Commercial Architecture October 2016 - 33

PROJECT windows Dynamic Glass Transforms Dining Experience SageGlass showcases 360-deg. Los Angeles views. L os Angeles is known for its sunny sign plans. They wanted to create a circular, climate, beautiful beaches, and en- casually chic restaurant space that would tertainment industry. However, it is feature views of the mountains and Long also home to some of the country's most Beach harbor. Due to the height of the celebrated restaurants. Restaurateur Emil restaurant above ground level, as well as Eyvazoff was drawn to the 71st floor of the L.A.'s summer temperatures, the architects iconic U.S. Bank Tower in the city for the explored solutions that would reduce heat site of his next unique dining experience. gain and glare without compromising the Eyvazoff is well known for his high-rise far-reaching city views. restaurant and nightclub Takemi Sushi and Although blinds and shades would help Elevate Lounge in the city's Financial Dis- minimize heat gain and glare, they would trict, as well as his ability to create memora- also obstruct the view, which was one of the ble dining experiences. major selling points for the restaurant in the The U.S. Bank Tower is the tallest building in California, the thirteenth tallest in first place. Blinds and shades would also attract dust and require constant cleaning. the United States, and one of the 100 tallest buildings in the world. It is also one of the DYNAMIC SOLUTION most recognizable buildings in Los Ange- After exploring a variety of solar-control les, having been featured in films such as options, Tag Front chose SageGlass, from Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, Sage Electrochromics Inc., Faribault, MN, and San Andreas. due to its ability to optimize daylight and outdoor views, and provide comfort while DESIGN CHALLENGE preventing glare, fading, and overheating. To design the space, Eyvazoff enlisted SageGlass has a wide dynamic range from architecture firm Tag Front, West Hol- 1% to 60%. When it is in clear mode, at lywood, CA, which had assisted him in 60% visible light transmission, it performs designing other restaurants. However, the like most other low-e glass in commercial project presented a unique design challenge buildings. When it is fully tinted at 1%, because Eyvazoff wanted to create a restau- it blocks 99% of visible light, preventing rant, 1,000 ft. in the air, that would offer glare. On the other side of the spectrum, 360-deg. views of the city and be free from SageGlass also has a low 0.09 solar-heat- heat gain and glare despite the intense rays gain coefficient, blocking most of the of the California sun. intense heat from the sun, which allows Another challenge the team had to take restaurant guests to sit next to a window into consideration was that the U.S. Bank and feel comfortable even when the sun is Tower is located in busy downtown L.A., at its peak. and southern California is prone to severe storms and weather. SageGlass worked with Giroux Glass, Los Angeles, to install approximately The architects realized that, along with 3,000-sq.-ft. of dynamic glass on the façade the climate of the area, solar control would of the restaurant. The installation included also present a major challenge to their de- 24 bay windows, with each window weigh- Top. In clear mode, at 60% visible light transmission, SageGlass performs like most other low-e glass in commercial buildings. Above. When it is fully tinted at 1%, it blocks 99% of visible light, preventing glare. It also has a low 0.09 solar-heat-gain coefficient. commercialarchitecturemagazine.com OCTOBER 2016 COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE 33 http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture October 2016