Established in 1969 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Kirby Corporation stands as the largest tank barge operator in the United States. This industry giant is responsible for transporting bulk liquid products across various key waterways, including the Mississippi River System, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, all three U.S. Coasts, and regions such as Alaska and Hawaii. Kirby Inland Marine proudly manages the nation’s largest fleet of inland tank barges and towing vessels.
Kirby’s extensive service area encompasses America’s inland waterway network, covering significant routes like The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, the Mississippi River System, the Illinois River, and the Ohio River. Operating an impressive fleet, Kirby boasts 884 active inland tank barges, 251 active towing vessels, and five fleets.
The Smart Glass Tech team played a crucial role in the development of the Kirby Corporation headquarters, specifically focusing on four private offices and one conference room.
Commencing in February 2020, the renovation of Kirby’s headquarters aimed to create a bustling executive floor. The board of directors at Kirby Corporation expressed interest in exploring Smart Glass Tech, and this particular floor provided an ideal testing ground.
PriWatt Smart Glass proves to be an excellent choice for workspaces, enabling businesses to maintain an open, all-glass work environment. Its functionality allows professionals to benefit from variable tinting and privacy, seamlessly transitioning the switchable glass from clear to opaque, either gradually or instantly, using a dimmer or switch.
While meeting rooms and boardrooms often require privacy, PriWatt Smart Glass ensures that these spaces don’t become isolated from the rest of the office. This innovative technology supports a collaborative work environment, transforming entire glass surfaces into writable whiteboards or projection screens.
Outlined are four significant advantages of incorporating PriWatt Smart Glass into office spaces:
- Privacy on Demand: Whether for a conference room, meeting space, or a classroom, PriWatt Smart Glass offers complete privacy on demand. It provides versatility for office configurations, from partitioning shared spaces to discreet window treatments.
- Improved Hygiene with No Glare: PriWatt Smart Glass serves as a futuristic workplace solution, offering an opaque mode that is ultra-hygienic and easy to clean. Eliminating the need for blinds and curtains enhances hygiene within shared office environments.
- Soundproofing Properties: Smart Glass contributes to a focused work environment by minimizing distracting noise. With an acoustic rating (Rw) of 35-36 Db, the switchable Smart Glass facilitates isolation from external disturbances, promoting a conducive working atmosphere.
- Use as a Whiteboard or Projection Screen: Acting as a light-polarizing material, PriWatt Glass excels in enhancing image contrast and brightness. This feature allows for rear projection even in daytime conditions with moderate ambient lighting, making it ideal for large-scale video walls and engaging presentations.
The total square footage of the project encompassed 700 SF. Smart Glass Tech Certified Installation Team flew from headquarters in Miami, FL, to Houston, TX, to apply Switch Film to 26 glass panels. Each office utilized a separate pre-wired transformer, discreetly concealed by Certified Installers before the PriWatt Smart Film installation. The entire installation for the project was completed in just six days, incorporating PriWatt Film into four offices and one conference room.
