UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH HILLMAN LIBRARY
PITTSBURGH, PA
Solarban® 72 Starphire® glass by Vitro helps transform Hillman Library into a brighter, more open campus destination
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Vitro Architectural Glass Products: |
Solarban® 72 Starphire® Glass |
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Architect: |
GBBN Architects |
| Vitro Certified® Fabricator: |
Press Glass Inc. |
| Glazing Contractor: |
HB Reynolds Inc. |
| General Contractor: |
Rycon Construction |
| Photographer: |
Jim Cunningham |
Project Background
The University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library has been reimagined for a new generation of students and study. The renovation removed the perimeter study carrels and private offices that once blocked light from reaching the interior, clearing the way for a space that feels brighter, more open and connected.
At the center of the redesign are three-story, staggered curtain wall blocks glazed with Solarban® 72 Starphire® glass by Vitro. Selected by GBBN Architects, the combination delivers high clarity and solar control needed to brighten the lobby while supporting comfort and energy performance.
In this application, Solarban® 72 Starphire® glass provides visible light transmittance (VLT) of 68% and a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.28. That balance helps pull natural light deeper into the building while limiting solar heat gain, supporting a brighter interior, improved comfort and efficient overall performance for students, faculty and visitors.
The triple-silver-coated, solar control low-e glass also aligns with the project’s broader sustainability goals without compromising transparency or visual quality.
Just as important, the glazing helps define the experience of the renovated space. A monumental staircase draws people through the space, while the redesign makes room for audio/video production suites, a café, a writing center, a bookbinding lab, outdoor terraces and an open makerspace with virtual visualization, 3D printing and laser cutting.
On track for LEED® Platinum certification, the project also includes a 250 kW rooftop solar array, rainwater capture, native plant landscaping, low VOC materials, LED lighting and a green roof.
For more project details, visit Vitro's Project & Case Study Gallery.
