How Sentech Redefined Structural Glass Engineering

The twenty-year journey of our company is a story of perseverance and creative thinking. It has proven to be an incomparable journey of growth under adverse market conditions and constant domestic and global changes. Our success has been anchored in a bold, defining vision: to unshackle the structural glass market from the constraints of rigid, “one-size-fits-all” systems and deliver adaptable, highly engineered facade solutions. As we celebrate our 20^th anniversary, we reflect on a journey that has seen Sentech evolve from an ambitious, engineering-focused startup into a premier industry leader in advanced structural glass facades. During the first five years of our company’s history, our emphasis shifted from engineering long-span structures for architectural venues to designing innovative façade systems. Sentech’s history is deeply intertwined with the defining global events of the 21st century that have reshaped architectural preferences, altered market demands, and resulted in stringent regulatory requirements. These changes forced our team to continuously innovate to meet the ever-evolving market needs. Succeeding through these turbulent decades has required the development of an internal culture of resilience and a steadfast commitment to design-assist partnerships and industry relationships.

Sentech’s Growth Milestones & The Evolution of Facade Design

Sentech’s growth milestones directly mirror these shifting market preferences. In the wake of 9/11 and the instability that followed, a heightened focus on structural resilience and occupant safety resulted in many buildings being designed to resist large impulse loads. In response to this change, we evaluated, developed, tested and delivered blast-resistant glazing systems for several prominent buildings; our engineering knowhow and expertise in this area helped us secure high-security installations at the U.S. Court of International Trade and at the Freedom Tower in New York City. More recently, we delivered blast resistant façades at the Morgan Stanley building in New York City and the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

The 2008 recession resulted in a sharp decline in commercial construction, and the stimulus response resulted in a sharp growth of transit infrastructure construction. This event also marked the start of a growth period for commercial renovation and adaptive reuse of legacy structures. The preference for commercial renovation was spurred by cost efficiency and shaped by stricter energy-efficiency requirements and increased attention to sustainability. Sentech responded to these changes by a) developing advanced façade seismic isolation technology; b) developing expertise in the design and thermal performance of double-skin facades; and c) emphasizing sustainability in the design and long-term performance of our façade systems. These advances simplified the implementation of all-glass systems in building renovations. The double skin façades at the Manhattan Beach Library in California, at the Zurich Headquarters in Chicago, and at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, are outstanding examples of the integration of new façade technology in the design of structures that deliver long-term sustainability. The renovations at the Franklin Building in Chicago, the new Indeed Tower in Austin, and the new Milken Museum in Washington, DC, stand as examples of renovations that breathe new life and light into historic building structures.

The rapid expansion of the high-tech sector over the last fifteen years ushered a corporate architecture boom that demanded the design of innovative, ultra-transparent glass enhanced headquarters. Sentech again adapted by pioneering massive jumbo glass applications and revolutionary glass connections. These technological advances are captured in the design of iconic structures such as the Oracle Headquarters in Austin, the Salesforce Tower in Chicago, and the state-of-the-art insulated cable net wall for Expedia’s headquarters in Seattle.

The Next 20 Years: Navigating The Future of Structural Glass

Today, as we navigate the post-pandemic era and the intensifying realities of climate change, Sentech continues to lead the market by proactively developing and testing high-performance, sustainable façade systems that prioritize biophilic design, carbon reduction, and extreme-weather climate resilience.

At our core, Sentech remains an engineering-driven company. We have built an industry-wide reputation for creative problem-solving and delivering elegant, high-performance facades with unparalleled diligence. By offering single-source responsibility and custom-tailored structural solutions, Sentech has had an enduring impact on the structural glass market.

Through the last twenty years, we have proven that working within a collaborative environment, architectural transparency and robust structural design can coexist flawlessly. As we look toward the next two decades, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of structural glass, collaborating with visionary architects and glaziers to bring the most challenging and distinctive façade designs to life.