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The Australian Catholic University's new headquarters in Melbourne

Daylight equals profit, says Pilkington

Pilkington Australia says that the increased daylight laminated glass allows into buildings has definite positive effects on human productivity. Company spokesman Brett Woods said: "We have spent many years studying the effects of increased daylight on people's working and efficiency. Our research indicates that increased daylight results in increased productivity of between 6-16 percent. Considering that people represent 80-90 percent of the cost of a business (while energy costs, for example, represent just 3-4 percent and rental typically about 5 percent) we can see the vital impact of increased daylight on a company's productivity and profitability."

Increased daylight can help all types of people, from office workers to university students. Architects Woods Bagot of Sydney worked with Pilkington on a new laminated glass façade for The Australian Catholic University's new headquarters in Melbourne, connecting architecture and technology to give the University a new façade that has prominence and presence. Formerly enclosed and introspective, Woods Bagot transformed the building to be refined and light-filled. Pilkington's Solar E™ grey laminated glass provides comfort and sharp legibility for people inside and outside the building.

Pilkington's Solar E™ grey laminated glass provides comfort and sharp legibility for people inside and outside the building.

Woods said: "We developed Solar E™ laminated glass especially for this project. The product's characteristics of good light transmission, low reflectivity and good solar control make it a highly appropriate choice given the role of the glass to effectively mediate sunlight and provide thermal performance. "A central glazed atrium also uses Solar E™ to provide "a heavenly wash of daylight without incurring solar loading penalties," according to Woods.

Laminated glass also provides noise reduction and the screening of UV rays.

Laminated glass offers the potential for a vast range of options in regard to the solar performance of architectural glazing. The material also provides safety, enhanced security, noise reduction and the screening of UV rays.