GLO STUDIO is the melding of talents acquired by founder and architect, Fred Roberts, through a career devoted to staying on the cutting-edge of the architectural industry and the technological revolution. Efficiencies and integration are the threads woven through his projects that have earned his work awards and publication. His early years were devoted to the exploration of design efficiencies and unique use of materials. Before energy efficiency emerged as a concern, his background in mechanical engineering led him to integrate the mechanical demands of a building into the fabric of the structure to gain operating efficiencies. Exploring the efficiencies to be gained by integrating the building structure with the environment made his first passive solar project an award recipient of the first National Passive Solar Competition and earned the distinction of being the only home in the country to be passively cooled as well as passive heated. Research and modeling studies on the integration of natural light with the structure resulted in an underground office lit by natural daylight and earned his work a design award and recognition in numerous publications.
As computers became available, Fred was first in his architectural community to integrate them into the practice. Recognizing the opportunity they presented for analysis he began to use them for modeling a structure’s energy performance. Frustrated by the lack of energy modeling software available, he learned programming and developed his own software (visit Solaequis.com) that is now recognized as being “as good as gold”, by author Dan Chiras, in his critique of software in his book “The Solar House.”
Integration for efficiency and staying in the forefront of the latest developments has been the theme of Fred’s career. The integration of computer technology with architecture has opened endless possibilities. From Version 1 AutoCad to the latest in 3D visualization and animation software Fred has immersed himself in the possibilities and learned the intricacies. No matter what needs the client may have Fred Roberts and GLO STUDIO are well prepared to provide the highest quality, most efficient solution.
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