GLASS FOR FAÇADE 2019

43 SAINT-GOBAIN BUILDING GLASS / 42 / SAINT-GOBAIN BUILDING GLASS The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai is the largest building project to date in the United Arab Emirates equipped with smart glass. A very efficient sun protection solution was required to protect the books, and a comfortable atmosphere had to be created for the library visitors without restricting the view of the surroundings. The SageGlass Climaplus Classic dynamic solar control glass proved to be the ideal solution for these requirements. By automatically or manually adjusting the tint, the glass also reduces heat input and, as a result, the energy and cost of cooling the building. The 60,000 square meter library is located in the Al Jaddaf district on the Dubai Creek estuary. Its exterior is reminiscent of an open book on a traditional Arabic «Rahle» reading desk. Spread over the entire cubature, the self-tinting glass accounts for 5,700 square meters or 72 percent of the total glass area: On the two-sided, flatly rising base of the building with the public functional areas, the glasses are located in several window bands arranged parallel to the floor. The central, seven-storey main volume with the cantilevered superstructure rises above it. Dynamic glass was also used here. Furthermore 3,500 square meters of COOL-LITE XTREME 50/22 II were used, a high-quality solar control glass. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library houses eight specialist libraries with over 4.5 million books in printed and digital form. With more than 100 art and cultural events and an expected nine million visitors per year, it will enrich Dubai’s cultural and literary life and be another important attraction for locals and tourists. © Shutterstock MOHAMMED BIN RASHID LIBRARY SAGEGLASS © AT THE MOHAMMED BIN RASHID LIBRARY IN DUBAI: MAKING KNOWLEDGE READABLE ART AND CULTURE Location Architect Glass processor Dubai, United Arab Emirates Architectural Consultancy Group; competition design: Arat, Siegel und Partner (asp) together with Obermeyer Planen + Beraten and ACG SageGlass and Gulf Glass Industries, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates © Shutterstock Façade with SageGlass Climaplus Classic dynamic solar control glass and COOL-LITE XTREME 50/22 II Product