High Performance and Sustainability
HomeHigh Performance and Sustainability

Plus Options, High Performance and Sustainability

For the future of architecture

Energy saving, self-cleaning, and solar-reflecting technologies add value to architectural projects due to their high performance characteristics and sustainable building design.

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Energy Saving

Seves Glassblock’s patented ‘Energy Saving’ technology introduces low-emissivity glass plates and pressure controlled argon gas: plates are inserted between the glass faces to interrupt the thermal bridge, and argon gas is injected to reduce a block’s thermal transmittance to U=1.1 W/m2 K, saving energy and protecting the environment.

What is Energy Saving

Standard glass block is hollow one-chamber product, where the inner space is filled with under-pressured air. The thermal transmission (U-value) of such glass block is approx. 3.0 W/m2K. Energy Saving option brings a flat glass sheet insertion into the glass block, which eventually forms two-chamber system.

Energy Saving 1.1

The key stone of Energy saving concept is the coating with very low emissivity which is present on the inserted glass sheet. In Energy Saving 1.1 solution, both chambers are no longer filled with air, but with Argon gas. This noble gas is used for its thermal conductivity value, which is about the half of the value of common air. As a result, the total thermal transmission through the glass block is lowered about more than 50%.

Technical notes

– Resistance to compression along the side of the block: EN 1051-1
– Resistance to thermal shock: EN 1051-2
– Evaluation of the solar and luminous characteristics: EN 410
– Calculation of the U-Value: EN 673
– Sound insulation: EN 572-1.

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Self Cleaning

New self-cleaning technology reduces cleaning and maintenance costs. Invisible surface coatings contain hydrophilic properties that break down organic dirt and wash away rain water, so the glass maintains a cleaner appearance over time.

What is Self Cleaning

Self-cleaning is an application on glass with a special coating that has been deposited to activate the hydrophilic action. The neutral colour of the coating keeps the natural view of the glass and cleans the surface only with water. It is scratch resistant and durable in time.

Characteristics

The surface of glass block is applied with double-composition layer with strong hydrophobic ability.
The layers are very thin (just a few nanometers) and thus invisible.

Ideal applications

In vertical application, the most of the water (up to 90%) drains off the surface, which makes the glass surface naturally cleaner for much longer time. Self-cleaning technology is highly innovative solution for glass block constructions, which are installed in areas with difficult access for regular cleaning (such as top levels of façade) or in areas with permanent and very high humidity (such as shower boxes and bathrooms).

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Solar Reflecting

Solar-reflecting glass block is made with protective cover films for applications, that protect against UV radiation and reduce overheating in the summer.

What is Solar Reflecting

The solar reflecting option reduces heat loss from the building in the winter. In the summer it reduces overheating of the interior and also protects against UV radiation.

Composition

Glass block with Thermal insulation film and Protective cover film. Thermal insulation film: EWF NSN 70 – vacuum metallized solid polyester, indoors application

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Fire Resistant

Fire-resistant glass block offers high thermal stability, protecting both vertical and horizontal structures and facades from smoke and fire. Options include 30-, 60-, or 90-minute flame and gas resistance (E); insulation to limit heat transmission (EI); and resistance to heat transmission under load (REI) in accordance with international standards.

Seves Glassblock submits the “fire resistant” glass blocks to strict quality controls which raise their mean resistance and enable the stability of the panel and its heat insulation quality to be verified over time.

The case of Zlìn University

Lively colours and quality of light are the distinctive elements of the evocative project by Eva Jiřičná for the new University Centre in Zlín in the Czech Republic.
The building is structured around a covered central plaza delimited by two separate volumes, each composed of 4 storeys, with classrooms and facilities for the students and spaces for use by the teaching staff.
In this project, the need to respond to specific acoustic insulation requirements but above all to those of resistance to fire (obligatory requested by law in some public spaces) has been satisfied, while at the same time achieving the desired aesthetic effect, to endow the space with brightness, transparency and lightness.

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Sound Proofing

Acoustically-insulated glass block meets the international standards for sound noise limits by isolating environments and reducing background noise (up to 49 dB). Soundproofed glass can be selected according to project type such as residential, commercial, or industrial (homes, office buildings, libraries, retail stores, etc).

The case of Jose Alvalade Stadium

Third largest stadium in Portugal, the Jose Alvalade Stadium was projected by Tomas Taveira in 2003, ahead for the European Championship of 2004. The Stadium is the center of a biggest complex, which includes the club museum, a mall, a health club and several other entities.
In this massive project, glass blocks where used to provide acoustic insulation to the structure, combining at the same time creativity and aesthetics by giving color, brightness and vivacity to the building as a celebration of club colours.

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Thermal Insulation

It’s now possible to build architectural facades made entirely of thermallyinsulated, high-performance glass block designed to conserve energy and safeguard the environment. Horizontal Technology Integration (HTI) reduces heat dispersion through the glass block walls, while energy-saving (ES) technologies reduce a standard glass block’s thermal transmittance up to U=1.1 W/m2 K.

The case of the Reception Center of Taichung Updown Court

The Reception Center of Taichung, designed by Architect Gong Shu Zhang (Aura Architects & Associates), was built for the purpose of hosting exclusive events and weddings. The idea behind this project was to create an energy efficient and low maintenance building, giving the illusion of a peaceful oasis in the city.
The exterior of the Reception Center is made up of translucent glass blocks with a wave pattern, as a reference to nature. This allows to light up the interior with natural light, while providing thermal and acoustic insulation with a double result: energy efficiency and aesthetic pleasure.

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Light Control

Designers now have complete control over light direction and diffusion with the possibility of of transmitting solar energy and natural light on a 40-80% scale. Intrinsic light guiding properties enable the illumination of light towards specific orientations, while diffusing properties minimize direct light in favor of homogenous, diffused effects.

The case of Santo Volto Gesù

The parish complex of Santo Volto of Gesù (Rome) by Sartogo Architetti Associati is a building capable of melting the strong aesthetic aspect characteristic of contemporary architecture, with a mysterious and intimate atmosphere through the use of glass blocks and colour.
The load bearing structure of the building is made up of large concrete walls painted in strong colours and sections consisting entirely of personalized glass blocks, developed with the aim to create a structure made of unique characteristics. This new glass block was created with dual features: two different glass designs, smooth and bevelled, coupled together to provide soft, diffused light inside and guarantee privacy from the outside.

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Bullet Resistant

For applications that demand high safety standards, bullet-resistant glass block offers firearm protection up to the FB7 category (.308 Winchester), which includes the high-powered pistols and rifles used in international ballistic standard tests (EN1522).

The case of Amsterdam Stock Exchange

Project: F. G. Hilgeman De Steltenberg Groep
Glass block: different glass blocks combined
Quantity: 4.705 pcs

Our glass blocks are certified bullet proof (in class FB4) according to DIN 52290-2 and EN 1522 standards, thus giving you the security you need without comprising on natural light or project design.

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Pavers and Tiles

For realizing horizontal projects such as roofs, bridges, walkways, underground applications, and any external space that requires additional light, a wide variety of pavers and tiles with thermal insulation, mechanical and fire resistance, and the ability to handle higher loads are readily available. Additional options include solar panels that power LED lights, and the Marseille roofing tile, designed for safety and maximum transparency.

The case of Guillemins Railway Station

The new station by the architect Santiago Calatrava has 9 tracks and 5 platforms (three of 450 m and two of 350 m). All the tracks around the station have been modernised to allow high speed arrival and departure. The new station is made of steel, glass and white concrete.
There is no dark underpass because glass block paving in the platforms above lets natural daylight in. This is the key characteristics of Calatrava‘s designs: the idea that it should be possible for daylight to flood every single part of a structure.

Plus

Energy Saving ico-foglia

Self Cleaning ico-pulente

Solar Reflecting ico-riflesso

HighTech

Fire Resistant ico-fire

Sound Proofing ico-sound

Thermal Insulation ico-thermal

Light Control ico-ligth

Bullet Resistant ico-bullet

Pavers and Tiles ico-pavers