The Globe is undeniably becoming the landmark for CERN...
At 27 metres in height and 40 metres in diameter, it’s about the size of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.  A landmark by day and by night, the Globe stands out in the wine-growing countryside not far from Geneva. Its wooden structure constituting a symbol of sustainable development, the Globe sends a clear message on science, particle physics, cutting-edge technologies and their applications in everyday life.

At the top of the dome is a glass structure which floods the entire space with light creating a bright and spacious interior.
However, this is not ideal when darkness is required to show presentations and project images within the space. This proved to be a significant design challenge where light and darkness would be required at various times throughout the day.

Following the recent installation of SPD SmartGlass by SmartGlass International, it is now possible to darken the environment within the globe at the flick of a switch, providing an ideal space where presentations can be screened in high contrast eliminating the need for window coverings whilst maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the globe.

“The Globe has rapidly become an important communication tool for CERN. Aside from purely practical considerations, we had to make sure that we didn’t change the atmosphere of the Globe or spoil its architectural beauty. The new technology (SPD SmartGlass) meets all these criteria. It’s also consistent with the message of science and innovation we want to convey. The screen now has an excellent contrast, so our goal has been achieved – in the smartest way you could imagine!”
Bernard Pellequer, CERN

“The product is amazing and everyone is really impressed. Actually, our clients are all interested if they can have this in their home!”
Maria Zaldua, General Manager – Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel, Bahrain

Eccleston Square Hotel has made it into the Condé Nast Hot List for The Best New Hotels of 2012

LC SmartGlass was used to create a glass wall partition separating bedroom and bathroom in each room at Eccleston Square Hotel. Switchable SmartGlass was the ideal solution to create a bright open space as it not only lets more light into the bathroom but also gives the impression of increased space throughout the entire room.

LC SmartGlass is installed throughout this stunning building to create a series of private spaces where meetings can take place without compromising the levels of light which flood beautifully throughout each floor.

LC SmartGlass was installed on the Freya & Odin Ships, two of four longship class-vessels launched and is used within each room on each ship to separate bedroom from bathroom creating a bright, spacious interior.

The christening of the four new Viking Longships represents the first time in modern history that four cruise ships have been christened at once, with Viking Odin and Viking Idun christened in Amsterdam and Viking Njord and Viking Freya christened via satellite from the Neptun shipyard in Germany.

Guests at the christening ceremony enjoyed remarks by each godmother and presentations by Hagen and Yran & Storbraaten, the celebrated maritime architects and Viking Longship designers.

Client

Microsoft Headquarters Lisbon Portugal

Project

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, United States that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related tocomputing through its various product divisions.

Microsoft are working on some very exciting projects in Europe in the coming years and therefore have invested in their Lisbon Headquarters where they will service their European markets.

Challenge

Microsoft continuously push the boundaries with their innovative and unique products and wanted to reflect this in their EU Headquarters.

Solution

LC SmartGlass provides efficient utilization of space for office interiors, offering instant privacy on demand at the flick of a switch. LC SmartGlass provides simple, instantaneous and reversible states of transparency with no alteration of light level making it an ideal solution for office interiors where ample lighting is fundamental.

The quality and simplicity of LC SmartGlass provides the ideal environment of privacy for office interiors and conference rooms.

Result

LC SmartGlass partitioning has created small subdivisions of office spaces delivering instant privacy to carry out important meetings and presentations, without distractions from onlookers, and co-workers eliminating the “goldfish bowl” effect.

The sleek, sophisticated appearance is an aethetically pleasing  interior solution eliminating the need for curtains/blinds which can look dated and unpleasant.

 For more information email us on info@smartglassinternational.com.

Client

Globe of Science & Innovation CERN Geneva

Project

The Globe is undeniably becoming the landmark for CERN. The role of this new spherical building is to serve as a source of pride for the scientific community by sharing the important work done at CERN not only with those living in the regions of France and Switzerland surrounding Geneva but more generally with the whole of Europe.

At 27 metres in height and 40 metres in diameter, it’s about the size of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.  A landmark by day and by night, the Globe stands out in the wine-growing countryside not far from Geneva. Its wooden structure constituting a symbol of sustainable development, the Globe sends a clear message on science, particle physics, cutting-edge technologies and their applications in everyday life.

Challenge

The Globe of Science and Innovation is the responsibility of the CERN Communication Group, whose mandate is to “increase awareness of CERN’s importance in the world while providing a large arena for interaction between science and society”. Only recently opened to the public, the Globe will house world renowned exhibitions and presentations. The CERN Communication Group receive enormous interest in the venue for events and prestigious showcases resulting in a busy schedule.

At the top of the dome is a glass structure which floods the entire space with light creating a bright and spacious interior.
However, this is not ideal when darkness is required to show presentations and project images within the space. This proved to be a significant design challenge where light and darkness would be required at various times throughout the day.

Solution

SPD SmartGlass can be manually or automatically “tuned” to precisely control the amount of light, glare and heat passing through a window. The level of light entering the building can be controlled to create the desired environment that is required. In this case, when a presentation is taking place and darkness is required the glass is switched to its “Off” state blocking 99.4% of light.

Result

It is now possible to darken the environment within the globe at the flick of a switch, providing the ideal enviroment where presentations can be screened in high contrast eliminating the need for window coverings whilst maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the globe.

Testimonials

“The Globe has rapidly become an important communication tool for CERN. Aside from purely practical considerations, we had to make sure that we didn’t change the atmosphere of the Globe or spoil its architectural beauty. The new technology (SPD SmartGlass) meets all these criteria. It’s also consistent with the message of science and innovation we want to convey. The screen now has an excellent contrast, so our goal has been achieved – in the smartest way you could imagine!”
Bernard Pellequer, CERN

For more information email us on info@smartglassinternational.com.

“Great Week at Kempinski”
February 2012

“The bathroom was the best part ! A big bath tub , a great shower, u could get in the bath tub & watch the tv thru the glass or u could press a button & make the bathroom totally isolated ..”

“Beautiful Hotel in the City Centre”
March 2012

“It’s rooms are plush with modern furniture and all of the modern conveniences including WiFi. The bathroom offers both privacy and intimacy (full bath with glass wall open to the bedroom”

“Room Fantastic”
April 2012

“Such a nice hotel, room with smart glass bathroom and balcony is amazing”

“Wow Weeeeeeee Impressed”
April 2012

“We highly recommend this Hotel. The creme de la Creme was definetly the shower with the instant frosted Glass at the press of a switch. It was wicked!”

“Great Hotel in Fantastic Location”
March 2012

“Our room had a huge bedroom and equally large bathroom and was ultra-modern and sparkling clean. The bathroom had a clear glass door and when you touched a switch on the wall the Smartglass turned opaque which was amazing (my husband played with this alll evening)”

]]> http://www.smartglassinternational.com/latest-smartglass-reviews/feed/ 0 http://www.smartglassinternational.com/smartglass-improves-efficiency/ http://www.smartglassinternational.com/smartglass-improves-efficiency/#comments Sun, 06 May 2012 23:00:52 +0000 orla http://www.smartglassinternational.com/?p=3991

“86% of productivity problems reside in the work environment of organizations with 73% of office workers surveyed stating natural daylight was extremely important”

Journal of Business Management March 2010

LC SmartGlass “On”                                                         LC SmartGlass “Off”

LC SmartGlass when switched “On” allows 76% light transmission & when switched “Off” allows 67%.

LC SmartGlass provides efficient utilization of space for office interiors, offering instant privacy on demand at the flick of a switch. LC SmartGlass provides simple, instantaneous and reversible states of transparency with no alteration of light level making it an ideal solution for office interiors where ample lighting is fundamental.

The quality and simplicity of LC SmartGlass provides the ideal environment of privacy for office interiors and conference rooms.

LC SmartGlass can create small subdivisions of office spaces delivering instant privacy to carry out important meetings and presentations, without distractions from onlookers, and co-workers eliminating the “goldfish bowl” effect.

LC SmartGlass offers a sleek, sophisticated interior solution eliminating the need for curtains/blinds which can look dated and unpleasant.

 Embrace the Sun

 Control daylight to improve the lives of the people who work and live in your buildings

Control sunlight without shades or blinds, manage glare and heat without compromising your view

Glass is one of the most stunning features of a building and is essential to beautiful architectural design. Window coverings are out – instead, enjoy stunning panoramic floor to ceiling views which allow natural light flood through each floor of the building.

Electronic solar control glass opens the window of design possibilities for the built environment by enhancing design freedom with the elimination of window covering considerations.

SPD SmartGlass Improves Productivity

A buildings design shows commitment to maximizing the comfort and productivity of its occupants.

“86% of productivity problems reside in the work environment of organizations with 73% of office workers surveyed stating natural daylight was extremely important”
Journal of Business Management March 2010

Allow abundant natural light make building occupants happier and more productive. Give everyone a generous view of the outdoors.

Make your building a shining example of both innovative design and sustainability.

SPD SmartGlass – The ideal solution for LEED® Projects

SPD SmartGlass was designed to maximise the use of natural daylight in buildings to improve the well-being of the people within. The use of SPD SmartGlass on commercial projects can help you achieve up to 8 LEED certification credits.

SPD SmartGlass can contribute to the following LEED credits:

Sustainable Sites

•  Credit 8: Light Pollution Reduction (1 Point)

Energy and Atmosphere

• Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance (Required)
• Credit 1: Optimise Energy Performance (1-19 Points)

Indoor Environmental Quality 

• Credit 6.2: Controllability of Systems – Thermal Comfort. (1 Point)
• Credit 7.1: Thermal Comfort – Design. (1 Point)
• Credit 8.1: Daylight and Views – Daylight (1 Point)

Preserve the view – one of your building’s greatest assets

Isn’t this one of the reasons you are designing your building with glass in the first place?