Sacred Heart University Hockey Arena to Install Smart Windows
Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., announced recently that it will install Smart Windows by View, Inc., at its new Martire Family Arena. The facility will play home to the university’s men’s and women’s hockey programs, as well as club hockey teams and the school’s figure skating team. The arena is scheduled to open to the public in January 2023.
According to a news release, the arena is part of a multi-year campus expansion program. Designers wanted to include natural light as part of the rink’s design but were worried that the associated heat would melt the ice. View Smart Windows adjust automatically to direct sunlight using a combination of electrochromic coating and artificial intelligence. The windows can regulate heat and glare while still providing access to natural light. The windows also help reduce energy consumption via HVAC and lighting by up to 20 percent.
Sacred Heart University Martire Family Arena
“Skating arenas rarely have windows, but we’re building a venue unlike any other,” said Marc Izzo, Sacred Heart University’s Vice President of Construction & Facilities Management. “Incorporating View Smart Windows throughout our extraordinary ice-skating facility will give players, students and guests a completely new and cutting-edge experience.”
The arena will offer amenities like a pro shop, suits, food venues, meeting rooms and administrative offices. The project’s lead designers are JLG and S/L/A/M Collaborative.
“The opportunity to transform educational and athletic facilities to improve both sustainability and student wellbeing is massive,” said Brian Klansky, Regional Vice President at View. “We’re thrilled to partner with Sacred Heart to integrate wellness and sustainability into the entire student experience.”
About the Author
Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].