Where Transparency, Flexibility, and Craftsmanship Come Together at Abbott Northwestern Hospital

The all-glass, interior entrances create bright, open transitions while maintaining clear views into adjoining areas. We also installed uniquely designed frosted-glass entrances that provide greater privacy and visual separation while preserving the light, contemporary character of the surrounding spaces. Together, these entrance systems support wayfinding, reduce the feeling of enclosure, and complement the facility’s modern interior design.

Key advantages for the glass entrances include:

• Clear sightlines that help visitors understand where they are going
• A brighter, more welcoming arrival experience
• Frosted glass that balances privacy with natural light, with a distinctive tree-silhouette design that brings a calming, nature-inspired element indoors
• Visual connections between entrances, corridors, and public spaces

Achieving this clean appearance required precise coordination of the glass, hardware, operating clearances, and surrounding finishes. The finished entrances look effortless, but that simplicity comes from careful planning and skilled installation.

Custom All-Glass Railings: Safety with Unobstructed Views

The custom all-glass railings provide necessary protection at elevated areas and transitions without adding the visual weight of traditional opaque railings. Because the railings preserve views and allow light to travel through the interior, public areas feel larger and more connected. Their clean lines also coordinate naturally with the all-glass entrances and other transparent elements throughout the building.

The custom all-glass railings provide:

• Required protection with minimal visual obstruction
• Open views across multiple areas and levels
• Custom fabrication for project-specific conditions
• A refined appearance that complements the surrounding architecture

Custom glass railings demand a high level of precision. Glass sizes, support conditions, attachment points, and adjacent finishes must align accurately because even minor inconsistencies are highly visible in a transparent system.

The NanaWall opening-glass systems add flexibility to the facility. When closed, they define and separate adjoining areas while maintaining visibility and light. When opened, the panels move and store away to create a larger, more continuous space.

Opening-glass walls are particularly valuable in facilities designed for long-term use because they allow interior spaces to evolve without sacrificing the openness of the original design.

Complex Scheduling with Tight Deadlines

Installing these specialty glass systems required careful coordination with numerous trades working on adjacent floors, walls, ceilings, structural supports, and architectural finishes.

The tight schedule created limited installation windows, while the custom glass required precise field measurements before fabrication. Each entrance, railing, and NanaWall® system had to be delivered and installed at the correct stage, as changes to surrounding conditions could affect fabrication and installation.

Because Abbott Northwestern remained fully operational throughout construction, phased work, temporary circulation routes, clear communication, detailed planning, and flexibility were essential to maintaining patient care, safely separating construction activities from patients, visitors, and staff, and keeping the project moving without compromising quality or architectural intent.

Whether your project includes all-glass entrances, custom railings, movable glass walls, or another complex glazing application, contact us. Our team will guide your project from early planning and coordination through installation and completion. We are here to help!