Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library renovation weaves the great legacy of the civil rights champion and the renown of the architect, Mies van der Rohe, into one modern space.

To accommodate the building’s original slender frames for single-ply glass, the new glazing needed to meet modern energy, security and acoustic requirements. The building’s frames, integral to the architect’s commitment to simplicity, could not accommodate a typical insulated glass unit. By laminating a solar control coating to Saflex Clear PVB interlayers in a two-ply glass makeup, the team achieved several
objectives.

Saflex Clear offers protection from accidental breakage — the glass adheres to the interlayer and will not fall onto the busy street below. The acoustic properties of laminated glass also shield outside noise, providing a quieter environment for study and reading. Finally, the PVB interlayer increases UV protection, shielding library patrons and furnishings from damaging rays.

Categories: Curtain wall , Safety , Security , Health & education , North america