ambulatory care center, nebraska honors veterans using ribbon-colored vanceva glass

ambulatory care center in omaha, nebraska

American military uniforms contain colored ribbons to represent years of service, rank, special units, achievements, and valor. These bars served as the inspiration for the western elevation of the Ambulatory Care Center of the Omaha VA Medical Center Nebraska, U.S.A. With the windows stacked in four rows of colored glass, the three-storey building shows appreciation to the military for their service.

Ambulatory Care Center in Omaha contains colored panels inspired by military ribbons

all images by AJ Brown Imaging

LEO A DALY design made possible with Vancava interlayers

Gone are the days of solely black, white and grey, dull and dreary interiors. Modern medical centers contain a fresh new wave of color, to brighten up the lives of the patients who occupy them, exemplified by the Ambulatory Care Center in Omaha. Designed by architects LEO A DALY and completed in June 2020, the 157,000-square-foot complex takes inspiration from the commemorative ribbons of American veterans. To create the uniform ribbon like effect, a dozen Vanceva™ color PVB interlayers were used in varying shades of red, plum, purple, light aqua, dark aqua, blue, Kelly green, dark green, yellow, harvest gold, and orange.

to create the uniform ribbon effect, a dozen Vanceva PVB interlayers were used

colorful glass panes made possible with Vanceva

The design intention is that as daylight changes, the sunlight pushes the interlayer colors onto walls and floors, enveloping pathways and rooms in mood-lifting ribbons of color. The facility composes two panes of glass: 6-mm clear HS VE-2M #2, with 13.2-mm VTS Black Finish-Argon, 90% fill-black silicone, and 6-mm Clear HS. To give the project it’s unique color palette, each panel contains four layers of 0.015 Vanceva color PVB interlayers. In order to visualize how natural light punctured through the glass and filled the interior throughout the day, the architects rigorously tested the color samples by taping them to office windows in multiple combinations. This meticulous experimentation of the interlayers led to colorful bars being enjoyed both inside and outside of the care center.

the folded-glass curtain wall mimics a flag waving in the wind, boasting eight primary care clinics

A place for healing both physically and emotionally

The newly built care center exemplifies the design advancements of veteran medical facilities. Rejecting the medical center blueprint of a plain, rectangular brick building, Omaha’s care center is rich in patriotic symbolism, providing uplifting emotions to its occupants. The folded-glass curtain wall mimics a flag waving in the wind, while simultaneously allowing inside abundant natural light. Service members are treated in a facility that not only helps them heal physically but emotionally and spiritually as well.

Omaha’s care center is rich in patriotic symbolism, providing uplifting emotions to its occupants