Although they might not realize it, most people in Australia have experienced the Viracon difference. In 1988 Viracon, one of the world’s leading architectural glass fabricators, partnered with Michael McGarry and International Building Products to bring its high quality glass products to the Australian market. Twenty years later, Viracon has provided glass to some of the country’s most prestigious buildings. Today, Viracon is not only celebrating this milestone anniversary, but also introducing innovative products that will set the stage for the next 20 years.
“In the past 20 years, Viracon has literally helped shape the city skylines of all major Australian cities,” says Michael McGarry, managing director of building products at International Building Products, Viracon’s Australian representative. “With the quality and range of glazing products Viracon offers, we have been able to offer unique solutions to architects, designers and façade consultants across the country.”
One of the partnership’s hallmark Australian projects is the spectacular Aurora Place, a landmark mixed-use development situated in the heart of Sydney’s central business district. Viracon and McGarry worked for more than two years to develop glass with the perfect mix of aesthetics and performance for the soaring tower. In the end, a combination of a laminated insulating glass unit incorporating low-iron glass, a custom high-performance coating on the third surface, a low-e coating on the fifth surface along with custom ceramic frit patterns mix to create a glowing curtainwall façade that complements the nearby Sydney Opera House.
“In this project and innumerable others, Viracon has been a constant resource in our marketplace and has made a genuine commitment to continuing to be a major player in the years to come,” says McGarry.
While celebrating their history in the country, Viracon is also introducing new products that will help set the stage for the coming years. In addition to expanding the popular VRE radiant low-e coating line, the company has also introduced the revolutionary VNE, ‘neutral low-E’ line. Viracon VNE combines the extreme low reflectivity with solar control, giving architects the high performance but neutral reflected color they’ve been asking for.
Also new to Viracon’s product line is the Guardian CrystalGray substrate. This high-light transmitting, neutral-colored glass substrate, when combined with various Viracon coatings, provides superior energy performance and appealing aesthetics.
“It has been and continues to be an incredible journey with the people from Viracon,” says McGarry. “It is truly an honour to be associated with such a fine group of people, and I trust our friendships and business relationship will continue long into the future.”