Tick, who designed a collection of glass for Skyline Design, began by taking the audience through her artistic approach to developing decorative glass. When developing the collection for Skyline, she said, at one point she was in Seattle, where there are numerous showcases of decorative glass. Clarity, she said, seemed to be a predominant theme in many displays.

Another inspiration, she said, was the icon for Apple products.

“It’s all about the look of technology in glass and that was also inspiring,” Tick said, explaining that she found herself going back and forth between a technological and organic approach to the design.

She said she also found inspiration through many of her travels, which took her to India, Japan and the Middle East.

“You can tap into inspiration from anywhere and not be afraid to apply it to a material [such as glass],” she said.

Leonard spoke next and talked about some of the considerations architects and designers should take when working with decorative glass. For starters, he stressed the importance of staying within budget.

“Once the project is designed and developed, does it fit within budget?” asked Leonard. “Next, you have to address its availability [i.e., does it have to be imported or is it readily available here] and does it meet the job schedule? All of this has to be addressed once you pick out the product.”

Whether the application will require safety glazing also needs to be considered.

“Some decorative glass products cannot be tempered or laminated,” said Leonard. “This means they can only be used in places where safety glass is not required.”

He also pointed out that when such products are used, the required safety glazing label can be a hindrance to the design, particularly when the glass is used in small quantities.

“When you do use [decorative] safety glass, get verification in writing from the manufacturer so you don’t have to have the labels on the glass,” he advised.

Other considerations when designing with decorative glass can include the type of system in which it’s going to be installed. Leonard pointed out that, depending on the height of the glass, certain sizes or thicknesses may be required.

“We’re a big promoter of glass,” he added. “We’re proud of the projects we’ve been involved with over the years and we have a good handle on what’s needed to do the job.”

Rizzo spoke last, and talked about the history of glass and also environmental attributes of glass.

In looking at the history of glass, he showed project examples–some of which were thousands of years old–to show how durable glass is. He also talked about the technologies that were developed to manufacture glass (i.e., the float glass process).

In looking at the environmental features, Rizzo noted, “Glass is inherently green.”

He explained that it can be used in architecture in many applications; allows for easy space planning and changes; and provides daylight, which helps make people feel good.

Likewise, he added that glass products can also help a project earn LEED points. Some of the environmental features that glass can offer a project include the fact that it can be energy-efficient and durable; once it’s installed it stays in for the length of the building’s lifespan, “which reduces the need for landfills,” Rizzo said.

“Few can imagine a world without glass; it’s ubiquitous,” Rizzo said. “As architects and designers [you have a] decision to supply aesthetic beauty as well as function and financial feasibility, but also to the environment. Make sure the materials you use are recyclable and can be re-used.”

He added, “We believe in the relationship between the glass craftspeople and the design community. We can help you with your concerns and we can help you through the process.”

The Hot Glass Infusion Weekend happens from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at GRT Hot Glass Studios, 6400 Brookville Road, Indianapolis.

CLICK HERE to read more.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Northwest artists will display glass work, stone vessels, candles, lamps, fine jewelry, metal work, paintings, paper flowers, boxes and walking sticks, among other creations.

CLICK HERE to read more about the event.

Digital printing technologies that create imagery on glass were the big push for several of the glass companies. These new technologies give architects and designers the ability to put any image at all right onto glass.

Howard Houseapple, the national accounts manager for Arch Deco Glass, said his company was getting a lot of questions, feedback and interest in their Visual^TM printed glass. Arch Deco was promoting how decorative glass is not just for commercial applications, but residential, too.

Arch Deco Glass

“In homes you can use it in bars, countertops backsplashes … we’re showing that there are many different options,” said Houseapple.

J.E. Berkowitz, a licensed fabricator of DuPont’s SentryGlas® Expressions^TM decorative interlayer technology, promoted the combination of SentryGlas Expressions with Starphire glass because of “the crisp color combination in which it results,” explained Mike Nicklas, architectural sales and marketing manager.

J.E. Berkowitz LLP

“Designers are looking for ways to create unique applications and to create a different feeling [to the look of] the office environment. This is a product that can help them do that,” Nicklas added.

Some companies also featured their digital, direct-to-glass printing technologies. General Glass International recently introduced Alice^TM, which prints custom, multi-colored designs right onto the glass. The company’s Steven Brenner said the response to the new product had been tremendous and everyone was excited to see the possibilities that could be created with the new technology.

Likewise, DSG Custom Glass also displayed its digital, direct-to-glass printing technology. While the company is somewhat new to architectural glass, it is a long-time provider of glass used in the marine industry. Colin Thom explained that they purchased the digital printing equipment to print the boarder on marine windows. However, when they realized that there was so much more they could do with the equipment they decided to move into the architectural market.

“Exhibiting at NeoCon has been a good experience and so far we have seen significant interest in our digitally printed glass,” said Thom.

But imagery was not the only glass trend at the show. Color selection was also popular among the attendees.

With its C3 color system, 3Form allows designers to mix and match various color options so they cane create their

3Form

own color scheme. They can, for example, match the color of a conference room table to the color of the walls.

“We have 30 standard colors and glass is our fastest growing segment, which we’ve only been working with for about a year,” said Azar McMasters. “We want to help the designer pick the right material for the given application. With our products we also offer different materials and patterns that can be incorporated into the glass.”

Gardner Glass, which was recognized with a Best of NeoCon Gold award in the surfacing materials category, exhibited its Dreamwalls back-painted color glass. Mark Melvin, product manager, said designers expressed interest because of the product’s versatility and smooth appearance.

“Our product is also heat-treated and we can produce it in sizes as large as 96 by 144 inches,” Melvin added.

Skyline Design

Skyline Design was also recognized with the Best of NeoCon Architectural Products Award. The company showcased its new Botanica^TM line, which was designed specifically for the healthcare industry. Inspired by nature, the collection was created in collaboration with three photographers and includes exclusive images from each, as well as glass options for scale, color and transparency.

In addition, Skyline Design debuted its SkylineSelect^TM collection that features 12 affordably priced patterns from its Premiere Lines.

B.J. Katz, founder of Meltdown Glass, also exhibited, showcasing her company’s cast glass options that include color, texture, patterns and a variety of other features and details.

Next year’s NeoCon is scheduled to take place June 14-16 at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. NeoCon East will take place October 28-29 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

In addition to the trade show, NeoCon offers a conference schedule that includes more than 150 CEU-accredited seminars and industry association forums. A number of keynote presentations are also planned for the event. On June 15, bestselling author of A Whole New Mind, Daniel Pink, will explore the science of human motivation and explain how to create a culture that allows creativity with his keynote address “Creativity, Motivation and You.” On June 16 Paola Antonelli, curator in the Architecture and Design department at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, will focus on how designers have the ability to grasp momentous changes in technology with her keynote address “The Future of Design.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair.

· 3 Form;
· Arch Deco Glass;
· Cardinal Shower Enclosures;
· Carolina Mirror;
· GRT Glass Design;
· Hirsch Glass; and
· Jancik Arts.

The HD Expo is in association with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA); International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ); American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and NEWH Inc.-The Hospitality Industry Network.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the event.

General Glass International was promoting its new direct-to-glass digitally printing capabilities. Brand-named Alice, Richard Balik, vice president of sales, said they had seen a lot of interest in the product.

“Architects are excited about all of the applications in which this can be used,” Balik said. “The process involves ink-jet printing a permanent ceramic frit image onto glass, which will not fade. It’s also possible to print large formats onto glass.”

Oldcastle Glass® also introduced its digital printed glass, i-Glass^TM. The process also involves printing the images directly onto glass. The company says it can even replicate the look of wood or marble.

Acid-etched products were also well represented during the show. For Walker Glass its patterned acid-etched glass and mirrors were a key focus. The company, which began as a mirror producer, has expanded to offer acid-etched clear glass and mirror.

Likewise, Guardian Industries introduced SunGuard SatinDeco glass, which combines the energy-saving properties of SunGuard architectural glass with the acid-etched quality and aesthetics of SatinDeco.

“Architects and designers have been interested in SatinDeco because it does not diminish the light transmitted but rather diffuses or softens it,” said Chris Dolan, director, commercial glass program, for Guardian Industries. “This allows higher light transmission without glare in interior space. Architects also like the flexibility to use SatinDeco in vision or spandrel applications in combination with SunGuard coatings.”

Cardinal Shower Enclosures/Hoskin & Muir Inc., which does its own fabrication, including cast glass production, has expanded its operations beyond just shower doors. The company now offers a variety of decorative products, such as countertops and room dividers. Mikel Kinser, vice president, says that because they fabricate all of their glass it allows them a way to have complete control over the quality of their products.

Likewise, Goldray displayed an array of decorative options, from printed glass for walls and partitions; products for floors and stairs; and even its new marker boards, which Cathie Saroka, marketing director, said got tremendous feedback from attendees.

Other companies, including Meltdown Glass and Gordon Huether Studios brought more of an artistic approach to their architectural decorative glasswork.

CLICK HERE  and HERE to watch video coverage of the AIA Show.

Goldray Industries: Magic Marker (Boards) and More
The growing use of decorative glass has led to a diverse offering of products and Goldray Industries Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta and Goldray USA in Brooklyn, N.Y., will display different ways architectural decorative glass can be used as a solid surface building material.

Glass marker boards are one of the company’s newest developments. The boards are made using an opaque coating or interlayer applied to an unexposed surface of glass, resulting in an easy to clean, writable surface. The marker boards are available in standard or magnetic, with either polished or framed edges; they are available in virtually any color or custom artwork.

J.E. Berkowitz: Glass that’s “Expressive”
JE Berkowitz LP (JEB) of Pedricktown, N.J., will feature decorative glass products that can be used to create eye-catching architectural applications.

SentryGlas® Expressions^TM, a decorative, laminated safety glass, is the company’s newest product. The technology uses a proprietary process developed by DuPont that prints directly onto the PVB interlayer. This enables photo imagery, textures, patterns, company logos and more to be incorporated into a wide range of architectural laminated glass applications such as entry doors, glass interiors, overhead glazing, balustrades, advertising and signage. The product meets all ANSI Z97 specifications for safety glass and is manufactured exclusively with PPG Starphire® low-iron glass.

NGI Designer Glass Inc.: Decorative Displays
NGI Designer Glass Inc. of Concord, Ontario, will use its new booth display to feature its latest decorative glass products. The new trade show booth was built in the Netherlands as a 10- by 30-foot tunnel with 10-feet long backlit glass panels for the floor, walls and ceiling.

In addition, the company’s latest launch, Sublistyle, is a process that can reproduce digital, high-definition photography and artwork on architectural glass. The process has unlimited color capabilities, including a wide range of metallics, backlit options, transparent colors and full scalability. Sublistyle can be laminated or tempered to meet safety requirements and with UV protection, the company says it is guaranteed against fading, both indoors and outdoors.

Walker Glass Co. Ltd.: Subtle Nuances
Custom designs are now available as part of the Textures^TM Nuance line of patterned acid-etched glass and mirror from Walker Glass Co. Ltd. According to information from the company, any pattern can be made thanks to its continuous research and development of the acid etch-process, which allows for a high-quality registration and an unmatched level of detail.

This custom program is available on any North American substrate in a wide range of glass thicknesses varying from 3-mm to 19-mm and 3-mm to 6-mm on mirror in sizes up to 96- x 130-inches. The patterns are available on etched or unetched glass.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the 2009 AIA Convention.

The group also discussed which types of companies are eligible for membership in the division. Ashley Charest, GANA account executive, said primarily members are decorative glass companies/artists, their suppliers and also installers.

During the technical meeting, committee chair Greg Saroka said that the group’s LEED position paper is now complete. The white paper was created to identify ways that LEED credits can be applied to decorative glass products. The members discussed ways they can now use the paper and decided that they will work to get it approved as a GANA-wide document.

Also during the technical meeting Jeff Nixon of Glass Coatings and Concepts gave an update on the product color and durability task group. Nixon explained that the group’s goal has been to:

· Prepare an easily referenced document on color and durability;
· Identify test methods;
· Consider available specifications and standards; and
· Determine whether there is a need to develop a standard or specification.
·
Nixon said they have grouped color and appearance together and then durability. They have created a list of color/appearance properties (i.e., a glossary), which include the term (such as lightness/darkness), a definition, an example, test methods and units of measure.

Nixon said they are hoping to determine whether the document is useful so that they can eventually flesh it and submit to general membership for feedback.

During the decorative division membership meeting, Kris Vockler, division chair, noted that there is no longer a decorative marketing committee; all association marketing committees have been merged to form one GANA marketing committee. Vockler said, though, that all projects that had been in the works within the decorative marketing committee will remain with the division. As a result, new decorative committees are being formed, including a website committee.

But the biggest discussion topic during the meeting was the question of whether the mirror division should become a part of the decorative division.

“There’s been talk of merging the two groups. I want to hear your questions, concerns and positive thoughts on this,” said Vockler.

One member in attendance spoke out and asked what the value of merging would be.

Marc Deschamps of Walker Glass answered.

“The mirror division membership has decreased and there is a lot of synergy between the two groups, since mirror is a decorative product,” said Deschamps. “The decorative division has a strong membership based already … we can all pull together to create an even stronger division.”

Greg Saroka agreed.

“The traditional use of mirror will always be there, but the bigger possibility is the growth in the area of finding new opportunities with mirror in the decorative market,” he said.

Not everyone, however, is completely convinced that merging is the best way to go.

“I agree that mirror is decorative,” said Randy Brooks of Gardner Glass Products, “but there are areas where mirror is not used as a decorative product, such as in the emerging solar market … I’m concerned because [the solar aspect] may not fit into the scope of the decorative division.”

Greg Carney, GANA technical director, said there was not really a right or wrong way to go.

“It makes sense to have a mirror committee under decorative, as well as part of the energy committee. There is no clear answer.”

The topic of merging the two groups was first discussed during the Fall Conference meeting last September(CLICK HERE to read related article). As a way to try and increase membership and interest, the mirror division had decided to explore the area of solar uses for mirror. As a result of that, the group is co-sponsoring a solar panel discussion that takes place later today.