Chihuly Glass House Museum

Used for corporate functions and private events, the Chihuly Glass House Museum is completely enveloped in glass and features a collection of artist’s most significant works and lush outdoor garden space. When engineers at Rushing began designing the heating system for the facility, they knew they wanted to use a solution that limited space and interference with the artwork—an invisible solution visitors would never see.

Along the inside perimeter of the facility, engineers specified 173 feet of Jaga’s Mini-Canal trench radiators to be installed flush with the floor. Topped with a continuous grill, there were no visible breaks which created a seamless, sleek appearance. Further, the grills were close enough together so stiletto heels would not get caught as people walked across the surface. Rated to withstand significant weight, the grills also supported heavy loads, such as trucks used to transport tables and chairs for events.

Before an event, the radiant floor is turned on, but can take several hours to warm the space. The Jaga units provide immediate heat in the interim, also enabling the space to maintain a consistent temperature when there’s a significant temperature fluctuation due to weather or people gathering.

While occupant comfort is a primary benefit of the system, there’s also an energy savings. The Jaga solution will help offset direct energy loss through the windows – by as much as 35 percent. The Mini Canals generate a curtain of air between the heat generated by the radiant system and the windows, preventing heat loss and condensation buildup.