April/May 2021

Updates
GLASS PROCESSING & SEALED UNITS
DOWSIL SEALANTS USED FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECT
Dowsil sealants have been supplied by the Sherwin Williams Company
to one of Dow’s leading Quality Bond customers, Architectural
Engineering Ltd (AEL). The products helped to facilitate the delivery of
a unitised glazing and cladding package for a commercial office project
in one of Manchester’s key regeneration areas.
100 Embankment at Greengate, Salford, is the second phase of a joint
development on the site of the city’s historic Exchange Station, forming part
of a new business district. The project is being led by BAM Construction and
contractor Prater; the latter renewing its partnership with unitised curtain wall
specialist, AEL. The 11-storey steel-framed building has been designed by
London-based architectural practice, Flanagan Lawrence.
While the structure of the podium skyscraper shows elements of rainscreen
cladding and glass reinforced concrete, AEL’s high performance curtain wall
package encloses the four main elevations. A total of 1,164 panels – featuring
a 350mm deep aluminium channel covering the floor zones – were installed,
making a total area of 7,000m 2 . The façade’s assembly and installation
included the use of Dowsil 993 Structural Glazing Sealant to bond the glazing
elements, as well as Dowsil 791 Weatherproofing Sealant for all of the weathersealing
applications.
Additionally, all of the insulating glass units (IGUs) were assembled by subcontractor,
Interpane, using Dowsil 3363 Insulating Glass Sealant – specifically
formulated in response to modern architectural designs featuring larger glass
areas. This product is ideal on tall buildings where wind and other loads are
generally higher. The two-part neutral curing, high modulus silicone sealant
is twice as strong as conventional products while also facilitating faster unit
assembly and greater durability.
The final specification of the Dowsil products for the Greengate 100 contract
rested with Prater, verified by the architects and main contractor. As part of
the Quality Bond procedures, both AEL and Sherwin Williams conducted tests
before and during the contract period, including assessment of a trial rig
comprising the structural glazed units and the aluminium feature panels. The
largest glass panels used measured 1,646 x 3,296mm while the ‘bite size’
for the structural glazing was 12 x 6mm, with individual units weighing up to
300kg. There was also the additional challenge of manufacturing and installing
a variety of curved panels designed to different radii.
specification.sherwin-williams.co.uk
SAGEGLASS SET TO FEATURE AT EXPO DUBAI
SageGlass, Saint-Gobain’s dynamic glazing, is set to feature in the
‘Belvédère’ events space in the France Pavilion at Expo Dubai.
The theme of the expo, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates (UAE) between October 1, 2021 and March 30, 2022, is
‘connecting minds, creating the future’, with three key sub-themes:
sustainability, opportunity and mobility.
The France Pavilion is designed to serve as ‘an outstanding showcase
for French excellence and savoir-faire’. It will also illustrate France’s
commitment to creating the future through political, economic, cultural
and social action and initiatives.
light is a source of deflection as well as reflection. SageGlass smart
glazing is wholly in keeping with this theme, and the Pavilion will be a
perfect place to showcase this innovation from Saint-Gobain.”
SageGlass automatically regulates the amount of light and heat entering
the space using sensors placed in different areas of the facade – a
feature that persuaded the project’s architects, Atelier du Prado and
Celnikier & Grabli Architectes, to incorporate this state-of-the-art glazing
into the Pavilion. www.francedubai2020.com
The Compagnie Française des Expositions (Cofrex), the project owner
of the France Pavilion, has selected Saint-Gobain’s SageGlass dynamic
glazing to feature among the French innovations in the Pavilion. This
smart glazing tints and clears automatically or on demand to control
sunlight and prevent glare and excess heat.
Erik Linquier, Cofrex CEO, said: “The architectural theme of the France
Pavilion is ‘Light, Enlightenment’. Light will be presented in a variety of
different forms throughout the exhibit, creating a unique experience where
52 T F APRIL/MAY 2021 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN