Aug. 14, 2017 SageGlass dynamic glass was installed on the façade and skylight of Dirty Habit DC restaurant inside the iconic Hotel Monaco to optimize dining comfort, mitigate solar heat gain and glare and preserve views of the General Post Office façade.

The architect, Stanton Architecture, offers insight into how SageGlass helped the restaurant incorporate a cutting-edge design while meeting the General Services Administration’s historical preservation requirements. Media Folder

Media Root

Q: What were the main challenges you confronted when designing Dirty Habit DC?

A: Dirty Habit DC is part of the General Post Office, which was built in 1839, and is a very old and historic building. The property is owned by the General Services Administration, so the challenge was to design something within the courtyard of the building that didn’t distract from the General Post Office façade, but amplified it. We thought that a robust or opaque building in the courtyard would distract from the historic architecture of the post office, so instead we wanted to design something that was almost completely transparent.

Q: What solar control options did you consider before choosing SageGlass?

A:Before choosing SageGlass, we looked at typical methods for solar control, which included mechoshades to control glare, exterior shading devices to reject solar heat, and increased air conditioning tonnage to account for solar heat gains. We conducted a cost comparison and the combined cost of those three factors was more than simply installing dynamic glass. SageGlass offered a solution to all three problems and looked a lot cleaner because we did not need mechoshade pockets on the façade, or exterior light shelfs.  The product allowed us to create a very contemporary exterior look.

Q: How was the SageGlass installation received?

A: The client is very happy and the General Services Administration is very happy as well. The design of Dirty Habit DC has already been entered for a number of awards and recently received a Gold Nugget award of merit which recognizes those who improve communities through exceptional concepts in design, planning and development. In addition, the guest experience has been very well reviewed!

Q: What is your favorite part of the SageGlass installation?

A: I really like how you can observe the panels transitioning from totally clear to completely black at the push of a button. It makes for a really elegant feel and high-tech experience. It’s something we haven’t seen in architecture before and it’s a great design feature.

To learn more about SageGlass in-action, visit our portfolio page. To learn more about Dirty Habit DC, click here. Danny Bittiker is a licensed architect in California and has worked as a project manager of Stanton Architecture for five years. As a native of the Santa Cruz Mountains and an alumnus of the University of Oregon, he has a deep appreciation for the architecture of the West Coast. He has practiced in San Francisco for 10 years, and his background in fine furniture has allowed for exceptional attention to detail in every aspect of building.
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