MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow Corning has used SageGlass® tintable glazings in its extension of the Solar Energy Exploration and Development (SEED) centre, a state-of-the-art research and development facility in Seneffe, Belgium. This will provide a dynamic and comfortable sustainable glazing solution and help achieve the highest energy efficiency standards, says Mr. Francis Sputael, project manager of the SEED’s extension. The SEED centre, designed by architect Patrick de Grave from EARCH Engineering and design office, showcases Dow Corning silicones solutions for green buildings, sustainable design and green technologies, and must therefore promote insulating and sustainable architecture while providing an energy-efficient and comfortable working space for occupants. Located on a bridge between two newly-constructed buildings – the Solar Application Centre and the Innovation Technology Centre – the complex required an aesthetically-pleasing transparent glazing solution to control solar light, heat gain and glare. SageGlass is electronically tintable dynamic glass that maximizes daylight and outdoor views in the building while controlling glare and heat gain without using internal or external shading. The glass can darken or clear manually or automatically to save energy and help keep building occupants continuously comfortable throughout the day. SageGlass was installed into the SEED centre as structural glazing using Dow Corning silicones. The windows are managed by the SageGlass control system in two automatic switching zones. Depending on the solar exposure of the façade, which is monitored by light sensors, the glass darkens or clears to take full advantage of daylight and prevent solar heat gain. Thanks to a presence detector and light level sensors, artificial lights are switched on and off automatically to maximize energy efficiency. Installing SageGlass also enabled the SEED centre to make the most of the entire meeting room without the challenge of internal shading solutions taking up valuable space.
