Visual Proof That Wins the Work
When you’re competing for a project, visual proof of how your design will perform isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a decisive advantage. This is how daylight modeling helped Studio Hillier win the bid.
Project Details
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Daylight Model Comparison Vision Glass (top) compared with Solera® (bottom): a clear, full-scale view of how the glazing choice changes daylight inside the gymnasium. |
Felician University, situated just ten miles from New York City in Bergen County, New Jersey, recognized the importance of its Rutherford Campus Gymnasium — home to the Golden Falcons sports teams and a hub for community events. The facility needed a facelift and extensive addition, but the existing single-pane clerestory windows were causing serious problems.
The Gymnasium’s Triple-Threat Problem
Single-pane clerestory windows on the eastern and western exposures created debilitating glare and high-contrast light, making it difficult for players to perform and spectators to watch.
The high-contrast lighting made it impossible for the university’s video equipment to focus — meaning the Golden Falcons couldn’t record games for training and analysis, a major issue for a competitive athletics program.
The old, uninsulated windows provided poor thermal performance and very little usable daylight, forcing the university to rely on expensive artificial lighting throughout the day.
The Solution: Visual Proof That Wins the Argument
When Studio Hillier was invited to compete for the project, they knew they were up against other talented firms. Their advantage: instead of just describing a solution, they presented the selection committee with clear, data-backed visual evidence.
Using complimentary daylight modeling provided by Advanced Glazings Ltd., Studio Hillier created a side-by-side comparison showing the existing vision glass conditions versus the proposed Solera® solution — leaving no room for doubt about which approach would transform the space.
This visual evidence was so compelling that when the client asked about cheaper window film as an alternative, the models made the decision for them. They could see the superior performance of Solera® — and they understood the long-term value.
The Result: A Win, a Transformed Space, and a Client for Life
Studio Hillier won the competition. Their ability to provide visual proof de-risked the decision for the university and demonstrated a deeper understanding of the problem than their competitors.
What Changed After Installation
The glare was gone. The space was bright and comfortable. And for the first time, the Golden Falcons could properly record their games for training and analysis. The installation was seamless — “Solera was a smooth application for this space. The installation was seamless, and everything went very well,” noted Felix.
The University and its students are now using the gymnasium without worrying about glare or contrast. The renovation also included painting the ceiling, new light fixtures, a lighter floor, and renewed finishes — with Solera® as the centrepiece of the daylighting transformation.
Architect: Studio Hillier | Contractor: DelSano | Product: Solera® | Photography: © Studio Hillier
