Masonry Magazine April 1964 Page. 11
Use Unique Glass Block System In Canada
Over 60,000 slim, rectangular glass blocks are used in the striking new Winnipeg (Manitoba) City Hall complex.
In a radical departure from conventional installation techniques, the all glass block panels are prefabricated in the building and the complete panels hoisted into place as a unit.
Being erected on the site of the former 1890 vintage building, the new City Hall consists of two buildings connected by an underground gallery. The larger building will house the offices of various city departments. It has two wings which extend out toward the second building and enclose part of a landscaped courtyard. A six-story tower rises from the central part of the main floor. All of the area of the first floor roof, not covered by the tower, is a promenade deck. The second building, which will house the mayor's offices and legislative functions, has two floors and a basement.
Large glass areas were designed into these buildings by Green-Blankstein-Russell Associates, architects and engineers, of Winnepeg. However, in the design stages, a decision had to be made between double thickness insulating glass or glass blocks.
According to the architects, there was not much to choose from an insulating standpoint, but there was no question as to the superiority of the glass blocks at controlling glare. The clear glass would have necessitated blinds and drapes inside the building - in effect, defeating the purpose for which glass was desired.
However, as a spokesman for the firm emphasized, the ultimate decision hinged on aesthetic aspects. The decision on these points was in doubt until the firm became aware of the "lean" 4-inch by 12-inch rectangular block. By arranging these in a uniform vertical pattern, they achieved the clean, unbroken look which was aesthetically right for this design. One variation of the "4 x 12" block has a white fibrous glass screen in the center, dividing the block into two cavities and increasing its insulation value and glare control efficiency. To improve this even further, a doubled screen was specified and inserted by the manufacturer during production.
ASONRY
April, 1964
Installation Procedures
According to project coordinator, Robert M. Sutton of G. A. Baert Construction (1960), Ltd., contractors for the job, "Our unique method of pre-assembling the "4 x 12" glass blocks into panel sections and hoisting these complete sections into place represents a radical departure from the conventional procedure where the blocks are laid row upon row in successive courses"
This technique was chosen for two principal reasons: (1) It would be difficult to keep the completely vertical design straight and uniform. (2) The great savings in time and labor resulting from not having to erect and move scaffolding around the building as courses were laid up.
Mr. Sutton detailed the method by which the sections were made. "First, we lay out a bed of heavy plywood sections on the floor. This bed is