Insulated / Architectural Glass
High-Performance Glazing Systems for Demanding Commercial & Institutional Applications
Specialty insulated and architectural glass installations requiring careful specification, precise handling, and experienced installation — delivered by a glazing contractor with the engineering depth and field capability to execute complex glazing systems correctly.
Project: Museum of Science
Location: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02113
Architect: Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc.
General Contractor: D.C. Beane & Associates
INSULATED & ARCHITECTURAL GLASS
Museum of Science, Boston
A & A Window Products was selected to renovate the existing curtain wall overlooking the Charles River at the Museum of Science. This project presented many challenges, including the removal of existing glass panes that weighed over 1700 pounds each. To accomplish this difficult task, we utilized a custom staging layout that allowed the use of specialty glazing equipment. After demolition we installed a brand new curtain wall system glazed with electrochromatic glazing, an electronically tintable glass that allows you to control sunlight without blinds or shades. The Museum of Science can now dynamically manage glare and heat gain while maintaining a view of the outdoors.
What Is Insulated & Architectural Glass
Insulated and architectural glass encompasses a broad range of high-performance glazing products designed to meet specific thermal, acoustic, structural, or aesthetic requirements in commercial and institutional buildings. These include standard insulated glass units, high-performance low-e coatings, laminated safety glass, large-format architectural glass, electrochromatic and dynamic glazing systems, and specialty configurations requiring custom fabrication or unusually precise handling and installation.
Unlike standard commercial glazing, these systems often involve higher per-unit costs, longer lead times, more complex handling requirements, and tighter installation tolerances — making contractor selection and field execution critical to project success.
Scope of Capabilities
- Insulated glass unit specification and installation for commercial and institutional buildings
- Large-format and heavy glass handling and installation
- Electrochromatic and dynamic glazing system installation
- High-performance low-e and solar control glazing
- Laminated and safety glass installations
- Custom curtain wall glazing for specialty architectural applications
- Specialty staging and rigging for oversized or heavy glass units
- Glass replacement within existing curtain wall and storefront systems
- Coordination with architects, facade consultants, and specialty glass manufacturers
- Shop drawings and submittals for specialty glazing systems
Why A&A Window Products
Field Capability for Complex Glass Handling
Large-format, heavy, and specialty glass installations demand more than a standard glazing crew. A & A has the equipment, staging capability, and field experience to handle oversized and unusually heavy glass units safely — including the removal and replacement of 1,700-pound glass panes at the Museum of Science, one of the most technically demanding glass handling challenges in our project history.
Engineering Coordination
Specialty glazing systems require detailed shop drawings, careful system coordination, and close collaboration with architects and glass manufacturers. A & A's in-house engineering department provides the technical support needed to translate complex glazing specifications into accurate, buildable installations.
Electrochromatic & Dynamic Glazing Experience
A & A has hands-on installation experience with electrochromatic glazing systems — a category of dynamic glass that relatively few commercial glazing contractors have actually installed in the field. This experience is a meaningful differentiator for project teams specifying advanced glazing technology on institutional or high-performance commercial projects.
Supplier Relationships
A & A works with leading window and architectural glass manufacturers and suppliers, giving our team access to a broad range of specialty glazing products and the technical support needed to specify and install them correctly.
Typical Applications
- Institutional and cultural buildings with high-performance glazing requirements
- Corporate headquarters and commercial office buildings with architectural glass features
- Healthcare and life sciences facilities with specific acoustic or thermal glazing needs
- University and research buildings with specialty curtain wall or glazing systems
- Historic buildings requiring custom or matched glass specifications
- High-rise residential towers with large-format or high-performance glazing systems
- Buildings undergoing curtain wall renovation where specialty glass upgrades are incorporated
Discuss Your Project
Our team works with architects, facade consultants, construction managers, and building owners to evaluate specialty glazing options, coordinate with manufacturers, and deliver technically complex glass installations across New England.