Argonne National Laboratory Uses SageGlass in New Facility

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A new state-of-the-art research facility at Argonne National Laboratory is using dynamic glass from SAGE to save energy and improve the way people experience daylight in the building.

The project is one of the first commercial buildings to incorporate electrochromic glass from SAGE’s new high-volume manufacturing facility. Located next to its global headquarters in Minnesota, SAGE’s new facility is able to produce dynamic glass in high volumes and in larger commercial, architectural sizes at an affordable cost.

The Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility at Argonne will provide researchers with the most advanced technology for protein science experiments in the nation. Chicago-based architectural firm SmithGroupJJR designed the APCF to attain LEED-Gold certification and provide an ideal environment for scientific collaboration, while also being highly energy efficient. To achieve that goal, architects designed a south-facing curtain wall with more than 2,000 square feet of SageGlass, which will harvest maximum daylight while reducing glare and heat gain.

According to a National Renewable Energy Laboratory study, maximizing daylight in buildings not only saves energy through reduced lighting and heating load requirements, but improves the physiological and psychological well-being of occupants. SageGlass also provides an unobstructed view to the forest preserve that surrounds the campus, while enabling natural light to penetrate deeper into indoor work spaces typically deficient in natural light. Together, these environmental enhancements will improve the well-being of Argonne scientists and enable them to be more productive.

The 60,000-square-foot facility is being constructed by Maryland-based Clark Construction Group. The APCF will house up to 76 researchers, as well as support staff and visitors.

“The APCF at Argonne National Laboratory will incorporate many advanced technologies in this world-class facility,” said Jeffrey Sims, program manager at Argonne. “We are excited to include rapidly emerging design elements such as electronically tintable glass. This feature will improve daylighting in the building and enhance productivity and the work experience for our scientists and staff.”