Dow has won the 2019 Glass Magazine Award for Best Feat of Engineering for the exhibit titled “Gravity.” The exhibit was a collaborative effort that brought together the latest in product technology with leading-edge glass architectural design techniques.The prestigious Glass Magazine Awards program recognizes the best products and glass applications the commercial, retail and fabrication markets have to offer.
Upside-down Exhibit
The Dow team worked with Define Engineers, Carpenter | Lowings, and seele to create the exhibit, which featured an upside-down car suspended from two sheets of super-thin glass swinging like a giant pendulum, during the 25th glasstec International Trade Fair in 2018 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
A key feature of “Gravity” is the transparent connection between the glass and the stainless steel brackets made with
DOWSIL™ TSSA Transparent Structural Silicone Adhesive from Dow, which eliminates the need for mechanical fixing through the glass, allowing for a continuous glass surface. This advanced structural adhesive is 10 times stronger compared to conventional structural glazing silicones and is crystal clear, enabling the highly demanding adhesion challenge while maintaining clear glass aesthetics.
Potential of Adhesives
“Gravity” showcased potential in glass processing, adhesives, high-precision engineering and manufacturing in a highly innovative, efficient and aesthetic design. Free of mechanical fixings, the visually and physically light structure hides its load-bearing capacity. The thin glass stretched under the dynamic load, which eliminated all bending and ensures the glass behaves as a membrane – the most efficient way to carry a load.
“We were very enthusiastic about the fun idea of hanging a 2-ton car upside down, held only by thin glass fixed with a structural adhesive,”
said Sigurd Sitte, Senior TS&D Scientist for Dow Silicones Deutschland GmbH. “It was a technical challenge that demonstrated the outstanding performance of DOWSIL™ TSSA Transparent Structural Silicone Adhesive.”
Collaboration to success
“Creation of the ‘Gravity’ exhibit was a definitely a team effort,”
said Lori Floyd, Commercial and Customer Experience Communications Manager for Dow High Performance Building. “Extensive collaboration is what makes it possible to pull together design and construction tasks like this.”
Guided by the central design trio of Define Engineers, Carpenter | Lowings and seele, “Gravity” was viewed by its contributors as an efficient and focused process, with a collaborative spirit characterized by a high level of trust and technical knowledge and respect for the value of good design from all parties.
Main collaborators: Define Engineers and CL Carpenter I Lowings.
Supporters: Seele, TriPyramid, sedak, DOW, BSYS Ltd.,Glaston
Additional Acknowledgements:
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The tripod and podium were fabricated in Bulgaria by BSYS, Ltd.
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The bonding material was provided by Dow, along with technical advice and sponsorship.
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TriPyramid Structures provided technical and design advice for the central pivot detail and supported and sponsored the exhibit.
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The glass was supplied by Glaston of Finland, fabricators of glass processing equipment who were able to supply thin heat-strengthened sheets of glass.
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The glass lamination with SGP was carried out by Sedak.
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Dr. Robert Akerboom provided his support during the process as part of the team.
Source: Dow