Photo courtesy of Streeter Custom Builder
Streeter Custom Builder, in collaboration with PKA Architecture, is redefining the use of glass in residential architecture. Seamlessly blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living, this Stillwater home features a stunning 25-foot solarium designed to open and expand views of the backyard patio, pool, and spa, as well as the serene prairie woods beyond. The solarium is composed of multiple 7-by-11-foot RAICO site glazed units, which were imported from Germany by local supplier Tanner Windows and installed locally by Tanner Construction.
“One of the reasons RAICO was selected is because of the large scale of the glass and complexity of glazing in a roof condition,” says Josh Crenshaw, director of innovation at Streeter. “Finding a curtain wall system capable of handling something of this size and scope is a little bit unique.”
Additionally, RAICO, a German-based company, employs a key focus on environmental sustainability in its glass development, using recyclable materials including steel, aluminum, and timber—all while actively recycling scrap materials back into the production process. But the sustainability of these windows carries on even after production, as they are intentionally designed to limit energy consumption thanks to their low heat transfer coefficients. “One of the things that’s really unique about the RAICO system is that you can fine tune the amount of solar gain it gets, as well as the visible light and thermal performance of the window,” explains Crenshaw.
This cutting-edge engineering not only conserves energy by limiting the use of the homeowners’ heating and cooling systems but also makes the addition of a solarium more practical in colder climates like that of Minnesota’s. Through all four seasons, RAICO glass is designed to keep homeowners comfortable while simultaneously providing the stunning, expansive views that only a window of its scale can.
