--- title: "Project Showcase: Calgary Central Library" description: When it opened, the Calgary Central Library already was being celebrated for its beauty as well as its brains, thanks in large part to an extraordinary glass-and-metal façade featuring Solarban 60, Solarban 72 and Starphire Ultra-Clear glasses by Vitro Architectural Glass. image: https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hubfs/vcn%20blog%202.jpg --- [![VCN_Hor_RGB.png](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VCN_Hor_RGB.png?width=320&name=VCN_Hor_RGB.png "VCN_Hor_RGB.png")](https://blog.vitroglazings.com/vcn) # *Vitro Certified*™ Newsletter ### The *Vitro Certified*™ Newsletter is a quarterly newsletter for glass fabricators, laminators and window manufacturers within the *Vitro Certified*™ Network. For more information about the *Vitro Certified*™ Network, visit Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass) at [VitroGlazings.com](https://www.vitroglazings.com). --- ## Project Showcase: Calgary Central Library Posted by [Vitro Architectural Glass](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/author/vitro-architectural-glass) on Jan 31, 2020, 8:11:43 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![vcn blog 2](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/vcn%20blog%202.jpg?width=711&name=vcn%20blog%202.jpg) ## Calgary Central Library ### Calgary, Alberta, Canada | **Owner:** | Calgary Public Library | | --- | --- | | **Architects:** | Snøhetta; Oslo, Norway | | **Vitro Architectural Glass Products:** | *Solarban*® 60 Glass *Solarban*® 72 Glass *Starphire Ultra-Clear*®Glass | | **Glazing Contractor:** | Ferguson Corporation; Calgary | | ***Vitro Certified*™ Fabricator:** | Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope; Calgary | ### Project Background When it opened as one of *Architectural Digest*’s most anticipated buildings of 2018, the Calgary Central Library in Alberta, Canada, already was being celebrated for its beauty as well as its brains, thanks in large part to an extraordinary glass-and-metal façade featuring *Solarban*® 60, *Solarban*® 72 and *Starphire* *Ultra-Clear*® glasses by Vitro Architectural Glass. Variously described as resembling an open book, snowflakes, snowdrifts or ice cracking on a lake, the library’s curved exterior surface is outfitted with a hexagonal pattern of alternating clear, glazed and ceramic-fritted glass and iridescent aluminum panels — an arrangement meant to convey the ideas of collective and community embodied in one of the city’s most treasured assets. A more functional purpose of the alternating panels, according to project architect Dennis Rijkhoff, is to diffuse light inside the building while preserving views outside. “The design process focused on providing a variety of conditions for people to enjoy in each space – the goal being that users can choose whether to sit in the sun or shade,” he explained. After studying how daylighting and views affected interior spaces and the overall composition of the façade, the architect settled on a mix of 60% insulating metal panels and 40% triple-pane insulating glass units (IGUs). Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (OCBE), a member of the *Vitro Certified*™ Network, fabricated three different types of triple-pane IGUs for the project, each featuring a single lite of *Starphire Ultra-Clear*® glass sandwiched between individual panes of *Solarban*® 72 and *Solarban*® 60 glasses.  The finished IGUs were then supplied to Ferguson Corporation, which engineered, assembled and installed the library’s curtainwall. A big part of that job included fabricating 462 uniquely shaped unitized panels, which were painted in three different colors for various interior and exterior surfaces and infilled with clear, glazed or fritted IGUs.” The panels, which took eight months to fabricate, were placed randomly around the building to create a consistent aesthetic and to enable each side to function as its front. While the intricate design of Calgary Central Library is impressive on its own, the volume of glass, the unusual nature of the building and the need to meet a complex delivery schedule made the project a perfect fit for the *Vitro Concierge Program*™.   Julia Unitas, manager of the program, said the logistical details of the project required months of continuous oversight, including precise forecasting and production scheduling at Vitro Glass’s Fresno, California and Salem, Oregon plants. “We had to transfer *Starphire*® glass from Fresno to Salem for coating, and we needed to time it in a way that accommodated transfers and coating schedules to meet the contractor’s draw rate,” Unitas explained. “Which type of glass are they taking first? Are they taking multiple types simultaneously? If so, in what quantities? Those were just a few of the considerations we had to manage over an eight-month period while producing and delivering almost 200,000 square feet of glass.” Created for and provided exclusively by members of the *Vitro Certified*™ Network, the *Vitro Concierge Program*™ is designed to ensure supply-chain success for large or complex construction projects fabricated with Vitro Glass products. Since its opening, Calgary Central Library has earned numerous accolades for its design, including the national 2020 AIA Architectural Award and national 2019 AIA/ALA Library Building Award, granted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Library Association (ALA). More importantly, the building is fulfilling its mission to serve as an open and welcoming learning and community center, attracting more than 200,000 visitors in its first three weeks and nearly 1.75 million visitors in its first full year of operation. To learn more about *Solarban*® 60, *Solarban*® 72 and *Starphire Ultra-Clear*® glasses and the Vitro Concierge Program, or to find a member of the Vitro Certified Network, visit [www.vitroglazings.com](http://www.vitroglazings.com) or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (887-6457). **Visit our Project & Case Study Gallery to [download the full case study](https://projects.vitroglazings.com/calgary-central-library).**   *Solarban®, Starphire ®*and *Starphire Ultra-Clear*® are registered trademarks owned by Vitro *Vitro Certified™* and *Vitro Concierge Program™* are trademarks owned by Vitro #### Newsletter Archive:  - [June 2026](https://info.vitroglazings.com/a-trusted-and-proven-partnership-2) - Project Showcase: Hillman Library, Pittsburgh, PA - Technical Forum: *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat  - Get to Know Vitro: Meet Johnny Lorigan - [March 2026](https://info.vitroglazings.com/a-toast-to-25-years) - Project Showcase: Lincoln Yards, Chicago, IL - Technical Forum: *Vitro Certified*® Network Online Training Resources - Get to Know Vitro: Honoring Women’s History Month - [December 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-drives-meaningful-progress-1) - Project Showcase: Nashville Airport Hilton, Nashville, TN - Technical Forum: The Growing Role of Glass Reflectivity in Buildings - Get to Know Vitro: New Roles for Chris Fronsoe and Trevor Hall - [October 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-drives-meaningful-progress) - Project Showcase: 700 Santana Row, San Jose, California - Technical Forum: *BirdSmart*® Bird Safe Glass Research & Testing - Get to Know Vitro: Logan Tautkus-Berry - [June 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/were-a-glass-half-full-kind-of-company) - Project Showcase: FirstHealth Cancer Center - Technical Forum: FramingFactor™ - Get to Know Vitro: Ben Rider - [March 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/2025-has-already-taken-off) - Project Showcase: National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA - Technical Forum: Bird Safe Glass Advancements and Trends - Get to Know Vitro: Dan Plotnick - [January 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/2024-was-a-certified-success-for-vitro-architectural-glass) - Project Showcase: Hugel Welcome Center (Lafayette College) - Technical Forum: Center of Glass vs. Framing Performance - Get to Know Vitro: Patrick (PJ) Campbell - [September 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-certified-network-members-q3-check-in-1) - Project Showcase: RIDC Mill 19 - Technical Forum: Methods for Improving U‑Value - Get to Know Vitro: Larry Withrow - [July 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/second-quarterly-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Amazon HQ2 - Technical Forum: Sustainability Certifications - Get to Know Vitro: Patty Fisher - [March 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarter-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: UC San Diego Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood - Technical Forum: Condensation - Get to Know Vitro: Fernando Diez - [January 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarterly-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: BancFirst Tower  - Technical Forum: Embodied Carbon  - Get to Know Vitro: Meet Erin Casci  - [October 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q3-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members-1) - Project Showcase: Hanna Gabriel Wells Architects  - Technical Forum: Pros and Cons of Gas-Filled IGUs  - Get to Know Vitro: Bill Davis  - [June 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q2-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Pittsburgh Produce Terminal  - Technical Forum: Framing and Performance Values  - Get to Know Vitro: Chris Fronsoe  - [April 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q1-2023-update-for-vitro-certified-members) - Project Showcase: Pikes Peak Summit House  - Technical Forum: Color Rendering Index  - Get to Know Vitro: Heather Brion  - [December 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/fourth-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members-2022) -  Project Showcase: 345 4th Street  - Technical Forum: Vacuum Insulating Glass FAQs  - Get to Know Vitro: Andre Kenstowicz  - [September 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/third-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: 70 Rainey  - Technical Forum: Codes & Climate Zones  - Get to Know Vitro: Dan Sutton  - [July 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/second-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Moody Center - Technical Forum: *Titan* oversized glass - Get to Know Vitro: Annissa Flickinger  - [March 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: KOI Sky Residences  - Technical Forum: Embodied Carbon  - Get to Know Vitro: Mike Hammond  - [December 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/fourth-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members?hs_preview=wuFvkqXz-68122100225) - Project Showcase: Watershed  - Technical Forum: *Vitro Certified*™ Network Professional Training Modules  - Get to Know Vitro: Adam Polcyn  - [October 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/committing-to-innovating-sustainably) - Project Showcase: Congress Square  - Technical Forum: *VacuMax*™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG)  - Get to Know Vitro: Nathan McKenna  - [June 2021](https://1977288.hubspotpreview-na1.com/_hcms/preview/content/48387080968?portalId=1977288&_preview=true&cacheBust=0&preview_key=bfZWBlMX&from_buffer=false) - Project Showcase: McMaster University  - Technical Forum: BIPV Q&A - Get to Know Your New Sample Order Website - Get to Know Vitro: Lauren Black, Ph.D.    - [March 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/new-product-update-and-more) - Project Showcase: HOPE Tower  - Technical Forum: Glass Options for School Safety  - Get to Know Vitro: Emily Losego  - [November 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/innovation-and-our-people) - Project Showcase: Old Chicago Post Office  - Technical Forum: Keys to Diagnosing Glass Breakage  - Get to Know Vitro: Steve Marino  - [August 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-vcn-september-1-2020) - Technical Forum: Bird-Safe Buildings Act Closer to Law  - Project Showcase: Rolex Tower  - Get to Know Vitro: Martin Bracamonte  - [May 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/here-for-each-other) - Decontaminating Glass Surfaces  - Personnel Training Series  - Contactless Bills of Lading (BOL) Now Available  - [January 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-solarban-acuity-opportunity-1) - Technical Forum: The Latest in Bird Safe Glass Legislation  - Project Showcase: Calgary Central Library  - Get to Know Vitro: Paul Bush  - [September 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-solarban-acuity-opportunity) - Our *Solarban*®-Coated *Acuity®* Glass Journey  - Technical Forum: Specifying Heat-Rated Glass  - Project Showcase: Kinects Tower  - Get to Know Vitro: Julia Giba  - [July 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/invested-in-our-people) - Technical Forum: Silicone Strength  - Get to Know Vitro: Joanne Funyak  - Project Showcase: 181 Fremont  - [March 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/two-new-chapters) - Technical Forum: Eliminating the Stress Over Strain Patterns  - Project Showcase: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine  - Get to Know Vitro: Carlisle, PA  - [January 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/eyes-on-quality) - The Hallmarks of Product Quality  - Vitro Survey: Insights on General Contractors  - Get to Know Vitro: Salem, Oregon  - [August 2018](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-future-is-here) - Technical Forum: Diagnosing Glass Breakage  - Project Showcase: UCSD Jacobs Medical Center  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Carlisle, PA  - Gearing Up to Transport Jumbo Glass  - [March 2018](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-certified-newsletter-march-2018) - Technical Forum: Focusing Beyond Glass Construction in Specifications  - Project Showcase: BioSteel Centre  - Technical Articles to Share with Your Customers  - Vitro, on the Road  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Wichita Falls, Texas  - [November 2017](https://info.vitroglazings.com/365-days-in) - Technical Forum: Temporary Film Fabrication Guidelines  - Project Showcase: ProMedica Health and Wellness Center  - Lunchtime Training Seminars  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Fresno, California  - [August 2017](https://info.vitroglazings.com/introducing-the-vitro-certified-newsletter-1) - Technical Forum: New Vitro Glass EPDs Are An Industry First  - Project Showcase: 7 Bryant Park  - Your Show, On the Road  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: A Preview  #### Recent Stories:  [![Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png?width=353&name=Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png "Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png")](http://www.vitroglazings.com/en-US/Glass.aspx)