PITTSBURGH, Dec. 3, 2020 – 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^® R67 (formerly 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^® R67 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^® R67 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^® R67 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^® R67 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.

To learn more about Solarban^® R67 Optigray^® glass and the full range of aesthetic and performance options available from Vitro Glass, visit www.vitroglazings.com or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS.

Editor’s note: High-resolution photography is available upon request.

About Vitro Architectural Glass

Vitro Architectural Glass, part of Vitro, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: VITROA), is the largest glass producer in the Western Hemisphere, manufacturing a range of industry-leading, energy-efficient, high-performance products such as Solarban^®, Sungate^® and Starphire Ultra-Clear^® glasses. Committed to continually raising the industry standard for sustainability, Vitro was the first U.S. glass manufacturer to have its entire collection of architectural glass products earn Cradle to Cradle Certified^® status and the first North American manufacturer to publish third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for flat glass and processed glass products. Additionally, all Vitro architectural glass products meet the Top 20% Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) material category based on standards set by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Vitro operates seven glass production facilities across North America, four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada and one of the world’s largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit VitroGlazings.com.

Media Contact:
Robert J. Struble
Vitro Architectural Glass
412-820-8138
rstruble@vitro.com
www.vitroglazings.com