Dupont helps bring outside in

The Yorkdale Centre is the first large-scale project in the world to use the Planar SentryGlas Plus System. A 60-foot high ‘barrel-vaulted’ laminated glass atrium now runs 300 feet in length and soars above the 180,000 sq. foot redeveloped area.

Chris Brown of MMC International Architects comments, ‘This was quite a challenge considering Toronto’s harsh climate as winter temperatures often fall as low as –20 Centrigrade, and there is heavy and frequent snow. The Pilkington DuPont solution answered our aesthetic and functional needs due to the unobtrusive framing system and strength of the glass. It is safe, strong and offers unbeatable edge stability’.

DuPont laminated glass has also been used to brighten up a medical clinic in Rome, Italy. Fabia Mater welcomes patients and staff with images of children in a series of customised collages made possible by DuPont SentryGlas Expressions decorative glass technology.

The architect for the project, Lorenzo Berna, is professor of architecture and town planning at Perugia University. He said: ‘We used SentryGlas Expressions decorative laminated glass extensively to create a reception area that is filled with soft, natural daylight, as well as in the cafeteria and administrative offices on the ground floor.’

The glass panels function as internal partitions, doors and walls as well as traditional murals at various locations in the clinic’s ground floor, for example in the cheerful cafeteria.

Laminated glass was essential to the clinic project, not only because safety glass is mandatory for floor to ceiling glazing, but because the lamination protects the collage from damage and eliminates the possibility of bacteria getting trapped between the glass panels.