--- title: "Project Showcase: Hanna Gabriel Wells Architects" description: The San Diego offices of Architects HGW used Solarban® 70 glass by Vitro Architectural Glass to create an integrated lighting and ventilation system. image: https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hubfs/HGW-04-copy.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](http://vitroglazings.com). --- ## Project Showcase: Hanna Gabriel Wells Architects Posted by [Vitro Architectural Glass](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/author/vitro-architectural-glass) on Sep 28, 2023, 10:32:47 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Architects Hanna Gabriel Wells (HGW) ![HGW-04-copy](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HGW-04-copy.jpg?width=600&height=396&name=HGW-04-copy.jpg) Architects HGW transformed a former gas station and auto repair shop into California’s first net-zero-energy building with the help of *Solarban*® 70 glass by Vitro Architectural Glass. | **Vitro Architectural Glass Product:** | *Solarban® 70* Glass | | --- | --- | | **Architect:** | Architects Hanna Gabriel (HGW), San Diego, CA | | **Owner:** | Architects Hanna Gabriel (HGW), San Diego, CA | | ***Vitro Certified*™ Fabricator:** | Trulite Glass and Aluminum Solutions | | **Glazing Fabricators:** | Vitro America, Oceanside, CA | | **Glazing Contractor:** | Sunset Glazing, La Mesa, CA | ***Project Background***  A building can undergo a lot of changes in a half-century, but it is hard to imagine a more dramatic example of reuse and revitalization than the San Diego offices of Architects HGW (Hanna Gabriel Wells). That’s where a 4,500 square-foot auto repair shop once devoted to serving California’s still-insatiable car culture has been transformed, with the wizardry of its owners and a little help from *Solarban*® 70 (formerly *Solarban*® 70XL) glass by Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG glass), into the Golden State’s first net-zero energy building.  Situated in the heart of San Diego’s cozy Ocean Beach community, the Architects HGW headquarters became a historic first, thanks to two things: the firm’s loyalty to the neighborhood and a fruitful alliance with their local utility company, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).  Randy Hanna, Jim Gabriel and Matt Wells established their namesake practice in Ocean Beach in the late 1990s and, after nearly a decade in the neighborhood, Gabriel says he and his partners were determined to establish a permanent home there. “We really like the community,” he explained.   The idea began to take fruition in 2007 when the three agreed to buy a 50-year-old auto service station, based partially on the appeal of its big service bays and connection to the local streetscape. “It was a natural fit for what we wanted to accomplish,” Gabriel explained. “It was one big room – like a large, old-fashioned drafting room – and there were no partitions. It was really kind of a blank slate for us.”  The three also saw the potential to reinforce their fundamental commitment to sustainable building. “It \[was\] an opportunity to showcase a lot of things we preach to our clients,” Gabriel added. A series of discussions with SDG&E encouraged the partners to think beyond mere sustainability to something even bigger. The result of their collaboration is the first commercial building in San Diego County that actually creates more energy than it uses.  ![HGW-16-copy](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HGW-16-copy.jpg?width=618&height=414&name=HGW-16-copy.jpg) *Solarban*® 70 glass helps connect the headquarters for Architects HGW to the local streetscape and floods workspaces with natural light. One of the building’s major highlights is a welcoming look of wide-open transparency that seems to belie its historic energy performance. “Being on street-level, we wanted to be open and connected to the daily life that takes place there,” Gabriel explained. To achieve that objective, Gabriel and his partners specified *Solarban*® 70 glass, a solar control, low-e glass developed by Vitro Glass. “We were familiar with \[*Solarban*® 70 glass\] and liked it for its high solar performance and, at the same time, it’s clear appearance,” he said.  With visible light transmittance (VLT) of 64 percent and a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.27, *Solarban*® 70 glass enabled the architects to maximize natural light and open their space to the community, while negating the potential heating impact of southern California’s renowned sunshine.  In addition to being a primary visual element on the building envelope, *Solarban*® 70 glass also is part of an integrated lighting and ventilation system that incorporates operable windows, fans, skylights and shades to enhance indoor air quality and bathe more than 90 percent of the work space in natural light. Gabriel said that artificial lights are rarely used and, because of the natural air flow and aggressive heat gain reductions provided by the windows and skylights, there was no need to install air conditioning. Those two attributes alone made the new HGW headquarters nearly 50 percent more energy-efficient than a standard building of its size.  To further offset energy use, the HGW team equipped the office with high efficiency LED task and photosensitive lighting, ENERGY STAR computers and appliances, and a solar thermal water heating system. Countered by a 16-kilowatt photovoltaic system mounted on its rooftop, these energy conservation measures enable the building to return more than 100 percent of the energy it consumes to the SDG&E grid.  The Architects HGW building is LEED® Gold certified, not just for its lack of energy consumption, but for other environmental attributes as well. For instance, the architects reused more than 90 percent of the original repair shop structure and diverted 80 percent of the construction waste from local landfills. Low-flow toilets and faucets, together with waterless urinals, reduce indoor water use by 46 percent and xeriscaping and drip irrigation cut outdoor water use by more than 60 percent.   Now that the building is occupied, Gabriel and his partners couldn’t be more pleased with the final result. From a comfort and performance standpoint, the building is “just terrific” he said.    *To learn more about* Solarban*® 70 glass, visit* [*vitroglazings.com*](http://vitroglazings.com/) *or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (887-6457).*  ©2023 Vitro Architectural Glass. All rights reserved. *Solarban*® is a trademark owned by Vitro. *Vitro Certified*™ is a trademark owned by Vitro. LEED—an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a trademark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.   #### 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)