Educational
An intricate curtain wall system
Glass with graphics and patterns is a solid partnership

Location
New York, NY
Application
Vision Glass
Industry
Educational
Type of Glass
Graphics
Overview
Located on the Columbia University Campus, the Barnard College Diana Center is an award-winning project designed by New York Architects - Weiss/Manfredi. The seven-story multi-use arts center features a stunning architectural decorative glass facade which functions as both a standout design element and an energy-efficient exterior. When designing the building, Weiss/Manfredi aimed to remove visual boundaries, unifying the architecture and landscape and creating a space filled with natural light.
To further differentiate the design, Weiss/Manfredi installed the 1100 decorative glass panels in a varied pattern, creating an intricate curtain wall system. Although the complexity of the pattern defies easy recognition, there are only three types of decorative glass panels used in the building's curtain wall. It illustrates a portion of the chaos theory: simple systems can breed complexity. The result is a luminous decorative glass facade that emulates the brick and terra cotta colors of the neighboring buildings, while incorporating a modern twist.

A beautify and elegant stand out design

The glass pattern on the facade emulates the brick and terra cotta colors with a modern twist
"The colors of the silkscreened ceramic frit glass exterior enter into a conversation with the traditional buildings. The idea is a building that changes over the course of a day."
Glass In Action
The patterned glass panels used in the installation were designed with vertical striations graded from opaque to transparent to limit visual barriers and maximize daylighting. Design partner Marion Weiss of Weiss/Manfredi describes the effect as “The colors change depending how the light and its angle play with the etching, shifting from dull copper brown to copper red. The colors enter into a conversation with the traditional buildings. The idea is a building that changes over the course of a day.”
The recipient of awards from a national design competition, the National AIA, and Progressive Architecture, the Diana Center at Barnard College establishes an atmosphere that encourages social, cultural, and intellectual interactions on campus.
Our Team

A look was created that changed over the course of a day
Architect
Weiss/Manfredi
Contractor
Enterprise Architectural Sales, Inc.
Sales Rep
Goldray Glass
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