FABRICATION FEATURE STORY
Taking silk screen
second dimension to the
Architects using the application on two surfaces of an IG unit
By Alissa Schmidt
Populous, a global design firm headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is known around the world for designing environments that pro- vide people with unforgettable experiences. From the new Yankee Stadium to Berlin’s O2
World Arena, the firm is known for its bold, innovative
style. So, when it came time to build its own headquarters, the Populous design team was aiming for anything
but ordinary. To enhance energy performance while adding an eye-catching aesthetic to the building’s glass skin,
designers opted for silk-screen patterns on two surfaces of
the insulating glass configuration, for a di;erent twist.
;e most common silk-screen applications have the design
applied to one surface of an insulating unit. In recent years, in
response to changing design aesthetics, architects have begun
exploring the use of placing silk-screen patterns on two sur-
faces. While this does provide additional design options, us-
ing patterns on multiple surfaces also has aesthetic challenges.
Traditional placement of silk-screen pattern
An insulating glass unit has two plies of glass, for a total of
four surfaces (see Fig. 1). ;e silk-screen pattern is typically
placed on the second surface along with the low-E coating.
;e silk-screen pattern is applied first, and the low-E coat-
ing is applied over the silk-screen pattern. ;is combination
o;ers optimal performance, by placing both the silk screen
and the coating on the surface closest to the sun. While it is
possible to place the silk-screen pattern on the third surface
with a low-E coating on the second surface, this configura-
tion will block less heat than placing the coating and the
silk-screen pattern on the second surface. (see Fig. 2).
Dual surface design misconceptions
Placing a pattern on the second and third surfaces can sound
like an appealing means of enhancing aesthetics. Designers
60%
55%
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
0.22
0.24
0.26
0.28
0.30
0.32
0.34
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
Note: Performance is based on 1 inch VE1-2M, low-E coated insulating units with white ceramic frit
64 Glass Magazine® ; July/August 2010
