Made of Glass
Singularity Glazing, Inc. closes gap for architects and GCs
With a master’s degree in architecture, Nick Taghavi has worked with clients and colleagues all over the world for more than 15 years, specializing in sustainable design for high-rise buildings. A few years back, he set out to address a gap he identified in the construction market and focus specifically on glass.
Today, he is President of Singularity Glazing, Inc., which specializes in glazing projects priced between $50,000 and $2 million. Located in San Diego, the company takes on specialty projects that require a separate permitting process, freeing architects and general contractors from the headache that can often come along with projects of this magnitude. Focused on innovation in the construction industry, Singularity Glazing has created a platform for the design-build completion of building skins for commercial storefronts, curtain walls, windows and other glass elements within a facility. The company’s goal is to be a one-stop shop: working with clients through the entire process, including consulting, design and engineering, product selection, securing permits, project management and installation. Its projects are predominantly in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
Taghavi says, “There are other glazing companies that do this, but they are very large—handling projects with over $2 million in fees. We are a glazer with everything in place that can handle these intricate glass challenges for smaller projects and budgets.”
Advancements in Technology
Taghavi has found a niche market during a time when more structures are being designed using glass, a far cry from 50-plus years ago when glass usage was rare. Historically, there have been many limitations to the use of glass in building structures, such as technology constraints, resulting in higher costs and lower energy efficiency. Today, however, the use of glass building materials is much greater as advancements in technology have helped reduce costs, and the higher quality of glass available now provides greater energy efficiency.
Seeing the Light
Because of advancements in glass technology, builders are able to achieve greater design attributes involving light, which Taghavi describes as the single-most important aspect in building design.
He recalls a quote from Louis Kahn, known as one of the United States’ greatest 20th century architects: “I sense Light as the giver of all presences, and material as spent Light. What is made by Light casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light.” The quote also has a prominent space on the company’s website.
“Capturing light, controlling light and playing with light has been the chief goal of architecture for centuries—from the skylight to full-glass buildings,” says Taghavi.
He cites the Chase Bank location in City of Industry, California, as one of his company’s greatest achievements. This project was unique because it involved a type of insulated glass that, prior to July 2018, was not produced in the United States due to its size limitations. In addition, Singularity Glazing was awarded the work to replace the skylight in the San Diego Convention Center, a small, yet difficult, project. The popular landmark receives a high amount of foot traffic and therefore required significant attention to safety. Taghavi’s company was among many bidders from the San Diego area.
Currently, the business is working on a condominium project in West Hollywood. In the future, Taghavi wants to expand the company’s use of fire-rated glazing applications, including fire-rated aluminum doors, fire-rated storefronts and fire-rated glass in general.
Award-Winning Sustainable Design
Taghavi predicts that glass will be used more and more in the future as technology progresses and it becomes more affordable, with the ultimate materials combination being glass and aluminum. Glass offers control of light and view, and aluminum is an extremely flexible material that allows for the construction of complicated designs and products. However, what this combination still lacks is energy efficiency.
Taghavi’s insight led to his participation in the 2011 Prix Émile Hermès competition, for which he received a special mention for his expertise and ingenuity in sustainable design. Taghavi’s team produced an architectural module using high-density photovoltaic technology capable of generating 40% of a household’s electricity needs and was one of 12 teams selected to produce a prototype of its product.
The Prix Émile Hermès is an international design award promoting expert skills and creativity. Candidates submit designs for an object, concept or machine formulated for a specific, practical function that offers a sustainable alternative to existing everyday objects. Contestants in the 2011 competition were asked to submit an innovative but practical exploration of the use of heat and its conservation. A total of 1,460 entries were received from 63 countries, from professional designers, students and architects.
Sustainable Communities
Ultimately, Taghavi wants to be known for being sustainable, which he says isn’t just about energy. Rather, he says, it translates to all things, even society. He says, “Every action a company takes should make its community more sustainable. In other words, you should have a positive impact from the smallest neighborhood to the whole nation.”
This concept permeates the Singularity Glazing staff as well. Jim Lassiter, an employee in the company’s residential division, is a Vietnam veteran who is committed to continuing to give back to his community. He is working to institute a program discount for the Rancho Bernardo neighborhood, comprised predominantly of senior citizens, that would allow for the upgrade of old buildings to provide energy-efficient technology. The company is working with manufacturers to reduce material costs.
“We are a small company and cannot yet do this in large areas. But because of the passion of my colleague, we can start in our own ZIP code,” Taghavi says.
The project is still in planning stages, but the company hopes that this initial effort will later serve as a case study for other neighborhoods. He adds, “We still want the best products for these communities, despite their ability to afford them.”
In the meantime, Taghavi plans to continue his company’s growing focus on addressing the glass gap between small- and large-scale projects, offering solutions in glass building materials for general contractors and architects.