A Guardian SunGuard project is racking up the awards, thanks to the collaborative design of ZGF Architects LLP.

Natural light pours into ​the glazed, two-story lobby of the St. Charles Cancer Center in Bend, Oregon, as well as the floor-to-ceiling windows on the perimeter. Guardian Industries Corp.’s high performance SunGuard AG 50 low-E coating on clear glass helps reduce glare and control solar heat gain, so patients and employees can enjoy the multiple views without elevated indoor temperatures.

“Research shows access to natural light in the healthcare setting helps reduce stress, improve emotional well-being and alleviate pain*,” explains Brian Schulz, Commercial Product Manager, Guardian Industries Corp. “Congratulations to ZGF on designing a building that blends beauty, peaceful views and a fully functional healthcare space.”

The St. Charles Foundation estimates individuals needing cancer care in the Central Oregon region are expected to increase 50 percent by 2025. The St. Charles Cancer Center is the solution to this growing need for area treatment options. Designed from the ground up by ZGF Architects with patient, family, staff and community input, the 16,000-square-foot facility brings comprehensive cancer prevention, treatment and recovery services under the same roof.

This thoughtful design has led to several honors for ZGF, including:

• World Architecture NewsAwards Healthcare Winner
• Modern Healthcare Silver Award
• Healthcare Design Showcase Award of Merit
• ENR Northwest Best Projects Best Project in Healthcare
• Interior Design Best ofYear Small Healthcare, Finalist
• International Interior Design Association Oregon Chapter Juror’s Choice Award

The award-winning facility is oriented toward the southwest, perfectly positioned to capitalize on breathtaking views of the mountains.

With a visible light transmission of 50 percent and a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.33, SunGuard AG 50 glass also assists with glare and solar heat gain management, so patients and employees can enjoy those views without elevated indoor temperatures. The glass performance also contributes to the building’s overall energy management. SunGuard AG 50 was fabricated by Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope and installed by Bend Commercial Glass.

The Guardian SunGuard glass product line for commercial applications offers excellent solar control and a wide variety of colors and performance levels. SunGuard glass products provide innovative, leading solutions for appearance, economics and energy efficiency, and are available through an international network of independent Guardian Select fabricators. For more information, visit guardian.com/commercial.

*The Benefits of Glass, The University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, 2012, Guardian Industries Corp.