Products shape architecture and design, Image Courtesy Guardian Glass, LLC
Products shape architecture and design, Image Courtesy Guardian Glass, LLC

Architectural products and materials shape how we experience design. The right materials not only create more beautiful facades, but also contribute to a building’s functionality, sustainability, and longevity. Today, architects and designers must navigate a complex landscape of options to find products that meet their project's specific needs. This is where strategic partnerships with manufacturers become invaluable.

Facade materials are some of the most visible and distinct parts of a building. Between consultants, clients, and vendors, the process for designing and constructing a facade can become extremely complex. Among these manufacturers working with Acelab are Guardian Glass, Tion Cladding Systems, and VIVA Railings, each bringing unique strengths and innovative products to the table.

Guardian Glass: Innovating with Clarity and Performance

Clifford L. Allenby Building, Image Courtesy Guardian Glass, LLC, Photo credit Connie Zhou
Clifford L. Allenby Building, Image Courtesy Guardian Glass, LLC, Photo credit Connie Zhou

Guardian Glass is one of the largest glass producers in the world, contributing to iconic glass facades internationally. Guardian’s vast offering of glass substrate and low-e coating combinations can meet an array of architectural specifications, as their products enable aesthetic innovation while also focusing on enhanced thermal and solar performance. Guardian Glass’s stewardship vision is focused on helping people improve their lives by providing products and services they value more highly than the alternatives, and to do so responsibly by consuming fewer resources. Guardian has also developed a suite of bird-friendly glass options that help substantially reduce the threat of bird collisions with exterior facades. Guardian recognizes that each project is unique and that glass selections can be influenced by a myriad of different variables and design preferences. They have also developed a Resource Hub and Glass Analytics suite of tools to provide architects and designers project-specific, custom content in real time that allows these individuals to make more informed product selections.

Guardian Glass’s partnership with Acelab enables architects to easily access detailed specifications, performance data, and support for these and other innovative glass products. By leveraging this platform, architects can quickly find the right glass solutions for their projects, ensuring optimal performance and design outcomes.

Tion Cladding Systems: Revolutionizing Facades with Versatility

Tion’s adjustable hanger is the ideal attachment system for PV facades. Image Courtesy Tion Cladding Systems
Tion’s adjustable hanger is the ideal attachment system for PV facades. Image Courtesy Tion Cladding Systems

Tion Cladding Systems is a manufacturer specializing in advanced cladding solutions that combine aesthetics, durability, and sustainability. Known for custom-engineered solutions that enable innovative approaches to facade design, Tion’s products meet the highest standards of performance and design flexibility.

Tion Cladding Systems offers products like the ‘T’ Hanger, designed for advanced rain screen solutions. Tion's fully adjustable hanger allows for variable depth continuous insulation and can connect with any cladding panel type. Working with challenging new construction and recladding projects needed some new thinking and flexibility. That is where Tion excels. Built for use with any substrate, this hanger allows for the same on the wall multidimensional adjustments as their other products.

Through their collaboration with Acelab, Tion Cladding Systems ensures that architects have seamless access to product specifications, installation guidelines, and technical support. The platform simplifies the process of selecting the right cladding solution, enabling architects to focus on creating beautiful and sustainable building facades.

VIVA Railings: Enhancing Safety and Style with Precision

CSU Water Resource Center, Image Courtesy Viva Railing
CSU Water Resource Center, Image Courtesy Viva Railing

VIVA Railings is a premier manufacturer of complete railing systems known for their exceptional quality, turnkey solutions, and commitment to safety. Their pre-engineered and maintenance-free systems are designed for longevity and ease of use. With a focus on delivering customizable solutions, VIVA Railings has become a trusted partner for architects looking to enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of their projects.

VIVA Railings' partnership with Acelab allows architects to access comprehensive product information, including CAD drawings, BIM files, and technical specifications. VIVA products are designed, engineered, fabricated, and installed all in-house; using this platform helps further streamline the selection and specification process. In turn, it ensures that architects can efficiently integrate VIVA Railings' products into their designs while meeting safety and code requirements.

Connecting Architects with Leading Manufacturers

Acelab features a diverse array of manufacturers and products across the platform.
Acelab features a diverse array of manufacturers and products across the platform.

In the ever-evolving field of architecture, the importance of selecting the right materials and partnering with reliable manufacturers cannot be overstated. Products play a pivotal role, serving as the building blocks that bring creative visions to life. The right products can enhance a building's energy efficiency, ensure the safety and comfort of its occupants, and contribute to its overall performance. By carefully selecting and integrating the best products, architects can achieve designs that are both beautiful and practical, ultimately creating spaces that stand the test of time and meet the evolving needs of users.

Access to detailed product data, performance metrics, and support materials enables architects to make informed decisions and streamline their design processes. The platform's user-friendly interface and comprehensive database make it easier than ever for architects to connect with manufacturers and specify products that meet their project's unique requirements.

Guardian Glass, Tion Cladding Systems, and VIVA Railings exemplify the value of manufacturer partnerships in shaping design, and they each offer innovative products that enhance design, performance, and sustainability. Through their collaboration with Acelab, these manufacturers provide architects with the tools and support needed to bring their visions to life.