Completed in August of 2022, Thirty75 Tech in California's Santa Clara Valley is an architectural showstopper that has garnered nearly two dozen awards for its blend of beauty, functionality and energy-sufficiency.
The stunning building, described as radiant, shimmering, animated and spiritual, was the vision of architects Paul Tang and Courtenay Bauer of Verse Design Los Angeles.
A primary focus of the design was on energy efficiency with thoughtfully designed features that reduced sun glare and heat gain.
Verse designed a louver system to protect against solar heat gain while providing floor-to-floor glazed curtain walls. The louver system was developed with parametric software to reach maximum energy efficiency, to elevate the façade's aesthetics and artfully conceal a maintenance catwalk.
After an intense color selection process, the Verse team ultimately chose a metallic champagne for the louvers and curtain wall in PPG DURANAR™ liquid coating, which meets FGIA/AAMA 2605 performance specifications, the highest standard for durability, quality, and longevity of coated aluminum for architectural applications. The color features metallic flakes that color shift in changing light, viewing angles and louver rotation.
To create an integrated look for the building’s facade, the team specified the same color for the curtain wall to marry the two systems.
"While the exterior features only one color, the iridescent effect of the mica pigments looks like multiple hues for a cohesive, yet dynamic and dramatic look," explained Courtenay.
While the final look is everything that Verse wanted, it did come with some technical challenges, particularly since two different applicators were used for the project, both members of PPG’s Certified Applicator Program™.
Initially, the louvers coated by Bonnell Aluminum and the curtain wall coated by Hydro Extrusions looked vastly different because metallic pigments can vary with application process, method and equipment.
To ensure a uniform look across all finished parts, PPG technicians stepped in to tailor the pigments and formulations for each applicator. The result was precise and perfect color, illustrating PPG's technical expertise, color-matching capabilities and commitment to developing colors that work on every type of application equipment.
