The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum in St. Johnsbury, 
Vt., is one of the oldest art galleries in the U.S. and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum replaced the original Victorian skylights with 497 square feet of a triple-pane glazing system from Faribault, Minn.-based SageGlass Inc. The new skylight is a two-part system. An underlying framework of tubed stainless steel was constructed off-site over the course of about one month. This structure would give the skylight its shape and receive the electrochromic glass units. Another two months of custom fabrication was dedicated to implementing the custom sheet metal elements caps, gutters, flashing and other weathertightening elements that would convey the skylight’s outward historical form and finalize its functional capabilities. A ventilator unit, salvaged from the original skylight, was incorporated into the new unit as well. Neagley & Chase Construction Co., South Burlington, Vt., served as the general contractor and installer of the glazing system.
Natural light also poses a threat to the Athenaeum’s extensive collection of artwork and furnishings. Replacing the skylights with traditional glass would have required the addition of mechanical shades or other sun controls that would severely compromise the appeal of the gallery and the experience of visitors. Architecture firm Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects LLC, Albany, N.Y., chose the triple-pane glazing system. “It was critical that the skylight preserve the authentic atmosphere people experience when they visit the Athenaeum,” says John Mesick, project architect. “SageGlass allows us to do that.”
In addition, the SageGlass will give the Athenaeum energy efficiency. “The Athenaeum was built by individuals in the 19th century who embraced and promoted innovative technologies and design,” notes Matthew Powers, the Athenaeum’s executive director. “Today, we continue this tradition with the application of SageGlass in our art gallery. SageGlass will provide energy savings, protect our important collection from harmful UV solar radiation and enhance our visitor experience.”
SageGlass Inc., www.sageglass.com
