Holt Renfrew
A first of it's kind, Convex Panels of individual quilted glass pillows, rectangular shaped, are displayed in this high-end facade at Holt Renfrew, Vancouver. Using 2 layers of intricately patterned glass, Nathan Allan developed a new technology that allows for a "Hand in Glove" fitting of 2 identical panels. After the casting process, the panels are Resin laminated together, creating a one-panel safety glass feature, which also allowed for laboratory testing of wind load and seismic activity. The Convex shape of the glass surface creates many different lighting effects on both the exterior and interior of this beautiful retail store. "Fire-Frosted" opacity panels provided an elegant facade on the building's skin, while "Clear Vision" panels create a spectacular display and phenomenal view. This unique process and pattern was designed specifically for Holt Renfrew.
Approximately 100 sets of panels were produced, in various sizes up to, and exceeding, 6'0 x 10'0.
Convex Glass was created in partnership with Janson Goldstein of NYC. The Convex panels were supplied to Inland Glass of Kamloops BC, who secured the panels into their unitized framework system. Inland Glass, in conjunction with Glastec of Coquitlam BC, installed the units onto the skin of the building.
New patterns including Squares, Circles, Triangles, and Custom Patterns, are currently being developed at Nathan Allan.
Look for many upcoming architectural publications, featuring our Convex Glass at Holt Renfrew, within the next 6 months. Convex Glass will also be featured in an upcoming Engineering Feature, based out of the UK, which specializes in Glass Wonders.
Client: Holt
Renfrew, Vancouver, BC
Architect: Janson Goldstein and Front Inc, NY
Photo: Michael Desjardins Photography
