PVB interlayer film CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

for laminated glasssafetyacoustic

Confronted with the challenge of building a light-weight, clearly defined, and aesthetically pleasing entrance to Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences, the architects of the project knew laminated glass with Vanceva® color interlayers was their answer. In order to more clearly define the main entrance to the building complex, the architects wanted to create an entrance that visually contrasted with the surrounding buildings. The unusual hexagonal color-glazed façade became their unique solution, with the surrounding neutral buildings serving as visual foil to the dynamic design. Other key elements in the building’s form were also accentuated through the playful pattern and lively hues. The use of laminated glass was an essential part of this design’s success. The visually stunning material allowed the transmission of daylight into the interior while reflecting the sky and trees on its polished surface. The wide range of transparent and opaque colors allowed by the Vanceva® color system enabled the creation of a homogeneous façade that concealed the building’s structure. The use of glass also created an additional dimension in the space, as the building appears to change form as the light shifts from day to night. Categories: Facades , Health & Education , Europe/Middle East/Africa Location: Cardiff Civic Centre, UK Date Completed: 12/9/2011 Architect: Rio Architects Glass Laminator/Supplier: Solaglas Specialist Facades (John Harvey + Steven Nacson) Photography: Eldon Lewis​