What's New: Week of 05/14/2023

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Easy Access to Outdoor Areas Without Detracting From the Spectacular Views

The developers of a luxury condominium building in the Ben Franklin Parkway area of Philadelphia, PA wanted to take full advantage of their proximity in the historic city. From the Art Museum, downtown skyscrapers, surrounding parks, and the Rodin Museum located directly next door to the property, unmatched views from each unit was a primary goal of this new construction project. The team at Cecil Baker + Partners Architects designed each of the 27 units to have at least one large opening to a private balcony. Floor-to-ceiling operable glass walls, each over nine ft. tall and varying in widths from six ft. to 18 ft., were chosen for these openings. In addition, two openings, one on the street level and the other on the penthouse level, were situated on an outside corner, creating openings that spanned over 33 ft.

Protecting Guests During Cocktail Hour

Located on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, PA near the Ohio border rests a rustic, log-constructed wedding venue and bed and breakfast. The wedding venue features a main hall, which is fully-encased with operable glass walls, an adjacent, open-air pavilion , that includes a bar and gathering space, and a lakeside gazebo. The owners wanted to expand the versatility concept of the main entertainment space to the bar pavilion with operable glass walls . It was imperative that the space maintained the open-air feel and views of the lake when the weather was cooperative, but could also be protected with glass walls on three sides during inclement weather. The glass walls would also have to match the aesthetics and functionality of the main hall.

Extend the Growing Season

Suburban properties seldom have the yard space to cultivate a vegetable garden and those in the Northeast only see a short, five to six month growing season. To enjoy the fruits of their labor year-round, the owners of this Connecticut residence contacted Solar Innovations® to design, fabricate, and install a stand-alone greenhouse. The structure would need enough space indoors to maintain plants year-round with easy access to an outdoor vegetable garden during the normal growing season. Because of the weather extremes in the Northeast, the structure would need to be equipped with systems to maintain an ideal growing environment year-round.

Finding Operable Walls that Won't Disrupt the Spectacular Scenery

This beautiful, Morganton, NC lakeside home features three large openings that face a serene lake and connect to outdoor living spaces. The homeowners desired a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors while optimally maintaining the gorgeous views when the openings are closed. Working with the team at Cottonwood Development Company, they agreed to incorporate the largest possible sliding glass doors in their design, to keep the number of vertical stiles to a minimum, and preserving the scenic views.

Building an Attached Glass Enclosure Without Dividing Outdoor Entertainment Areas

When the homeowners were planning to build their dream home on a mountainous, wooded-parcel outside of Colorado Springs, CO, they called on the architects at Design Renaissance to design a home that would take advantage of the gorgeous surroundings. In addition to large window and door openings, the homeowners desired an indoor dining space where they could be enveloped by nature from nearly every direction. The design called for the dining space to have a fireplace, that serviced both the glass enclosure and outdoor patio space, to keep the occupants warm when the weather got cold. In addition, there needed to be multi-directional access from the outdoor kitchen and covered patio area that flanked the enclosure, as well as the main indoor kitchen.

Keeping Fresh Air Circulating All Year Long

When the Spiezle Architectural Group set out to revitalize an aging Senior Living Community, improving the overall quality of life of the residents was the overarching goal of this project. Located in a community with a suburban atmosphere, but within the city limits of Philadelphia, PA, this sprawling retirement community includes 133 apartments that range in size from a 340 sq. ft. studio to a 1,500 sq. ft. two-bedroom, deluxe apartment. Much of the property includes a covered walkway between the units that was exposed to the elements. To increase the energy performance of the buildings and give the residents an enclosed corridor to traverse during inclement weather, the architects planned to incorporate operable doors and windows in the walkways that not only would create a thermal barrier between the units and the outdoors, but also allow fresh air to circulate when the weather is nice.

Consistency Without Sacrificing Quality

When Architect Zachary T. Clanahan designed this beautiful, three-story contemporary home in an exclusive Long Island, NY neighborhood, consistent sight lines and finishes, modern design and an abundance of daylighting were at the forefront of the plan. With 4,390 sq. ft. of glass needed for the fixed and operable openings in this structure, it was imperative to have an architectural glazing system supplier who could design and manufacture all the components, allowing for complete cohesion throughout the project.

Making a Statement in a Historic Building

When the designers for a global co-working and flex space company set out to transform one floor of a historic building into a flexible office space with event and lounge areas, it became apparent that the plan called for an extraordinary solution to divide two of the open spaces. Set in one of the country's first department stores, the Wanamaker Building in Center City Philadelphia, PA, this 42,000 square foot area houses a large dining hall adjacent to an even larger common space. The plan called for a 35 ft. x 10 ft. operable partition between these two spaces that maintained an open-feel for the entire floor.

Adding Dining Space for All Seasons

Restaurant owners from Washington D.C. decided that they wanted to construct an addition to their existing dining area where patrons can engage in the outdoor dining experience while the weather is pleasant and also stay comfortable during the coldest winter days. The owners gave specific requests that the structure includes an insulated roof to keep patrons warm in cold weather while also providing ample ventilation and shade in warmer weather.

Comfort in a Limited Space

In 2014, clients from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania reached out to Solar Innovations to inquire about building a structure surrounding their endless lap pool. There were a few obstacles that had to be considered during the planning and installation process. One being that the clients wanted the ability to utilize their pool during all four seasons and in any weather condition, including the hottest summer days. Also, the structure had to ventilate the humidity that is persistent with pool enclosures. Lastly, there was limited space in the backyard area allotted for the structure, that would also serve as an entertaining space that connects directly to the home.

Unimpeded Views

When building on a property with such an amazing landscape as this Greenwich, CT project, preserving views was crucial. While many would choose to utilize large traditional windows, these homeowners wanted to take advantage of the largest spans of glass possible for their project. Prutting and Company Custom Builders sought the help of Solar Innovations® to incorporate both fixed and operable glazing solutions into this 2015 new construction project. Consistent sightlines, architectural uniformity, and simplicity were the most important design parameters.

Daylighting and Ventilation

New York City's exclusive Ludlow House offers members a luxurious space to dine, enjoy live performances, or share their talents with other like-minded professionals. The goal of this 2014 Soho renovation was to help stimulate the mind and foster creativity by creating a well-ventilated space with the benefits of sunlight, while maintaining the prestigious feel of this establishment. However, achieving proper ventilation in a big city, especially in a structure that has been standing for nearly a century, was no easy task. Stack ventilation, which utilizes a combination of low and high openings to provide excellent air circulation to a space, was the desired outcome for this project. To maximize the existing space and reduce structural changes, their team of designers reached out to Solar Innovations® for a solution.

Up-Scale Dining Under the Stars

Architect Angelo Francis Corva & Associates and the owners of Rare650, a high-end restaurant in Syosset, NY, approached Solar Innovations® with the idea of creating a jawdropping dining experience with a unique atmosphere. This statement piece would have to provide year-round dining, in an up-scale environment that the Long Island steak and sushi restaurant had become known for. The primary goal of the project was to incorporate large spans of glass that would allow patrons to enjoy natural lighting and bring the outside in. In an establishment where a “full house" is common, proper ventilation was imperative.

A Cohesive Look Between Door and Window Systems

The owners of this Long Island, NY beach home came to Solar Innovations® in search of doors and windows that would create a consistent look and feel across their home. They also wanted many of the window systems to be operable. The finishes, hardware, operation, glazing type, and other features would need to be uniform. When doors and windows are ordered from different suppliers, the slightest difference in appearance can destroy the overall aesthetics of a building. A single-source provider would be needed for this job in order to succeed.

Finding Additional Space

Expanding the space in a commercial restaurant setting can be critical to provide excellent service in a crowded environment. This is exactly why the owners of this Brooklyn, NY restaurant and bar approached Solar Innovations® for their 2017 renovation project. Operable walls were in the scope of the project from its inception, but providing ideal operation and meeting accessibility requirements, while maintaining the aesthetic of the existing structure, presented an interesting challenge for the Solar Innovations® design team.