For over a century, Rolex watches have been recognized as classic timepieces that feature high-quality design and precision timekeeping. When it came time for the historic company to expand to a new office tower in downtown Dallas, it was only fitting that the new space reflected its values. Rolex Tower accomplished its ambitious design goals with an eye-catching façade that features Solarban^® 67 Optigray^® glass by Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass).

Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates of Tokyo and Harwood Design Factory (HDF) of Dallas, Rolex Tower rises from a multi-tiered garden of reflective pools, native plantings and a hand-chiseled quarry stone wall that connect the company’s new headquarters to the natural environment. This eight-story structure is abruptly staggered to maximize daylighting and city views and to accommodate its expanded outdoor terraces and garden sanctuaries.

Rolex Tower achieves its captivating shape largely through its concrete and stone construction, but Solarban^® 67 Optigray^® glass plays a major role in accomplishing its striking fusion of nature and architecture. According to Gregory A. Oehlers, executive director of architectural sales for Tristar Glass, Solarban^® 67 Optigray^® glass was selected for the project because of its ability to enhance views while harmonizing with the landscaping and foliage around the tower.

“Solarban^® 67 Optigray^® glass possesses a very soft blue-gray exterior color, which is very pleasing to the eye,” Oehlers explained. “It also has low exterior reflectivity and it is extremely energy-efficient, which suited the architect’s penchant for sustainable design.”

Optigray^® glass is specially formulated to function as a substrate with Solarban^® solar control low‑e coatings, which provide excellent solar control performance and transmit and reflect colors with remarkably crisp fidelity. When topped with a Solarban^® 67 glass coating in a 1-inch insulating glass (IGU) with clear glass, Optigray^® glass offers visible light transmittance (VLT) of 38% and a solar gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.24.

Tristar Glass, a member of the Vitro Certified™ Network from Grand Prairie, Texas, was the glass fabricator for Rolex Tower. The company collaborated with curtainwall engineer Southern Glass and Mirror (SMG) through the Vitro Concierge Program™ to ensure timely glass delivery, which was sequenced to match the installation schedule.