2. High End Interior
Sliding Glass Doors
Corp. Headquarters
in Barcelona
US Headquarters in
Elizabeth, NJ
Independent Dealers
throughout the US
3. Single Sliding Glass
Doors
Fix & Sliding Glass
Door
Synchronized Glass
Doors
Wooden/Metal
Sliding Door
5. is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems. Credits earned on completion of this program
will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for
non-AIA members available on request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing
in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and
services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
7. Will cover the latest in interior sliding
glass door technology in terms of
applications, design options, product
features and contribution to green design.
8. 1. Understand the latest technologies and offerings
in interior sliding glass doors and partitions
2. Understand the various glass options and their
benefits in sliding glass doors and partitions
3. Identify the relationship with interior glass doors
and green design and how its contribution to
LEED points
4. Explain how interior glass can increase human
productivity and well-being while reducing
energy consumption
9.
10. All doors are not created
equal
New generation of
frameless doors
Gaining traction in the
U.S.
Maximize opening
Creates open
environment
11. Most designers today
design with sustainability
in mind
Glass is a major design
element in green design
Controlling daylighting is
a major contributor to
reducing energy cost
14. There is an increase demand for sliding glass
doors with an expanding selection of products
Single Sliding Door
Specialized Systems
Self-closing
Telescopic
Corning simultaneous opening doors
20. Simultaneous opening
with panels
Operates with two,
three or four frameless
glass panels without
floor tracks
Creates clear opening
up to 16’
21. Elegant, open
concept environment
Floor to ceiling
Open at 90 degrees
Ideal for conference
rooms, offices or
corner bathroom
entrances
25. No holes required
Pressure clamps can hold
up to 400lbs of glass
Tempered and laminated
glass can be used
3/8” glass recommended
(<8’ doors)
1/2” glass recommended (8-
10’ doors)
26. Can minimize frame to
maximize opening
Framing can be as low
as 4% of the overall
material
Maximize daylighting
Large range of finishes
Light weight
Ease of recyclability
27.
28. Most of the industry is
now concerned about
sustainability
Most overestimate true
cost to create a
sustainable building
Studies show that and
upfront investment of
2% result in 20% life
cycle savings
29. Green buildings:
Consumes 26% less
energy
Have 13% lower
maintenance cost
Have 27% high
occupant satisfaction
Have 33% less
greenhouse gas emissions
30. Developed to assess a
buildings sustainability
LEED is the dominate system
in the U.S.
LEED is increasing in
popularity outside the U.S.
LEED is a point-based system
32. LEED-CI: Recognized
system for certifying
High-performance, Cost-
effective green tenant
spaces
Gives tenants and
designers the power to
make sustainable choices
for the interior
environment
33. Energy + Atmosphere
Materials + Resources
Interior Environmental Quality
Innovation + Design Process
34.
35. Contemporary look
and feel
Creates desired
space
Maximizes space
Extends daylighting
36. Increased productivity and well being
Interior glass walls extend natural daylight
Reduces the use of electricity
Increases occupant well-being & productivity
37. Glass walls expand
space visually
Frameless Glass
Doors:
Feels taller
More spacious
Alter scale
38. Contemporary design
Better communications in
the office environment
More natural light and
expansive outdoor views
Invites teamwork
Customizable & flexibility
39. Using modular glass
dividing walls
Less intrusive
More economical
Elegant, modern look &
feel
Minimal disruption
40. Usable by all people
ADA Compliant Doors
Wide enough for
wheelchairs
At least 32” wide
Thresholds can’t be
higher than ½” for all
doors except exterior
doors
Klein develops high quality Interior Sliding Door hardware for the architectural and design sectors. Our systems are designed to provide the most innovative solutions in the market, helping to enhance space and light in every project. At Klein all we design and manufacture is Interior Sliding Door Hardware…we have to be good!The company with headquarters out of Barcelona is providing to the US market the most innovative systems through its NJ distribution facility and large dealer network. The permanent inventory allows Klein to deliver any project in less than a week anywhere in the country with high quality service. Please inquire about our local dealers and showroom displays in your area of the US. Our talented dealers are able to deliver complete systems (Klein hardware, glass and installation) with only one point of purchase.Thanks to a distribution network in over 55 countries and our continuous innovation in R+D, the company has become a world leader in Interior Sliding Door Hardware. The extensive experience and knowledge that the company has acquired over more than 75 years are certified by the TÜV ISO 9001:2008 standard. Our wide range of exclusive products grants architects and interior designers the freedom to design their own interior spaces. Our "frameless" use of glass or wood brings a modern aesthetic to commercial, residential and hospitality projects. Klein's pursuit of excellence in design, development and quality has made the company a global leader. Once you experience the quality and design of our system you are certain receive a project result which will compliment and add value to any space.
In the past few years, there has been both a great demand for frameless sliding glass doors in commercial projects and a large number of offerings for sliding glass door systems. Today, architects can choose from a variety of applications from a single sliding door to specialized systems such as self-closing, telescopic, or corner simultaneous opening doors to enhance the working or living environment in spaces both large and small.All the above-mentioned systems feature glass panels that can be installed free of floor tracks, achieving both minimalist design and a more convenient application for projects with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Heavy glass panels are held by high-weight capacity pressure clamps, which avoid the need to drill holes in the glass. For best accessibility, sliding doors will have advanced ball-bearing technology that allows 400 pounds of doors to slide with less than 5 pounds of force, also an ADA stipulation.
Options here include barn doors with surface-mounted or recessed tracks.The tracks can be recessed into the ceiling for a clean-looking application, or left exposed for a more contemporary look. Pocket doors are also very popular for a more conventional design. Nowadays, tracks can not only be easily recessed and still allow access to the systemwithout disruption to ceiling or finished soffit, but also be left exposed with a compact 2-inch track that contributes to a minimalist design.A self-closing feature can be added, allowing the door to slowly close by itself after opening it manually. This helps prevent strong glass impact and thus glass breakage when the doors are closed or opened with force.
Sliding doors with glass sidelights add more glass to the project while helping to divide interiors with elegance and transparency. Some systems allow minimum hardware presence as tracks can be recessed and no jamb is required between the panels. Although the design features frameless glass doors, the gap between sliders and fixed panels is typically 3/8 inch for a better integration of the system.Sliding doors with a glass transom-mounted track is a popular choice in creating a modern design aesthetic while fitting a sliding door in an opening over 10 feet.
Telescopic glass doors are no longer a succession of tracks mounted next to each other by an inventive glass contractor but a sophisticated, ingenious, and well-developed system allowing the doors to slide simultaneously while operating only the lead door. Telescopic doors operate with two, three, or four frameless glass panels without any floor tracks, leaving a clear opening up to 16 feet. Many designers have already adopted this option in high-end settings for conference room entrances or hotel lobbies that provide an elegant reception area for their guests.
An elegant private space can be easily created within an open concept environment. Non-conventional door enclosures and floor-to-ceiling glass panels make for a new and dramatic way of entering work or living areas. This new generation of corner doors enables designers to create a glass cube with the unique feature of allowing the doors to open at 90 degrees simultaneously. When one door is activated, the other slides open simultaneously along an existing wall or glass sidelight. This high-concept application is ideal for conference rooms, management offices, or corner bathroom entrances in a striking opening that frees up other passageways. This installation increases overall transfer of natural light and air circulation over conventional walls.
For many years, tempered glass panels have been selected exclusively for commercial interiors at the expense of laminated glass, which can actually offer significantly more design options at a reasonable price. Both glass types offer aftermarket recyclability.
Tempered glass. Tempered glass has high resistance to both impact and temperature changes. This is due to its fabrication process in which the glass, which has been previously cut and prepared with holes and edge finishes, is subjected to temperatures up to 1,540°F, and then suddenly cooled through air tubes. Although tempered glass is stronger thanlaminated against direct forces, its use in commercial interiors is sometimes being reconsidered, as it can fracture into many pieces as a result of slight contact to edges or corners. In a second safety process, known as the heat soak test, glass can be subjected to another controlled high-temperature oven to improve the glass quality.Tempered glass design is also limited to clear or satin etching unless the project budget allows for an investment in a sophisticated new digital direct-to-glass printing technology that enables designs to be printed on glass quickly and permanently. That process begins with an image created by any current graphics design program. Once the electronic file is created, technicians match colors, scale the image, determine the proper panel layout, create printing files, and finally print edge-to-edge creative designs while permanently fusing the image into the glass. Images can be printed on glass panels up to 110 inches x 169 inches in thicknesses ranging from 3/16 inch to 1 inch.
Laminated glass. Currently regarded as “safety” glass, laminated glass consists of multiple (usually two) glass panels, each divided by a layer of PVB (polyvinyl butiral) and connected through high-temperature and high-pressure processes. In the event of glass breakage, the glass pieces are adhered to the PVB layer, making the site safer for passersby. One drawback is that if holes are drilled in the glass, the glass is weakened. Tempering the glass and then laminating it makes the glass both stronger and safer.Laminated glass is a good choice in terms of increased acoustics and privacy through use of interior films including PVB, which is used for applications that require strong binding, optical clarity, and adhesion to many surfaces. The clear and clean glass facings offer a consistent finish that can be tempered with etching to change the panel’s surface texture. Manufacturers offer a wide color range and designs can be printed on the film through elements in the glass such as tree leaves. Laminated glass also allows designers to use the switchable “intelligent” glass technology in which the glass finishes go from clear to opaque
While many architects believe holes must be drilled to hold glass panels, this is a misconception. Many systems are available that do not require holes. The top-hung pressure clamps used by some European manufacturers hold glass doors up to 400 pounds without requiring holes in the glass. An alternative is ultra-strong double-face tape that allows the glass contractor to easily surface mount elegant handles. As a result, both tempered and laminated glass can be used in sliding doors, leaving the choice dependent upon the desired design.There is also confusion in the industry in terms of the required glass thickness in commercial applications. The glass industry usually recommends 3/8-inch-thick glass for doors below 8 feet high and 1/2-inch-thick glass for doors between 8 and 10 feet high, in order to prevent bending of the glass in the taller panels. Although some glass contractors don’t recommend panels over 10 feet high in commercial interiors, 5/8-inch- or 3/4-inch-Photos courtesy of Shtieverthick glass can be used successfully for taller panels. Standard widths are 3 feet and 42 inches for either fixed or sliding interior glass panes. The panel weights are calculated as follows:3/8” glass with dimensions in inches (36” x 96” x 3/8”): (36” x 96”)/144) x 5 = 120 lb3/8” glass with dimensions in feet(3’ x 8’x 3/8”): 3’ x 8’ x 5 = 120 lb1/2” glass with dimensions in inches (48” x 120” x 1/2”): (48” x 120”)/144) x 6.5 = 260 lb1/2” glass with dimensions in feet(4’ x 10’ x 1/2”): 4’ x 10’ x 6.5 = 260 lbWeight/square foot is 5 lb using 3/8” glass and 6.5 lb using 1/2” glass.
If a large expanse of glass is the desired aesthetic, frames can be minimal. In fact, in the latest sliding glass door and moveable partition options, frame components consist of only 4 percent of the overall material used in the opening, which can be important to daylighting goals and other LEED criteria. The main upper extrusion that holds the glass panels is mainly made of aluminum with manufacturers offering a large range of finishes from clear anodized to any RAL color finishes to match the look and feel of the interior design scheme. This minimum framing provides aesthetics, durability, light weight, and ease of recyclability.
HAND OUT STUDYMost of the building industry is now concerned about sustainability. However, there is some question on the costs to achieve such green building goals. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development says that real estate and construction professionals overestimate the costs of green building by 300 percent—but experience does not bear that out. Going green shouldn’t be considered an additional cost as it actually tends to be more cost effective with time. A report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force maintains that an upfront investment of 2 percent in green building design, on average, results in life-cycle savings of 20 percent of the total construction costs—more than 10 times the initial investment. McGraw-Hill Construction Green Outlook 2011: Green Trends Driving Growth details where building owners have realized cost benefits from sustainably designed and constructed facilities.Operating costs decrease 13.6 percent for new construction and 8.5 percent for existing building projectsBuilding value increases 10.9 percent for new construction and 6.8 percent for existing building projectsReturn on investment improves 9.9 percent for new construction and 19.2 percent for existing building projectsOccupancy increases 6.4 percent for new construction and 2.5 percent for existing building projectsRent increases 6.1 percent for new construction and 1 percent for existing building projectsOwners of green projects report a 9.2 percent increase on average for retrofit/renovation green projects as compared to 9.9 percent on average for new projectsIn addition, the U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service states that compared to the average commercial building, green buildings consume 26 percent less energy, have 13 percent lower maintenance costs, 27 percent higher occupant satisfaction, and 33 percent less greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, the U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service states that compared to the average commercial building, green buildings consume 26 percent less energy, have 13 percent lower maintenance costs, 27 percent higher occupant satisfaction, and 33 percent less greenhouse gas emissions.
Green building rating systems have been developed to assess a building’s sustainability. The dominant system today in the U.S.— and increasingly outside the country—is LEED. Tailored to various market segments, LEED is a point-based system where building projects earn credits for satisfying specific green building criteria. There are 100 possible points spread across five major categories: Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR), and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), plus an additional 6 points for Innovation in Design (ID) and an additional 4 points for Regional Priority (RP). The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED certification as follows:Certified 40–49 pointsCONTINUING EDUCATIONSilver 50–59 pointsGold 60–79 pointsPlatinum 80 points and above
LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) is the recognized system for certifying high-performance, cost-effective green tenant spaces. It gives tenants and designers, who do not always have control over whole building operations, the power to make sustainable choices that can dramatically affect the indoor environment. LEED-CI was designed to work hand-in-hand with the LEED for Core & Shell certification system to prepare a building for environmentally conscious tenants. Individual tenants may seek LEED-CI for their spaces regardless of whether the building is LEED certified, provided it is a complete interior space distinct from other spaces within the same building in terms of at least one of the following characteristics: ownership, management, lease, or party wall separation. The candidate project must include a minimum of 250 square feet of gross floor area in a commercial interior and comply with environmental laws and minimum occupancy rates (50 percent for office interiors and 55 percent for hotel interiors based on time averaged over the performance period).
SHARE LEED DOCUMENT WITH AUDIENCEMaterials & Resources (to encourage using sustainable building materials and reducing waste)Building reuse (MR1.2): glass walls can be moved to renovate an existing space, reducing demolition in the old space and requiring fewer resources in the new space. Designers must maintain at least 40 or 60 percent by area of the existing non-shell, nonstructural components (e.g. walls, flooring, and ceiling systems). The minimum percentage interior component reuse for each point threshold:40% => 1 point60%=> 2 pointsConstruction Waste Management (MR 2.1). The use of glass versus drywall construction eliminates the waste as the glass is manufactured to fit perfectly in the opening while the drywall comes with standard dimensions that need to be cut on site with some materials left over. The minimum percentage debris left to be recycled or salvaged for each point threshold:50% => 1 point75%=> 2 pointsMaterials Reuse (MR 3.1, 3.2). Reuse of materials and products to reduce demand for virgin materials and reduce waste, thereby lessening impacts of extraction and processing of virgin resources. The minimum percentage materials reused for each point threshold:5%=> 1 point10%=> 2 pointsRecycled Content (MR 4.1 and 4.2). To increase demand for building products that incorporate recycled materials, thereby reducing impacts from extraction and processing of virgin materials. Sliding glass doors are 100 percent recyclable as are aluminum frames and can be reused to fit sustainable projects. The minimum percentage materials recycled for each point threshold:10%=> 1 point20%=> 2 pointsRegional Materials (MR 5.1, 5.2). To increase demand for materials and products extracted and manufactured within the region, thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources and reducing transportation impact. The requirements are to use a minimum of 20 percent of the combined value of construction and Division 12 (furniture) materials and products manufactured regionally within a 500 mile (800 kilometer) total travel distance from the project site using a weighted average determined by:(Distance by rail/3) + (Distance by inland waterway/2) + (Distance by sea/15) + (Distance by all other means) ≤ 500 miles [800 kilometers].Large glass manufacturers are located nationwide, allowing selection of a local manufacturer that will match the 500-mile requirement for two LEED points under this credit.Indoor Environmental Quality (to promote better indoor air quality and access to daylight and views)Construction Management Plan (IEQ 3.1 and 3.2): Glass walls are manufactured off site to fit the space, eliminating jobsite waste, dust, and required clean up.Low Emitting materials: Adhesives and Sealants (IEQ 4.1) All adhesives and sealants used in the building interior, (i.e., inside the weatherproofing system and applied on-site) must comply with the following requirements as applicable to the project scope: the South Coast Air Quality ManagementDistrict (SCAQMD) Rule #1168 and no emittance of VOCs. (1 point)Daylight and Views (IEQ 8.1 and 8.2): To provide occupants with a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, introduction of daylight and views into regularly occupied areas of the tenant space. Full glass partitions allow daylight to pass into and around interior areas and maintain a line of sight to the outdoors. 2 points can be earned according to the degree of occupancy:75% regularly occupied space => 1 point90% regularly occupied space => 2 pointsInnovation and Design Process (To address sustainable building expertise and design measures not covered under the five major LEED categories.)Innovation in Design (ID1). The use of sliding glass doors allows reducing the space needed to access a room, which allows the design of smaller spaces. The sliding systems are also easy to install or dismount, providing quick installation.
Glass walls and sliding doors may replace more traditional drywall or other less transparent and less flexible materials. In deciding to go with one material over another, architects may want to consider the advantages of interior glass.
Daylighting for Increased Productivity and Well-BeingInterior glass walls extend natural daylight deep into the space, and the sense of flow between interior spaces allows even more natural light and visual transparency. This daylight harvesting not only reduces the use of electricity, but increases occupant well-being and productivity—a claim supported by extensive research. In 1999, the HeschongMahone Group published a seminal study Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance. The study showed that students with the most daylighting in their classrooms progressed faster on math reading tests in one year than those with less daylighting. In 2003, the group completed a second suite of studies that found exposure to daylight positively impacted human performance in schools, stores, and offices. Among the study highlights: Office workers were found to perform 10 to 25 percent better on tests of mental function and memory recall when they had the best possible view versus those with no view. Furthermore, office workerself reports of better health conditions were strongly associated with better views. In one study, workers with the best views were the least likely to report negative health symptoms. Reports of increased fatigue were most strongly associated with a lack of view.Companies, too, claim positive effects of daylighting on their workers. Pennsylvania Power & Light, for example, reported that after completing building upgrades to use more daylight, absenteeism rates dropped 25 percent, productivity increased 13.2 percent, and energy costs declined 69 percent. In another instance, Lockheed Martin maintains that after daylighting its facility in Sunnyvale, California, the company achieved 15 percent higher worker productivity.
It’s a well known fact that glass walls expand a space visually. Frameless glass doors can give the impression of a taller, more spacious doorway than their framed counterparts, and the presence of expanses of glass in a room can alter the sense of scale, making even small rooms seem larger and more open. Hospitality designers faced with long, narrow hotel rooms are using glass partitions or glass sliding doors for closet and bathroom dividers to increase the sense of space and light—a tactic that is particularly effective for hotel bathrooms which are typically windowless. In addition, glass sliding doors retract, increasing the accessibility of a room, and because they are relatively thin and sleek, take up less space both visually and practically.
Consistent with Current Space planning TrendsGone—or going—are the red carpet areas with offices for senior managers. To many, the inner sanctum of private enclaves feels isolated and antithetical to collaboration with colleagues, a key driver of contemporary trends in space planning. For some years, the open office has been favored for reasons of better communication and a spirit of cooperation as well as more natural light and expansive outdoor views throughout the office. Promoting interconnectivity, the open plan provides the kind of interaction an office team needs, creating an ease of movement and workflow. Extensive intra and inter-departmental visual communication breaks down the psychological barriers between the different levels of function and assignments in a company.Influenced by the desire for teamwork, the miniaturization of technology, and mobility of the workforce among other factors, today’s office is more personalized, with customizable work scenarios in sleek, smart, and streamlined environments in which, trend watchers agree, natural light isessential. Customizable is key, with the ability to easily move or reconfigure workstations and conference areas to mesh with changing team sizes, corporate strategies, or work styles. Still, as every employee knows, there must be a balance between the public areas and the private workspace. Glass is a natural delineator of private space in an open office: glass partitions, movable glass walls, and sliding glass doors all allow natural to enter the space, while masking sound, and creating a separate space for concentration that workers need.In today’s economy, companies are subject to constant rounds of up-sizing, down-sizing and otherwise right-sizing, and consequently favoring modular office systems that can be easily dismantled and stored, re deployed, or added to. Many younger entrepreneurs with growing companies want flexibility, and the ability to expand their businesses easily using an existing template, even going as far as taking their investments with them to larger quarters. With a growing concern for true sustainability and end-of-life issues, owners are increasingly interested in interior materials that will not be relegated to landfills, prematurely or otherwise. With ultimate modularity and full recyclability, easily demountable glass doors and partitions fit this changing mindset.
Revamping to energize a space without re-inventing the wheel has become common in commercial interiors. Modular glass dividing walls or sliding glass doors with minimal framing are options that easily create an elegant, streamlined space with a contemporary feel,whether in an office setting or in private rooms and public spaces in a hotel. The process is less intrusive and more economical than a typical renovation project. Modular partitions and doors can be easily added without disrupting business operations. Installation is straightforward, without the necessity to cut, or paint materials on site, eliminating delays and inconvenience and hazards during construction. Telescopic doors offer pre-mounted and pre-tensed transmission systems for quicker and easier assemblies. Because modular systems are considered furniture from a tax perspective, they enjoy accelerated depreciation.
Compatibility with ADA/Universal DesignUniversal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal design is key in the commercial sector, particularly in the hotel industry, which caters to a broad audience of all ages and physical challenges. Architectural features such as sliding glass doors meet these criteria while broadening access to the physical environment for numerous types of users, including those with disabilities who use wheelchairs or scooters, those pushing a baby carriage or stroller, individuals pushing carts or carrying packages or luggage. Wider openings—up to 16 feet for telescopic doors—and clear openings free of floor tracks also contribute greater accessibility.Basic ADA requirements relating to sliding doors and moving partitions include the following. ADA-compliant doors must be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, with the law requiring entryways to be at least 32 inches wide. Doorways deeper than 24 inches must have a minimum clear opening width of 36 inches. In addition, doorway thresholds can’t be higher than half an inch for all doors other than exterior doors (top-hung glass sliding doors don’t require any floor tracks). The floor or ground around the door must be level and clear of obstructions, with changes of level on the floor surface no greater than 1/16 of an inch. The force for pushing or pulling open a sliding door or partition cannot be more than 5 pounds. For further information on ADA requirements, architects should see www.ada.gov
A LIGHT, BRIGHT SPACE ACHIEVES SPACE PLANNING GOALS.One of the most important design goals was to achieve a wide and an open-plan working space that would promote intra- and inter-departmental visual communication without barriers between the different levels of duties and appointments within the IDOM company.The widest working spaces accommodate meeting rooms or team working areas, rather than individual offices. In order to avoid psychological barriers between the offices, the rooms and the open space, IDOM opted against a traditional front office glass door including a fixed glass and a swing door for glass sliding doors to remove those psychological barriers. The company chose a telescopic and synchronized system to integrate the different spaces and to reach the set goal. The doors specified have a wider opening than others on the market and provide a clear passageway without any floor hardware or mechanism. In order to maintain the integrated concept and accommodate building needs in some offices, either recessed tracks or exposed tracks were used with a special black anodized aluminum finish that matches the dark ceiling.
A LIGHT, BRIGHT SPACE ACHIEVES SPACE PLANNING GOALS.One of the most important design goals was to achieve a wide and an open-plan working space that would promote intra- and inter-departmental visual communication without barriers between the different levels of duties and appointments within the IDOM company.The widest working spaces accommodate meeting rooms or team working areas, rather than individual offices. In order to avoid psychological barriers between the offices, the rooms and the open space, IDOM opted against a traditional front office glass door including a fixed glass and a swing door for glass sliding doors to remove those psychological barriers. The company chose a telescopic and synchronized system to integrate the different spaces and to reach the set goal. The doors specified have a wider opening than others on the market and provide a clear passageway without any floor hardware or mechanism. In order to maintain the integrated concept and accommodate building needs in some offices, either recessed tracks or exposed tracks were used with a special black anodized aluminum finish that matches the dark ceiling.
TOWARD SUSTAINABLE, VISUALLY IMPRESSIVE INTERIORS The newest technology in sliding glass doors and partitions brings the architect a rich palette with which to create impressive interiors that contribute to LEED points and overall sustainability. With the ability to maximize and increase the flexibility of a commercial space, while injecting energy and elegance in a way that is budget conscious and consistent with ADA requirements, interior glass doors are clearly a compelling option to today’s designers