Vitro Architectural Glass joined the Pittsburgh Glass Center in celebrating the completion of PGC’s renovation, welcoming elected officials, partners and community members for a hot glass ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A longtime dedicated PGC supporter, Vitro contributed its glass for both the interior and exterior of PGC's update. This marks another significant milestone in the extensive history of glass in the Pittsburgh region, which dates back over 140 years to the establishment of Pittsburgh Plate Glass, or PPG, in 1883.
What Vitro says
“It is a great privilege to have contributed to PGC's historic expansion, which will profoundly impact Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, an area that holds special significance for Vitro," says Ricardo Maiz, president, Vitro Architectural Glass. "Our ties to this region run deep. At our glass technology center just a few miles north of the city, our dedicated research and development teams consistently push the boundaries of architectural glass, striving to innovate and enhance its capabilities. We take pride in integrating these breakthroughs into the renovations, ensuring that visitors from around the globe can enjoy the finest views and optimal occupant comfort while visiting PGC.”
Vitro's contributions
Vitro’s donation to PGC included Solarban 72 Starphire glass, a combination of low-emissivity and low-iron glass with clarity and solar control performance. The project also features VacuMax vacuum insulating glass, a versatile product that provides center-of-glass R-values comparable to the thermal performance of traditional walls. United Plate Glass, the glass fabricator, and Southwest Aluminum & Glass Co., the glazier, both located in Western Pennsylvania, were additional partners that contributed to this project.
Renovation details
PGC embarked on this renovation in March 2023. The expansion added 11,000 square feet of space, enhancing functionality and increasing the facility’s capacity to accommodate twice the number of visitors annually. The project also enabled the establishment of additional studio space and a retail store and the expansion of community programming. In addition, the enlargement allowed PGC to expand its unique apprenticeship program, showcasing its commitment to nurturing talent within the glassblowing community.
A standout feature of PGC's expansion is the third-floor glassblowing studio, which boasts an outdoor deck known as the Vitro Patio. This open-air space is for observing glassblowing demonstrations and other activities.
