Our Blog | GBA Architectural Products + Services

Transform Your Space with GBA’s Glass Wall Solutions

Glass walls have become synonymous with contemporary architecture, offering a blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal. Whether you seek to maximize natural light, enhance spatial perception, or create seamless transitions between spaces, glass walls from GBA Architectural Products + Services provide a diverse array of solutions to meet your design needs.

Beyond their practical benefits of energy efficiency and space optimization, glass walls embody modern design principles by introducing transparency and openness into any environment.

Glass Block Walls Make a Statement in Modern Interior Design

Interior design trends come and go, but certain choices stand the test of time, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. Among these enduring features, glass block walls have stood out as a contemporary design choice that seamlessly blends style with versatility. Contrary to the misconception that they belong to a bygone era, glass block walls, made in an ever-evolving array of styles, sizes, colors, and finishes, continue to appeal to designers and property owners alike, offering a myriad of possibilities for enhancing both residential and commercial interior spaces.

Vault Lights |  Concrete and Cast Iron Vaulted Sidewalk

Architectural history and modern design meet in contemporary vault lights. Available in a variety of prefabricated and custom designs and configurations, vault lights combine both beauty and functionality to streets, sidewalks, and landscapes. Originating in the 19th century, these innovative systems were designed to bring natural light into underground spaces, such as basements and subway tunnels. Today, vaulted sidewalk vault lights are not just a nod to the past; they make a strong statement in contemporary architecture, enhancing the aesthetics and usefulness of the spaces they grace.

Vault lights serve as a testament to the ingenuity of city planning and design. Made from durable materials like reinforced steel and thick glass that is engineered to support heavy loads, vault lights allow pedestrians to safely traverse sidewalks and streets while providing illumination to spaces below. Whether for historical preservation or new urban developments, vaulted sidewalk vault lights are a versatile solution that adds both value and visual appeal. By incorporating these timeless features, architects and property owners can create safer, more illuminated walkways that stand out.

Vault Lights: The Beginning

Vault lights were invented in 1845 by Thaddeus Hyatt, and were initially used on ship decks to provide light below without using hazardous, open flame-producing instruments. These durable glass features were later mounted in concrete and cast iron panels and installed in city sidewalks to admit light into basements and spaces below.

Restored Glass Block Windows Youngstown, Ohio

Some of our favorite ventures are renovating projects in our local area. Being a company located in the Cleveland/Akron area, we were thrilled to be chosen for an assignment in Youngstown, Ohio, only 65 miles from our office.

Zero Lot Line Construction

What is a Zero Lot Line House?

A zero lot line house is a piece of residential property where the house comes up or very near to the edge of the property line.  A variety of properties can be considered zero lot lines, including town homes, garden homes, patio homes, and row houses.  These homes can have one or two side yards and can be attached or detached.  Typically, Zero lot line properties typically contain one side yard.   

Historic Glass Block Renovations: Knapp's Centre

Owner: The Eyde Company

Architect: Quinn Evans Architects

General Contractor: Granger Construction

Mason: Schiffer Mason Contractors, Inc.

Knapp's Centre: The History

So many of the buildings we drive past have a history explaining why they were built and what they came to be.  Knapp’s Centre is one of those historic buildings, built in 1937 as a home for the main department store J.W. Knapp Company in Lansing, Michigan.  The 190,000 square foot building was constructed using alternating bands of yellow macotta and prismatic glass block.  At the time Knapp’s was built, it was known to be one of the most modern building’s in the Midwest. 

Historic Glass Block Warehouse Renovations: Hecht Warehouse

Architect: Antunovich Associates

General Contractor: McCullough Construction, LLC.

Owner: Douglas Development

Hecht Warehouse: The History

Hecht’s was one of Washington D.C.’s oldest and most successful large-scale, locally-owned retail store.  The department store itself was located on the corner of 7^th Street in an “American Gothic” building.  Hecht’s offered an assortment of goods for their customers.  In 1934, Hecht’s department store installed the first escalators in Washington.  As Hecht’s department store continued to grow, taking over most of the block, they sought to move most of its service operations to a new Art Deco building in 1937.  This new building became the central warehouse for Hecht’s department stores.  

GBA Architectural Products + Services had a very exciting 2019 as we worked on many exciting architectural projects, bringing new life to buildings with the addition of glass block and structural glass. We had the privilege of working with some of the best architects and contractors in the world. All of the projects we participated in were exciting and complex challenges that left us with a rewarding feeling when completed.

Impact Resistant Glass Block Windows Vs. Regular Windows

Windows are an essential part of any structure where people live or work. Natural light gives occupants a view of the outside while protecting them from the wind, rain, and other undesirable elements.