by Brianna Crandall — June 12, 2017 — SageGlass, manufacturer of smart electrochromic glass, just announced it was selected to install 25,000 square feet of dynamic glass at the new Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing at Bowie State University on portions of the curtain wall façade and throughout “The Beacon,” a three-story multipurpose space, and that the installation was just completed. The smart glass dynamically controls sunlight to provide students and faculty with a comfortable learning environment and collaborative event space. The project is aiming to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
By controlling sunlight to optimize daylight, outdoor views and comfort while preventing glare, fading and overheating, SageGlass creates a more productive learning environment conducive to cognitive thinking, thanks to unobstructed views of the outdoors. With SageGlass, building occupants can comfortably experience the biophilic benefits of the outdoors, including stress reduction, enhanced creativity and an improved sense of wellbeing, says the company.
The dynamic smart glass tints on demand, allowing professors to customize solar control. It also tints automatically via light standards. By blocking sunlight on hot days, SageGlass is designed to help dramatically reduce energy demand in the building.
Bowie State University President Mickey L. Burnim stated:
The state-of-the-art Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing will catalyze Bowie State University’s efforts to expand the use of collaborative hands-on teaching models and continue to position the University at the leading edge of innovation in STEM education and undergraduate research. Its innovative design provides an optimal learning environment for students and faculty to engage in transformational interdisciplinary learning and instruction.
The 149,000-square-foot facility features flexible classrooms, state-of-the-art research and instructional laboratories, and a natural sciences greenhouse to foster collaboration across academic programs and support the University’s strategic initiative to enhance teaching in the sciences and cutting-edge research. The Center will also include a nursing simulation wing and increase the University’s capacity to enroll nursing students.
Alan McLenaghan, CEO of SageGlass, commented:
We believe that providing students with a daylit environment, free from heat gain and glare, is essential to ensuring strong academic performance. By utilizing SageGlass at the new Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing to create a more comfortable learning and collaboration space for students, Bowie State is demonstrating its continued commitment to the success of its students.
Bowie State University completed this project in partnership with the University of Maryland Service Center, Perkins + Will, and Clark Construction.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, a global building material company and manufacturer of innovative material solutions, SageGlass is said to be backed by 350 years of building science expertise.
