Vancouver Convention Center Expansion

The Vancouver Convention Center is a particular congress center and not only because the media used it to report on the 2010 Winter Olympics but since it is the first double LEED platinum convention centre in the world. 
With the opening of the new West Building in 2009, it now has 43,340m² of meeting space. The design architect for the expansion was LMN Architects of Seattle, in association with Vancouver firms MCMP Architects and DA Architects + Planners. In order to achieve its sustainability performance, it has been necessary to use the latest green technologies. 

What about the glazing?
Free, unhindered views of the breath-taking Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains, was a core aspect of the facade design. Hence the avoidance of a metal vertical structure to stiffen the facade rather the use of 19mm SECURIT-H safety glass stabilizers to support the solar control glazing system. The extra-clear DIAMANT glass imparts a fusion with the natural surrounding for the occupants. The solar control insulating units also use the low-iron DIAMANT glass. About 14,000 m² of this high performance thermal insulating glass were manufactured by GLASSOLUTIONS Austria in typical dimensions of 1.8 x 3.4 m. These provide a natural, color-neutral daylight but also provide optimum safety. All internal glass is made of laminated safety glass or SECURIT-H.