Pulp Studio Setting the Standard for Architectural Decorative Glass
Pulp Studio, the leading fabricator of technically advanced architectural decorative glass, is shaping the future of the built environment by redefining the role glass serves aesthetically and functionally. Fabrication innovations such as bent glass, D2G™ digital imaging and thermally efficient facades, Pulp Studio empowers engineers and designers with creative freedom while meeting the evolving demands of modern architecture.
“Architectural glass is not merely a building material – it’s a medium for expression,” said Kirk Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Pulp Studio. “Our role is to anticipate where design is headed and give architects the tools to push boundaries, whether that means introducing curvature, integrating color and imagery or delivering performance-driven solutions as responsible as they are beautiful.”
Sweeping Silhouettes
Right: Clifford Chance office
Bent glass has surged in popularity due to the aesthetic appeal and architectural flexibility it provides. Leading the way on this modern design path is Pulp Studio, which employs proprietary in-house engineered and constructed equipment to achieve such a striking visual in bent glass applications. Two projects showcase this emphasis on cambered linework well. The facade of the Gores Group Building in Beverly Hills, California consists of a PVB substrate sandwiched between slabs of slumped glass. The substrate was printed with a pattern that accentuates the curves of the glass, filters views, provides privacy and welcomes natural light. The panels themselves reduce sound and vibration from the busy street adjacent the building. Indoor uses of bent glass include safety components, as seen in the Clifford Chance office in Manhattan, New York. Pulp Studio supplied glass throughout the interior, from the railings and smoke baffles to an impressive four-story spiral staircase.
Creativity with Color
Right: Ghost of a Dream, REMEMBER WHEN TOMORROW CAME, Glass Mural, Pacific Park Campus (IS 653); Collection of NYC Department of Education; Photo Credit: Samuel Morgan Photography
Glass has evolved far beyond transparency, becoming a canvas for color, pattern and art. Vibrant threads of pigment can be woven into the design of nearly any decorative architectural piece. Pulp Studio’s revolutionary direct-to-glass digital printing utilizes ceramic inks that are fired onto the surface of the glass, resulting in a D2G™ image. This process was employed to fabricate the Hurricane Maria Memorial in Lower Manhattan, which features an ascending glass spiral, meant to echo a hurricane and shell, a symbol of protection against the elements. For indoor applications, Pulp Studio can cast high-resolution images directly onto or laminated within glass. This innovative method is known as PGI™, a photographic process that creates the substrate used in a laminated glass product. Through PGI™, bright colors illuminated the “REMEMBER WHEN TOMORROW CAME” mural located at the Pacific Park Campus in Brooklyn, New York.
Stunning Facades
Right: Gravitas; Architect: Kelly Architects; Photo Credit: Kelly Architects
Decorative glass facades define the aesthetic of modern building envelopes while giving architects and designers control over the material’s performance. Glass is often chosen for its striking appearance, but it can also be customized to enhance privacy, thermal efficiency and natural light. Pulp Studio has responded to the market demand for exterior solutions, with versatility and strives to prove design excellence with each project. The team recently completed an impressive expansion of the Cici and Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. For this project, Pulp Studio fabricated three different IGU glass types, creating hypnotic effects and color shifts seen on the building’s exterior. For the entrance of Gravitas – a members-only club in Beverly Hills, California – Pulp Studio supplied neutral gray reflective glass that creates a modern visual. With 20 percent visible light transmission, the glass maintains privacy while reducing heat and glare indoors.
Sustainably Conscious Design
Pulp Studio has paved the way for environmentally responsible manufacturing through recycling efforts and a conservative use of resources. The California-based processing facility has been equipped with solar panels to provide renewable energy to the plant. All wastewater from the fabrication process is meticulously cleaned and recycled back into production. On the product side of sustainability, Pulp Studio created and adopted a full color water-based paint system and maintains a non-VOC (volatile organic compounds) environment for all products. All glass waste material produced during fabrication is diverted from landfills and delivered to facilities that grind up the waste, repurposing it for other uses such as water filtration and gravel base.
As architecture continues to prioritize expression, performance and sustainability, decorative glass is emerging as a defining element of modern design. Combining technical mastery with forward-thinking solutions, Pulp Studio remains at the forefront of industry trends – transforming glass into means of lasting impact.
