Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC)

Having received the contract to build an open and modern building for the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC), the renowned communication science institute of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the architect’s office of Maki and Associates developed a compact block completely of glass. Wood was used to complement the glass shell and add warmth and liveliness to the cool, sober façade material. This was accomplished with OKAWOOD insulating glass which has timber grids in the cavities between the panes, as well as OKAWOOD façade elements with timber veneer supplied by OKALUX. The wood not only affords a comfortable atmosphere and mild daylight in the interior but also protects from glare and too much heat.
In order to make the design theme of transparence visible not only in the interior but for the main part, from the exterior, the building shell was conceived completely of glass. Glass, however, not only appears open but also cool and sober. That is why the architects added the element wood to the façade in some areas giving the building a warm atmosphere. In addition to the adjustable wooden panels which protect the employees from glare, the architects used OKAWOOD functional glass from OKALUX. The planners selected OKAWOOD insulating glass with timber grids of alder for both of the stairwells located at the façade. The glass panel is of single-pane security glass on both the outside and the inside with filigree timber insert in between. Warmly tinted daylight enters the room through the grid while the timber insert serves as a screen and glare protection. As the panels are filled with inert gas and the interior pane is coated with a low-e coating, the glass elements have good heat insulating values. OKAWOOD insulating glass make up a total of 74 square meters of the stairwell façade.