News

We had 3 (yes, three!) new colleagues starting this September, welcome Kiran, Geoff and Sahar. That is the main news in the life of our office. Accordingly, we bought 4 new desks and computers. We also bought some exciting new software, and hopefully master the use of it on the webinar tomorrow.

Projects are going well. We have deadlines in October on various phases of Fountain Views: retail podium, 2 towers, 1 more tower. The high-rise towers should use the same glass product. Currently our office is filled with glass samples. We have initially identified 25 possible products, with performance data matching our target specifications. Some were selected from catalogs, some additionally suggested by glass suppliers. Then we had an indoor-outdoor glass pre-selection event in our office, attended by the architects, and some of them got short listed. These samples will be included in the specifications as target color and performance samples. When the contractor is on board, larger samples and further matching options will be looked at to finalize the glass selection.

Talking about glazing performance, let me emphasize again that a good shading coefficient is much more important on hot climate than good U-value. Actually, a standard IGU U-value of 1.6-1.8 is good enough. As for shading coefficient, for the residential function of Fountain Views, we are aiming 0.30. For an office function, especially if people may be seated near the glass, we would specify lower, say 0.24. An other important aspect of residential glazing is the indoor reflectance, the lower it is, the more likely that the tenants can enjoy the view through the windows during dinner rather than staring at their own mirrored image.

We also submitted preliminary Facade and BMU concept studies for our Canadian project: 3 high-rise towers in Calgary. This project is totally in cold climate, and our considerations for glass selection will have very different basis. As well as the basis for detailing, waterproofing, dealing with thermal bridges, selecting materials and facade systems will be different. For example, for long months every year, it will not be possible to apply structural sealant on site when replacing glass, as temperature is too low. Or, moisture may migrate in as snow melts. And for sure, U-values of glazing need to be reduced, to help saving energy in the winter months.