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Laminated glass makes travel more enjoyable

Spectacular, cylindrical dome of etched laminated glass soars above Los Angeles Gateway terminal

Laminated glass soars above a main terminal

Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects (EE&K) worked closely with laminator Northwestern Industries Inc. of Seattle to make extensive use of laminated glass containing DuPont^™ Butacite^® PVB in the redesign of the Los Angeles Gateway, the city's main transportation hub.

Principal at EE&K's L.A. office, Steve Nakada, described the job as "a once in a lifetime project."

A spectacular, cylindrical dome of etched laminated glass soars above a main terminal alive with newsstands, cafes and sweeping murals. Nakada explained: "Laminated glass was the only material to fulfill Southern Californian regulations for overhead safety glazing and was also perceived as the best anti-terrorist, security solution.

The geometric patterns on the L.A. Gateway atrium roof are inspired by Arabic wood screens and give an attractive, dappled lighting effect.

Aesthetically, the lacy, ceramic frit pattern within the Butacite^® PVB layer on the tetrahedron-shaped panes results in an attractive dappled lighting effect similar to that experienced under leafy trees. Functionally, it reduces heat gain year-round."

President of Northwestern Industries, Tim McQuade, commented: "The heat-strengthened laminated glass system on the dome has worked beautifully; in the five years since it was installed, there has been no leakage and it has withstood the warm climate and seismic activity excellently."