Solarban® 70 Glass Radiates Brilliance, Transforming UC San Diego Campus into an Award-Winning Beacon of Innovation!

by GlassBalkan
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UC SAN DIEGO’S LIVING LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD: AWARD-WINNING DESIGN WITH SOLARBAN® 70 GLASS

In the heart of the University of California, San Diego, the North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood (NTPLLN) stands tall, having earned the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA) COTE® Top Ten Award. This 915,500 sq. ft. campus marvel, designed by HKS in collaboration with Safdie Rabines Architects, boasts an abundance of natural light and stunning scenic views, thanks to the innovative use of Solarban® 70 Glass from Vitro Architectural Glass.

OPTIMIZING DAYLIGHTING AND COMFORT

Dr. Tommy Zakrzewski, principal and director of Building Engineering Physics at HKS, spearheaded the mission to enhance UC San Diego’s housing quality. The team’s goal was to maximize exterior glazing, ensuring ideal views and natural light. To achieve this, Honeybee software linked to Grasshopper/Rhino facilitated detailed daylighting, comfort, and energy calculations. The glass design was meticulously parameterized to optimize the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), window-to-wall ratio, and visible light transmittance (VLT).

EXCEEDING SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS

The meticulous design process resulted in a remarkable window-to-wall ratio of 35%, surpassing UC San Diego’s sustainability requirements and earning the project LEED® Platinum certification. Notably, the design succeeded in delivering daylight to 75% of regularly occupied areas, offering quality views for 95% of the occupied space.

CHOOSING SOLARBAN® 70 GLASS

HKS, impressed by previous success with Solarban® glass, chose Solarban® 70 for NTPLLN’s three residence halls, two academic buildings, classrooms, offices, parking, and public amenities. This choice was driven by the glass’s aesthetic appeal and high-performance characteristics, contributing to the creation of strong biophilic connections to the exterior environment.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND COMFORTABLE SPACES

Solarban® 70 Glass, renowned for its color-neutral aesthetic, offers unprecedented solar control and visible light transmittance (VLT). The glass, coupled with conventional clear glass in a one-inch insulating glass unit (IGU), provides a SHGC of 0.27 and VLT of 64%, ensuring energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

OPTIMIZING WINDOW PLACEMENT AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS

The architects faced challenges in optimizing window placement, considering adjacencies, site massing, and building orientation. Solar insolation mapping helped understand annual and seasonal changes in direct solar radiation. Solarban® 70 Glass not only minimizes energy demand but also supports buildings in avoiding overheating during extreme heat climatic events, prioritizing occupant comfort. Additionally, the project embraced HKS’ Mindful Materials library, ensuring socially responsible supply chains for a holistic approach to health and well-being.

ENHANCING LIVING EXPERIENCE

NTPLLN, beyond its architectural brilliance, provides 2,048 beds at below-market rates. Suites and apartments are organized around indoor and outdoor common areas, fostering social interactions, collaboration, and restorative connections to nature. A rooftop community garden and community kitchens contribute to a healthy and vibrant living experience.

Source: Vitro Architectural Glass with additional information added by GlassBalkan

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