Waves, Beaulac Hotel

The Challenge

WAVES, the new rooftop bar and lounge at the Best Western Premier Hôtel Beaulac, offers a panoramic view of Lake Neuchâtel and the surrounding landscape. The structural design is inspired by the lake and features a large wave-shaped ribbon of curved steel.

WAVES sits inside a glass enclosure with sliding doors. To allow the space to be used comfortably all year, and to comply with strict energy standards, solar protection was required. The traditional solution, blinds or shades, would have been difficult to install due to the undulating form of the structure and exposure to the wind when the sliding doors are open would have made them difficult to operate and maintain.

The Solution

Architect Pierre Studer chose SageGlass to preserve the beautiful view year-round smart glass tints automatically in response to outdoor conditions to provide heat and glare control while maintaining unobstructed views to the outdoors.

A system of sliding doors that incorporate SageGlass was designed with Vitrocsa SA to allow access to the terrace overlooking the lake.

The Benefits

Thanks to SageGlass, the building’s transparency has been preserved, allowing WAVES guests to enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Neuchâtel no matter the weather, while also maintaining a pleasant temperature inside this predominantly glazed space.