Blueprint for Collaboration: Case Studies for Collaboration

During the Blueprint for Collaboration event on the GlassBuild Main Stage, representatives from glazing contractor Giroux Glass and their project team partners, including GlasPro and Pulp Studio, discussed the challenges and successes on recent projects during the Case Studies for Collaboration Lunch & Learn. The session spotlighted how early involvement of glazing subcontractors improves glazing system design and installation. NGA invited the architect and design community to the event, and the session was AIA accredited. Speakers included Abdul Aziz Zoua and John Cox of Giroux Glass; Kirk Johnson, Pulp Studio; and Stephanie Aldrete, GlasPro.

The Metro Crenshaw: MLK Station in LA includes multiple metro stations with glass surrounds featuring art glass renderings from various local artists.

“Some artists visited our shop many times over the course of the project,” said Aldrete. “They want to know that the final product looks like their art. By communicating early and often, we could ensure them the original vision would come to life, but not always the way the artist expected.”

The Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library features curved glass storefronts, arched glass façade and an angled skylight. 

Johnson discussed the interior printed glass on the project. “Collaboration means managing expectations,” said Johnson. “All parties want to weigh in but there are requirements with glass. The more you discuss and manage expectations in the beginning the better.”

“With the complex projects the glazier is so important to be able to see issues down the line ahead of time in the design phase,” said Zoua. “Building players and architects should not wait until it's built to award the glazing project. We can avoid costs and issues by knowing what's wanted and how to execute with glass.”