J.E. Berkowitz, LP, (JEB) announced the completion of the Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) campus in Philadelphia. The high-tech research facility and laboratory features 18,000 square feet of glazing fabricated by JEB at its Pedricktown, N.J., headquarters.
New York City-based architects Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi designed the glass-clad, 78,000- square-foot building to accommodate UPenn’s work in the emerging field of nanotechnology. According to project manager Todd Hoehn, of Weiss/Manfredi, “The crystalline façade overlooking the central courtyard was critical to the project. We were able to create a custom effect by combining five matching, but offset acid-etched and silk-screened patterns in insulating glass units (IGU).”
Darrell Cherry, project manager for JEB, said, “The most interesting aspect of this project was the fabrication and assembly of the two custom components for each IGU. Each lite had to be precisely aligned to achieve the desired window blind effect. The result is fascinating.”
JEB fabricated the 1-5/16-inch IGUs with ¼-inch interior lites featuring silk-screened patterns by JEB. The exterior lites utilized acid-etched patterns by Walker Glass Company, laminated with a ¼-inch lites of high-performance low-E glass by Guardian Industries.
Chris Dolan, director, Commercial Glass Marketing for Guardian Industries, applauded Weiss/Manfredi for their modern design and creative use of glass. “The artistic glass façade created a building skin that appears to be made of layers of glazing due to the use of acid etching and silk screening,” he said. “The project used Guardian SunGuard AG 50 low-E on UltraWhite low-iron glass to help reduce glare and solar heat gain while providing a public space filled with natural light.” Completed in October 2013, the Krishna P. Singh Center has already received design recognition by winning the Chicago Athenaeum’s 2013 International Architecture Award and the 2013 American Architecture Award.
About JEB JE Berkowitz, LP is a leading architectural glass fabricator. Founded in 1920, the ISO 9001 certified company serves customers for the domestic and overseas architectural markets. Products include Tempered Glass, Insulating Glass, Spandrel Glass, Silk-Screened Glass, Glass Doors and Entrances, Laminated Glass, and Point Supported Canopy and Wall Systems. The family-owned glass business is located in Pedricktown,, N.J., with over 200,000 square feet of plant space and over 200 employees.
The Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) campus in Philadelphia features 18,000 square feet of glazing fabricated by JEB at its Pedricktown, N.J., headquarters. JEB fabricated 1-5/16-inch IGUs with ¼-inch interior lites featuring silk-screened patterns by JEB. The exterior lites utilized acid-etched patterns by Walker Glass Company, laminated with a ¼-inch lites of high-performance low-E glass by Guardian Industries.
