SageGlass, a dynamic glazing solution with adaptable tinting capabilities was used on the facade of a new building at University of Newcastle’s Honeysuckle City Campus Development. This window glass works with an intelligent control system to adapt its tint throughout the day according to occupant and climatic needs.

Designed by multi-disciplinary practice EJE Architecture, Q Building houses the School of Creative Industries and the University’s Innovation Hub.

“The University wanted the building to represent their commitment to innovation to the wider community, and their ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025,” EJE Architecture director Anthony Furniss explained.

“Because of the orientation of the building, the original design saw the facade wrapped in a sun shade,” Furniss said. However, the solution didn’t offer the desired transparency. “We were after a technology that would stop the sun coming in when we needed it to, and offer plenty of vision of the internal structure when we didn’t. SageGlass from George Fethers was the magic bullet.”

SageGlass – Electronically tinted dynamic window glass

The innovative glazing solution tints dynamically in response to the intensity of the sun, which allows complete protection from harsh light and heat while providing full transparency when the sun moves or goes down.

“SageGlass enables the building to cool by reducing the amount of heat entering the building,” Furniss said. “That decreases the need for air conditioning and saves energy.”

Choosing SageGlass for the facade was also aligned with the overarching design objective of representing innovation and creating a highly energy-efficient building. As well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the tinted glass lowers glare and helps maintain optimum temperature.

Driven by the environmental ambition and pioneering resolve from the inside out, the interiors of the building are defined by the mass use of sustainably sourced timber. The inner narrative generated by this decisive use of wood can be observed from the outside, with SageGlass allowing passers-by to peek inside the building.

Just as pedestrians can peek inside the building, the occupants can enjoy the expansive views outwards – a benefit enhanced by the option to grade the tint from the ceiling down to the floor.

“Being able to reflect amongst the business of creation is important,” Furniss observed. “The ability for students to look out, reflect on what they’re developing and connect with the world on the other side of the glass enables them to come back into their creative mindset with more context.”

Similarly, the visitors – often from out of town – can enjoy sweeping views of the Newcastle cityscape, particularly the working harbour adjacent to the building. “Having such a transparent building enables the University to communicate with their town and explain how the school fits in within the wider urban context,” he added.

What is a highly considered, groundbreaking and functional solution from the occupants’ perspective presents as a compelling display of innovation and creativity from outside. The building comes to life as the passers-by can see the kinetic facade of the Q Building animate throughout the day, harmoniously responding to the change in the position of the sun.

Since the tint on each panel is controlled individually, the construct of the artistic facade allows the University to display patterns or words – further demonstrating to the community what this ingenious building is about.

Architecture & Design Team

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George Fethers and Company

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