--- title: "Project Showcase: RIDC Mill 19" description: RIDC Mill 19 is home to robotics, manufacturing and high-tech companies – and features Solarban® 60 glass and skylights made with Solarban® 70 glass by Vitro. image: https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hubfs/VCN.jpg --- [![VCN_Hor_RGB](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VCN_Hor_RGB.png?width=320&height=56&name=VCN_Hor_RGB.png "VCN_Hor_RGB")](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: RIDC Mill 19 Posted by [Vitro Architectural Glass](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/author/vitro-architectural-glass) on Sep 6, 2024, 11:33:36 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (RIDC) Mill 19** PITTSBURGH, PA *![230927CG_MSR_TenXTen_Mill19_012](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/230927CG_MSR_TenXTen_Mill19_012.jpg?width=5500&height=3669&name=230927CG_MSR_TenXTen_Mill19_012.jpg)* *Preserving the superstructure of an historic Pittsburgh steel mill, MSR Design inserted three interconnected buildings, and one of the country’s largest solar roof arrays, now home to robotic, life sciences and AI companies inside the Regional Industrial Development Corporation’s campus.* | **Vitro Architectural Glass Products:** | *Solarban®* 60 Glass*, Solarban®* 70 Glass | | --- | --- | | **Architect/Designers:**     | MSR Design Minneapolis, MN R3A Architecture Pittsburgh, PA | | **Owner:** | Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) | | ***Vitro Certified®* Fabricators:** | Trulite Glass and Aluminium Solutions Cheswick, PA | | **Glazing Contractor:** | Gurtner & Sons Pittsburgh, PA | | **Photographer:** | Corey Gaffer | ***Project Background***  Formerly a thriving steel mill, the Jones & Laughlin (J&L) Steel Company significantly supported the War effort and helped make Pittsburgh the world’s largest steel-producing city in the 1950s. With the decline of the city’s steel industry over time, eventually all that remained of J&L Steel was the Mill 19 site on the Monongahela River. When Pittsburgh’s Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) purchased the property, the developer was in a quandary over whether to demolish or somehow restore the abandoned mill. “There was the 1,500-foot-long rusting metal structure that was an eyesore, but also an icon. So, we were confronted with the challenge of how we preserve the icon and turn it into something positive,” relates RIDC President Dr. Don Smith. Fortunately, MSR Design came up with a great idea — preserving the steel’s exoskeleton, building a large solar array across the length of the roof and constructing new infrastructure for robotics, life science and AI companies.  “We briefly considered fully occupying the interstitial space between building and structure, but felt we needed to preserve the longitudinal views down the entire length,” relates Jeryl Aman, AIA, director of operations, MSR Design, Minneapolis. So in lieu of recladding and building out the full volume of the old mill, three new connected buildings were erected inside the existing superstructure and the sloped roof was converted into a massive 110,000 square-foot solar array producing more than two million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. The team optimized the depth of the floor plate to be within 75 feet for enhanced daylight autonomy, to capture better air conditioning efficiencies and create a separation between the heritage shell structure and new buildings. ![230927CG_MSR_TenXTen_Mill19_039](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/230927CG_MSR_TenXTen_Mill19_039.jpg?width=665&height=443&name=230927CG_MSR_TenXTen_Mill19_039.jpg) Solarban*® 60 glass windows and* Solarban*® 70 glass skylights provide transparency and daylighting* *within the interstitial space between the historical steel cladding and new tech buildings.* In order to create a comfortable, daylit space, much thought went into the selection of the glass. Based upon energy modeling performance data and a requirement to meet *Cradle to Cradle*® sustainability criteria, the architects went with *Solarban*® glass from Vitro Architectural Glass. The 2023 AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE®) Top Ten Award Winner and LEED®-NC Gold-certified project is enclosed with *Solarban*® 60 glass windows and *Solarban*® 70 glass skylights. MSR Design curated the varying sizes and shapes of the windows to create a rhythm of different scales that references the existing 25-foot structural bay. The daylighting design also achieves the project’s goal of 65% spatial daylight autonomy. The architects designed monumental interior vertical stairs to cantilever toward the superstructure to link occupants within the common spaces to the historic steel exterior. “We wanted the experience of the superstructure to be connected to the workplace environment of the interior, and the rhythm of the windows provides those regular opportunities throughout,” explains Aman. In addition, “We provided more glass in certain areas where we felt a more activated ground floor might someday take hold.” The resulting enclosure design delivers mottled light filtering down from the bifacial solar array overhead, daylighting to 88% of the regular occupied areas and exterior views of the Monongahela River, downtown Pittsburgh and growing redeveloped Hazelwood Green district. The *Solarban*® 60 glass windows block 61% of the sun’s solar energy while ushering in 70% of the visible light. And with the *Solarban*® 70 glass skylights, 73% of the solar heat gain is kept out and 64% of the light shines through. Balancing performance and cost, the design limited the height of the glass panes to no taller than 143 inches. This way the 144 ¼-in. lites are supported without paying an oversized glass premium and losing an inch of glass transparency through the insulating glass unit (IGU) fabrication process. Reflecting on the project, Aman notes, “The project provides a public promenade to help bridge the community’s connection to the new development and the artifact that is the mill structure. The amount of public circulation, gathering, recreation and reflective space for a privately developed and leased office development is remarkable.” Commenting on the unique statement this creative adaptive reuse project makes, RIDC Senior Vice President of Development Tim White comments, “The marriage between the new and the old, the industrial past and the new high-tech, super energy efficient buildings made a great statement for where the site was and where the site is going.” To learn more about *Solarban*® 60 glass and *Solarban*® 70 glass or to find a member of the *Vitro Certified*® Network, visit [vitroglazings.com](http://vitroglazings.com) or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (887-6457). ©2024 Vitro Architectural Glass. All rights reserved. *Solarban*® and *Vitro Certified*® are registered trademarks owned by Vitro. LEED® — an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ — is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council®. #### 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)