellor Elementary School, Alief, Texas.
Another view of this building appears on this month's cover.
John Sealy Hospital South Addition, Galveston, Texas.