Crystal Windows A Key Supplier in Rockaway Village Project
Crystal supplied nearly 9,000 architectural aluminum Series 8800/8810 windows for several buildings at the new construction Rockaway Village development in Far Rockaway, Queens, NY. -Manufacturer Provides Almost 9,000 Windows for Expansive New Development- QUEENS, NY, May 13, 2022 –National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems is wrapping up its deliveries of thousands of new windows for the ambitious new development Rockaway Village in Far Rockaway, NY. The expansive multi-year new construction project is rejuvenating this neighborhood at the outskirts of New York City’s Borough of Queens, taking advantage of the convenient passenger and elevated subway rail lines, and replacing abandoned properties and empty lots with beautiful new apartment buildings and retail spaces. “We are very proud to be part of this exciting construction project at Rockaway Village,” said Sabrina Leung, Crystal Architectural Sales Manager. “Crystal’s design, engineering, and production capabilities and our on-site consulting expertise made us the perfect partner to supply our high-end architectural windows to these new properties.” Crystal has supplied five of the development’s large mid-and high-rise residential buildings with 8,843energy efficient architectural window products. Most of the Crystal windows used at the Rockaway Village project were configured in large combinations of in-swing casement, picture, and HVAC louvers. In many cases, the windows provide expansive views, spanning large floor-to-ceiling openings, up to91” wide by 107-½” tall. Each building also used 90° mullions to join windows at building corners, providing an attractive and exciting glass feature for occupants. The combination arrangements were facilitated using the Series 8800/8810 master frame option as well as several types of mullion systems. The five buildings Crystal supplied at the Rockaway Village project exclusively used the company’s high-end architectural aluminum Series 8800 In-Swing Casement and Series 8810 Fixed windows. The windows feature heavy-duty 2-⅝” deep frames with corner key reinforcement. Both the casement and fixed windows use advanced polyamide strut thermal break systems for enhanced thermal performance. The window sashes offer 1-¼” IGU pockets and provide a zero-sightline look. A continuous master frame option allows the combination of multiple styles in one opening. The Crystal Series 8800 In-Swing Casement is rated AW-PG100/PG80. The Series 8810 Fixed/Picture window is rated AW-PG75. Specified with clear, tempered, or laminated glass panes, the insulated glass units (IGUs) for the windows were also specified with Guardian SN68 low-E glass coatings and Argon gas filling to deliver outstanding energy efficiency. To accommodate individual apartment HVAC units, several thousand of the Series 8810 Fixed window frames were fitted with AEL-42 model louvers by Reliable of Geneva, AL. Crystal supplied the PTAC louvers and factory installed them into the window frames prior to jobsite delivery. The Crystal Series 8800 In-Swing Casement uses 4-bar concealed hinges and a triple compression gasket seal. For safety, all the Series 8800 Casement windows were fitted with NY City code certified opening limit devices. In apartments designated for seniors, Crystal equipped the operating casements with ADA compliant hardware. Installation accessories for all the Series 8800 and 8810 windows included subsills and receptor systems, as well as H-, 3-piece, and 90° corner mullions. As the windows’ thermal strut construction allows for window frame interiors and exteriors to be different colors, all the windows received an extremely durable two-tone AAMA 2605 powder coat paint finish, with bronze exterior and white interior frames. Electrostatically applied powder coat paint, which virtually eliminates VOC compounds, is noted for its environmental sustainability, uniform coating, color properties, and weather resistance. Rockaway Village is developed and owned by Phipps Houses of New York, NY, one of the largest non-profit developer and owner of affordable housing in the Metro Area. When fully completed, Rockaway Village will offer 1,700 new apartments in 8 buildings, which range from 8 stories to 15 stories, along with over 120,000 sq. ft. of commercial and community space, landscaped courtyards and outdoor gathering spaces, and tree-lined streets and walkways. The terminus of the Long Island Railroad Far Rockaway branch is at the east end of the development, and the west end is across the street from New York City’s A-TrainMott Avenue elevated subway station. Marvel Architects of New York, NY, is the design firm for the entire Rockaway Village development, andLettire Construction, also of New York, NY, is the general contractor. Longtime Crystal customer Marvel Contracting Service (not related to Marvel Architects) of Queens, NY, served as the fenestration installer.
Crystal PacificWindow & Door Systems Marks 10 Years of Growth
Above: Crystal Pacific President of Operations Sergio Garcia (third from right) with team members. Below: are recognitions and congratulations from elected officials. – Manufacturer Now Employs 90 and Offers Many Product Lines – RIVERSIDE, CA, April 27, 2022 – Crystal Pacific Window & Door Systems, the west coast affiliate of national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, marks its 10th year of operation and growth since opening its doors in May of 2012. Launched by the national company’s founder and Chairman Thomas Chen, Crystal Pacific (also referred to as Crystal California)was started to bring quality vinyl energy efficient windows and doors to remodeling and new construction general contractors, builders, and property managers in California and neighboring states. “The past ten years have been very exciting for Crystal Pacific, as we have grown significantly in terms of sales, job creation, and product lines,” said Sergio Garcia, Crystal Pacific’s President of Operations. “We have expanded from simple residential vinyl windows into manufacturing aluminum and commercial vinyl windows and doors for all types of renovation and new construction projects. We tripled the number of employees working here in Riverside to 90 in the past 10 years.Crystal Pacific now ships products up and down the west coast, and for certain special projects, across the country.” Crystal Pacific is a national leader in the fabrication of commercial uPVC vinyl windows and doors for mid-and high-rise properties with its MAGNUS products. These highly energy efficient products combine the best features of two window frame materials – the strength and durability of aluminum and the superior thermal performance of vinyl. Crystal Pacific’s 116,000-ft2factory and headquarters are located at 1850 Atlanta Avenue in Riverside. The property was purchased by Chen during the deep economic downturn hitting southern California at the time because he believed the potential of the region was exceptional. By investing in the region and creating jobs, Crystal Pacific was part of the resurgence of the Riverside, CA business community. The company’s steady growth and job creation was noted with certificates of recognition from Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington, and by a congratulatory letter from US Senator Dianne Feinstein. The company is planning several customer and employee activities to celebrate the anniversary throughout the year. Crystal Pacific windows are installed at many notable properties in Southern and Northern California, including Avalon Bay Public Market development in Oakland, TownePlace Suites by Marriott at the San Diego airport, the St. Bernardine Radiation Therapy Center in San Bernardino, Hyatt Place Riverside, and Monticello Village luxury residential development in Santa Clara. The company plans to continue its growth with additional product lines, equipment, and customer services in the coming months.
Ask About Crystal Windows Aluminum Fast Lead Time
In a bind? Are openings ready for windows but delivery is still months and months away? We have you covered. Thanks to recent process improvements, we have dramatically cut down the lead time on all aluminum products. Call your Crystal representative to find out how to get a truckload shipment of Architectural-Rated Aluminum windows in 9 weeks*! *Standard product features. Specialty glass, hardware, or color finish may extend this lead time. Lead time is subject to change without prior notice.
Crystal Windows Reduces Carbon Footprint with Solar Energy
– Manufacturer’s Rooftop System Reduces Conventional Energy Needs – QUEENS, NY, April 4, 2022 – Crystal Window & Door Systems has completed installation of a large new almost 1 MW solar electricity generation system on the rooftop of its headquarters and main production facility in Queens, NY. The system includes over 2,300 solar panels and is expected to generate nearly one million kW-h annually, offsetting about 35% of the manufacturer’s overall electricity needs. The Crystal system is one of the larger systems in Queens and New York City. “Our New York headquarters and factory building has over 100,000 square feet of unshaded usable roof space, so solar panels just made sense,” said Thomas Chen, Chairman and founder of Crystal Windows. “The new solar electricity generation system is a perfect complement to Crystal’s emphasis on product energy efficiency. Just as we are committed to providing state-of-the-art energy-efficient products for home and building owners, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint here in New York City and making our production facility as energy efficient as possible.” Adding to the environmental benefit, Crystal also utilizes sustainable hydropower for much of its electricity supply. According to the USEPA, replacing one million kW-h annually with solar energy eliminates over 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere. That is the approximate equivalent of eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions from over ¾ million pounds of coal burned per year or annually removing 154 passenger vehicles from the road or by replacing 26,860 incandescent lamps with LEDs. Crystal partnered on a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Amergy Solar, a New York-New Jersey regional provider of solar energy generation systems for commercial and residential properties. With a PPA, the solar system provider owns and maintains the solar generation equipment installed on the customer’s premises while the customer simply purchases the electricity generated at a significant discount over rates from the local utility. PPA’s are generally transferrable upon resale to new building owners, thus enhancing a property’s value. Crystal’s solar energy generation system was several months in design and construction. To determine the appropriate scale of the system, Crystal’s energy usage patterns, available roof space, and roof structure were reviewed. Then the interface between Crystal’s existing electric system within the building and Con Edison’s electricity distribution system was upgraded, the roof surface was renovated, permits for the installation were secured, and required inspections completed. A custom racking and bedding system was designed and fabricated for Crystal’s solar panels, with a 10-degree slope and a non-roof-penetrating connection system. The entire system is comprised of 2,320 solar panels, associated racks, and 18 electrical power inverters. “Ultimately our new solar generation system will offset about 35% of Crystal’s total electricity usage,” said Chen. “We will purchase that electricity generated by the solar system on our factory rooftop from Amergy, thereby saving with lower electricity rates. This was a great decision for our operations, a great way to help New York City and New York State achieve their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and a great way to make the environment greener for everyone.”
Crystal Windows Expands YouTube Channel Offerings
– Includes Videos Providing Step-by-Step Installation Assistance – QUEENS, NY, March 15, 2022 – National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems has expanded its trade customer support services with a series of online instructional videos to assist with vinyl and aluminum window and door installations. Established on the popular YouTube platform, the Crystal Window & Door Systems NYC Channel offers brief step-by-step video guides to help trade customers with common situations such as installing window hardware, adjusting sliding window rollers and swing-door hinges, and adding window opening control devices. This supplements existing material on the channel. “We developed a couple of videos a while ago to serve as in-house training tools for our after-service team,” said Sabrina Leung, R&D/Engineering Manager. “They proved very helpful, so we decided to test them with some of our window installer customers. The feedback encouraged us to make them readily available for all our trade customers.” Crystal’s New York Sales Showroom team asked their window installation customers for their most common installation challenges, and Crystal’s Field-Service team inventoried the most frequent field adjustment service calls they are asked to make. The teams developed a list of situations they felt could be handled with instructional videos and the engineering staff created additional videos for the Crystal Windows YouTube channel. “If Crystal trade customers can complete an installation and perfect the window or door operation with minor adjustments to suit the field conditions by following one of our instructional videos, then the job is finished faster, the home or building owner is satisfied, and callbacks are eliminated,” said Leung. “Our videos are allowing us to help our customers in the field without delaying a project by having our service technicians visit a jobsite.” Crystal is developing new videos for assistance with screens, metal stop installations, locking point adjustments, and custodial locks, as well as highlights for new Crystal products being introduced this year. To see the Crystal installation and adjustment videos online, search YouTube for Crystal Window & Door Systems NYC and click on the company channel link. Or visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC25ZwkofsDaMGbS807oaXAQ and click on “videos” to see the entire selection currently available.
Crystal Windows Key to Jersey City Historic Restoration
-Landmark Repurposed for Retail, Offices, Art Studios, and Loft Apartments – QUEENS, NY, January 13, 2022 –Crystal Window & Door Systems products played a major role in the recent restoration and repurposing of a landmark building in Jersey City, NJ. The 10-story building located at 150 Bay Street utilized 515 custom modified Crystal windows on all four façades to retain the appearance and character of the 113-year old historic structure. Designed by famous architect Howard Chapin and built in 1908, 150 Bay Street originally served as a warehouse facility for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company and was know as the A&P Building. The building has been designated a landmark and is listed with the Federal Register of Historic Places. National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems created a custom historic window system for the renovation and repurposing of 150 Bay Street in Jersey City, a landmark property. The 150 Bay Street Building rehabilitation which included the restoration of the brick and masonry façade, ornate roof cornice, and cantilevered cable-supported loading dock shed roofs, was quite an undertaking. Replacing the antiquated wood windows with a modern window system that retained the historic characteristics of the building added to the challenge. Rising to the task of providing just such a window system, Crystal tapped into its broad array of corporate capabilities. Working closely with an outstanding fenestration installer Bluesky Windows and the project architect and general contractor, Crystal fast-tracked the concept of, design, and fabrication of a custom window system solution which met and exceeded the project’s historic restoration requirements. The Crystal custom modified window system replicates the original tall double-hung wood windows with a unique modern energy-efficient vertically-stacked twin project-out awning aluminum window. To truly deliver the project’s historic look, Crystal’s engineers utilized the resources of the company’s aluminum supply partners and its extrusion subsidiary to custom produce a special-frame variant of a standard projected window product, fabricate a 3-piece simulated divided light system, and replicate an historic-look sash with 1” putty line look glazing bead as well as historic panning. The 150 Bay Street project used Crystal’s Series 8620 Project-Out Awning windows. The Series 8620 windows were ordered in 2-lite vertically-stacked configurations and custom modified to suit the historic appearance requirements of the renovation project. With the building’s 14-ft. high loft ceiling heights, the windows are all very tall, and some are rather wide, with the largest being 58-½” wide by 81” tall. The Crystal Series 8620 is a top-of-the-line 3-¼” thermal-broken frame awning window with an AW-PG80 rating. The energy-efficient window features 1” dual-pane insulated glass with warm edge spacer and argon filling, as well as two rows of bulb weather stripping around the sash perimeter. The Crystal Series 8620 offers cam lock handles and four-bar HS/SS friction hinges to hold the sash in open positions. Optional sash opening limit devices were also specified. Crystal stacked project-out aluminum windows and crafted a custom applied grid system to replicate the look of building’s original double-hung wood windows. Also, the project required Crystal’s production of several custom aluminum historic panning extrusions for the head, jamb, and sill of the window openings. All the Crystal windows, panning, grid components, and visible installation accessories were finished in a two-tone special Arroyo Red exterior and white interior to enhance the historic appearance of the building. To meet the project’s historic specifications, Crystal made several custom modifications to the Series 8620. To emulate the building’s original wood windows, Crystal designed, and its supply partners fabricated, custom sash and frame extrusions. While the 2-lite stacked awning windows replicate the horizontal meeting rail of the original double-hung windows, each sash used special custom vertical simulated divided light (SDL) components to improve the historic aesthetics. The SDL components consisted of a standard colonial⅝” between-the-glass grid with aligned 1-¾” raised trapezoidal profile colonial tape-on aluminum grids affixed to the interior and exterior glass. Key players for the Bay Street renovation project included fenestration installer Bluesky Windows of New York, NY, and architect Fifield-Piaker-Elman Architects, also of New York, NY. The repurposed 10-story 203,000-ft2 building at 150 Bay Street now features ground floor retail, art studio workspaces on the second floor, and business offices on the third floor. The upper floors are residential loft apartments, with three floors used by Nyack College as student residences, and luxury penthouses on the top floor. Besides its historic, retro exterior, the building has many new features such as a roof patio, lounge areas, and a fitness center. The building is located in the Powerhouse Arts District, a lively artisan and business enclave in Jersey City, NJ. Part of the resurgence of the state’s second largest city of over 250,000 residents, the Powerhouse Arts District has cobblestone streets, rehabbed former industrial buildings, shops, coffee houses, restaurants, bars, outdoor streetscape spaces, and art galleries.
Crystal Launches Latest High-End Architectural Window
Crystal Windows’ new architectural Series 9200 Aluminum Window line combines superior thermal and structural performance. – New Series 9200 Aluminum Window Line Combines Outstanding Thermal and Structural Performance – QUEENS, NY, February 22, 2022 – Award-winning national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems is proud to announce the introduction of its newest heavy-commercial window line. Noted for its superior thermal and structural performance, the new Crystal Series 9200 is a high-end aluminum polyamide thermal barrier window capable of meeting today’s demanding energy, operating, and aesthetic demands. Now the flagship of the Crystal product lines, the Series 9200 is available in Tilt-and-Turn (dual action), In-Swing Casement, and Fixed/Picture window models and is well suited for all applications, especially mid- and high-rise buildings. “Crystal is really pleased to introduce its new Series 9200, our next generation advanced commercial window line,” said Sabrina Leung, R&D and Architectural Sales Manager. “Perhaps the window’s greatest feature is its outstanding thermal performance. Key to achieving superior energy efficiency is the incorporation of state-of-the-art polyamide struts in the frame (34mm) and in the sashes (47mm) to thermally isolate the window’s interior and exterior surfaces.” The Crystal 9200 is a 3-¼” jamb depth architecturally-rated window line with modern clean European-style frame and sash and utilizing an advanced energy efficient structure. Features adding to the visual appeal of the window line include the zero sightline sash design and concealed, heavy-duty hinges (up to 275-lb. weight capacity). Other energy efficiency features such as insulated glass unit (IGU) infills of 1” to 1-½” and the sash’s triple EPDM gasketing combine with the polyamide struts to achieve U-values from a great 0.31 to an outstanding 0.22 (with appropriate options). The standard IGU for all the Crystal Series 9200 models is 1” double-pane. Options include 1-¼” and 1-½” IGUs, as well as triple glass, argon gas filling, and a wide selection of low-emissivity coated glass choices. The Series 9200 windows provide some of the best structural performances of Crystal’s overall product lineup. The Tilt-and-Turn model, which features the dual action operation of tilting in at the head or swinging in from the jamb, is rated AW-PG60 (expected) with 12 psf water resistance. The Tilt-and-Turn model also offers a unique micro-ventilation position tilt-in feature. The structural rating of the In-Swing Casement model is an outstanding AW-PG100 with 12 psf water resistance, and the Fixed/Picture model is rated AW-PG75 with 12 psf water resistance. Numerous aesthetic options are available for the new Crystal Series 9200 product line. The Series 9200 models are finished in Crystal’s attractive, durable, and environmentally sustainable powder coat paint. The window’s polyamide thermal strut construction facilitates dual-finish, two-tone paint options, where the exterior and interior can be finished in two different colors. Crystal offers a broad palate of standard and custom colors in either the standard AAMA 2604 or upgraded AAMA 2605 powder coat finish to select from. Liquid paint options are also available. Other aesthetic options include a selection of between-the-glass and applied grids. From a functional standpoint, the Series 9200 product line’s continuous master frame option allows various window models to be combined into large multiple units providing expansive views. Special drywall receptor frames, full flex screens, extended lever handle, window opening limit devices, and a variety of traditional mullions and installation accessories are also available.
Crystal Invites you to Lin Shih Pao at Artexpo New York 2022
LIN SHIH PAO Golden Age Curated by Kate Chang and Kyoko Sato Artexpo New York 2022 | S.P. ART | Booth 205 Pier 36 | 299 South St, New York, NY 10002 VIP and Press Preview | Thursday, April 7, 4-5 pm Opening Night Preview | Thursday, April 7, 5-8 pm Public Fair Hours | Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, 11-7 pm | Sunday, April 10, 11-5 pm “A part of your purchase will be donated to support Ukraine through the STUF United Fund.” Tickets Art Gallery Shop Lin Shih Pao (b.1962, Taiwan) is a Taiwanese artist based in New York since 1995. He is currently an artist-in-residence at Crystal Foundation and Park, a program established by Crystal Window & Door Systems Ltd. in New York. Upon arrival in New York City after living in Japan for 8 years (1986-1994), he was shocked by people’s disregard for pennies. Pennies, he noticed, were ubiquitous on the street, yet no one picked them up. This American apathy was even more curious for Lin, who, after a stay at a Zen temple in Japan, came to believe there is a spirit in everything, including pennies. Lin allowed his curiosity to unfurl, and as a result, one of his most famous pieces was born. Pennies for Peace (1995-97) was made of one million donated pennies, earning him the moniker, “Penny Artist,” in New York City. Since then, recycled materials have served as his primary material source. His ongoing series, Chinese Zodiac (2018- ), consists of zodiac symbols constructed from thousands of donated New York MetroCards. Similarly, he gathered 25,000 baseballs to create The Tree of Hope (2019), and collected 25,000 used mobile phones to create F1 Like Car (2015). In 2006, he collected two hundred thousand pacifiers to form a Christmas tree piece. In 2005, he was invited to make a piece called Gate of Wisdom for the World’s Fair in Aichi, Japan, for which he collected three hundred thousand pens. Now, he brings his refurbishing lens as artist-in-residence to the Crystal Foundation and Park. As soon as Lin saw discarded window materials at the factory of Crystal Window & Door Systems, he saw an opportunity for rebirth. He gathered trash and built sculptures with it for Golden Age, his latest series. He heated, reshaped, and gilded PVC in a style not unlike the gorgeous, baroque architecture in the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast (2017) —a miraculous story about love and the transformation of life. Each of his “affectionate” works — as Lin puts it — reveals people’s stories of life and love, layered with experiences and dreams, piece by piece, item by item. In his Golden Age paintings, Lin ambitiously gives us an, “Endless view of the universe,” adding in both a passionate nostalgia and a yearning for new, scientific imaginations. With gold, he emphasizes his optimism and love for humankind, as if to say every single person’s life is infinitely radiant and complex. Lin’s work also integrates Asian philosophy and art styles. A collage of traditional Asian painting techniques with modern media, Lin’s work is uniquely post-surreal. According to past records, his Pennies for Peace (1995-97) was once considered for the United Nation’s permanent collection, but was ultimately rejected based on discriminatory politics in response to his Taiwanese heritage. However, Lin shows us that art resists boundaries and transcends limitations imposed by political borders. He, and his dream for peace, are empowered by like-minded dreamers who refuse to imagine limits in the first place. I cannot help but long for such dreamers to appreciate Lin Shih Pao’s limitless imagination this Spring in Golden Age. — Kyoko Sato, Curator Kyoko Sato is a Japanese independent curator based in New York City. She planned and materialized the exhibition Ancient Queens and Goddesses: Treasures from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum and The Kobe City Museum, Japan in 2014. In 2017, she joined the roster of renowned international curators at WhiteBox, the original Chelsea alternative non-profit art space, organizing a major historical exhibition, EXODUS I, A Colossal World: Japanese Artists and New York, 1950s – Present (2018) including works by 55 multifarious, significant artists including Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Yayoi Kusama, Yoko Ono, Shigeko Kubota and Hiroshi Senju. At present, Sato is a consultant to the Crystal Foundation and Park, NY as well as a US and Latin America consultant to tagboat.com, the largest online art gallery in Asia.
Crystal Windows Chairman Donates$1.1 Million for Queens College School of the Arts
Queens College President Frank Wu (left) and Queens Borough President Representative Tiffany Eason present proclamation to Crystal Chairman Thomas Chen recognizing The Chen Family gift to Queens College (photo by Crystal Windows) -Entrepreneur Thomas Chen and Family Establish Sustaining Endowment- QUEENS, NY, November 11, 2021 –Thomas Chen, Chairman and Founder of national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, and The ChenFamily are pleased to announce they have established a $1,105,000 endowment for Queens College in New York City. The substantial endowment will support programs at the College’s new School of the Arts. The endowment was announced by Thomas and his son Crystal President Steve Chen at a press conference held at Queens College on Wednesday, November 10th. The Thomas Chen Family/Crystal Windows Endowment will promote contemporary visual Asian art at Queens College through exhibitions, student scholarships, and a visiting artist program. Three generations of The Chen Family present their $1.105 million endowment to Queens College (photo courtesy of Dominick Totino Photography and Queens College). “I am proud to make this contribution on behalf of the Chen Family and Crystal Windows to Queens College,” said Thomas Chen. “As someone who never had the opportunity to attend college, I believe supporting a prestigious local institution like Queens College with its long history of benefitting immigrants and first-generation Americans makes perfect sense. This is the first major gift to the new School of the Arts, a subject near and dear to my heart. This makes the endowment very special to me and a wonderful legacy for my family.” Regarding the substantial gift to Queens College, President Frank Wu said, “Queens College is profoundly grateful for the generous support of Thomas Chen and The Chen Family, whose endowment will enable the college to offer exciting new programs and scholarships,” said President Wu. “At the same time, Thomas Chen’s remarkable life and outstanding career will inspire our students, showing them that with vision and hard work, the American dream is attainable.” US Congresswoman Grace Meng and New York State Senators Toby Stavisky and John Liu were among speakers to address the audience, and they noted Crystal Windows’ growth and success, its support of Queens philanthropic and cultural institutions, and its commitment to New York. Lee Fenerstock, President of the Queens College Foundation, and Simmi So, a current Queens College art student, spoke of what the endowment would mean to the College’s art programs. The Chens also received a proclamation from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards recognizing their magnanimous action. On behalf of The Chen Family, Thomas and Steve Chen presented the endowment to Queens College President Wu. “Even though our operations are now national, Queens remains the home of Crystal Windows. My family has always believed in sharing our good fortune to better the community,” said Steve Chen. “We have a longstanding interest in art, and we have focused much of our philanthropy on supporting the arts. Appreciation of art transcends the languages and borders that separate us. Art is a force that unites people and the world, so The Chen Family is happy this endowment will support the arts and art education in Queens for many generations to come.” Crystal Chairman Thomas Chen (left), President Steve Chen and Steve’s son pose with the endowment check presented to Queens College on November 10, 2021. Entrepreneur Thomas Chen is a true American success story. Speaking no English and with little money, he immigrated from rural Taiwan to the US in 1982 and worked several menial jobs. Then in 1990 he launched his own very modest manufacturing company, Crystal Window & Door Systems in Queens. The company grew steadily, expanded numerous times, and prospered. Today as Chairman, Thomas continues to provide vision and strategic guidance to the Crystal family of companies, which his son Steve now leads. His business acumen and accomplishments have been spotlighted over the years by national business publications, television news shows, and industry media and organizations. Thomas remains a strong and prominent role model to many in the American immigrant and New York business communities. Much of The Chen Family’s philanthropic activity is focused on the arts. Thomas Chen is a founding member of the Taiwanese American Arts Council, which collaborates with the Queens Museum to support Asian artists throughout the city. Over the years, The Chen Family has provided support to Queensborough Community College, Queens Theatre in the Park, the NYC Winter Lantern Festival, Flushing Town Hall, the Flushing Taiwan Center, and Queens College. Queens College is a top-tier 4-year and graduate university within The City University of New York (CUNY) system. Queens College enjoys a national reputation for its liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional programs. The college has more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students and is located on a beautiful, 80-acre campus in Flushing, Queens. It has been cited by Princeton Review as one of America’s Best Value Colleges for four consecutive years, as well as being ranked a U.S. News and World Report Best College and Forbes Magazine Best Value College due to its outstanding academics, generous financial aid packages, and relatively low costs.
Crystal Windows Defy Northern Climate for Wisconsin Projects
Crystal Window & Door Systems recently supplied two new multifamily projects in Wisconsin – City Center in Brillion. -Energy Efficient Vinyl WindowsEnhanceAffordable Housing Options – QUEENS, NY, November 8, 2021 –National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems recently completed supplying energy-efficient vinyl windows for two new construction mid-rise multifamily residences in Wisconsin. The Crescent Lofts project at 315 West Franklin Street in Appleton comprised the historic renovation and conversion of a nearly 90-year old building (the former home of the Appleton Post-Crescent newspaper)to 33 unique apartments, and a newly constructed 4-story addition with 36 units. Crystal supplied windows for the new addition; the windows in the original building were preserved. The City Center project at 230 North Main Street in Brillion features 40 apartments in a newly constructed 4-story building. “Crystal has a good reputation with builders throughout the Midwest and northern states for quality manufacturing and a wide selection of products for every type of project,” said Frank Ganninger, Central West Regional Manager. “We have supplied several projects in the past with Northcentral Construction and ABC Supply in the region and were pleased to participate again in new projects with them. We used enhanced glass packages for these windows and doors, making them ideal for the colder northern climate in Wisconsin.” From its Chicago production facility, Crystal Windows supplied 186 window and door products for the City Center project and 157 for the Crescent Lofts building. Both of the new construction projects in Wisconsin used a similar mix of Crystal products. By far, the most common window choice was the energy-efficient Crystal Series 300 Vinyl Single-Hung window. The Series 300 windows were specified in single, twin, and triple units, using the continuous head and sill configuration option for the latter two models. The double and triple units, spanning 5-feet and 7½-feet wide openings, provide extraordinary light and views for the building occupants.In addition to the single-hung windows, Crystal also supplied Series 310 Vinyl Picture windows for both projects. A few Series 320 2-Lite Single Sliding Vinyl windows were specified for the City Center building. All the Series 300 window models feature 2-⅝” jamb depth, integral nailing fin, energy-efficient extruded multi-chamber vinyl frames and sashes, full-welded corners, and ⅞” insulated glass units (IGUs). The Series 300 single-hung is rated R-PG-25/R-PG35, the picture window is rated R-PG45 and the slider is rated R-PG35. Crystal Window & Door Systems recently supplied two new multifamily projects in Wisconsin –Crescent Lofts in Appleton. For the City Center building’s 12 faux-railed balconies, Crystal Series 1500 Vinyl Sliding Patio Doors were used to provide appropriate aesthetics and larger fresh air openings. The Crescent Lofts project also specified a Series 1500 door. The 1500 Sliding Patio Doors have 4-⅝” frame depth with 1” IGUs and feature integral nailing fin and strong full-fusion sash and frame corners, delivering an SGD-R35/LC-PG35 structural performance rating. All the window and door materials were extruded in-house by Crystal in attractive and durable standard white color for City Center and beige for Crescent Lofts Apartments. Double locks were supplied for the operating windows, and some were specified with ADA auto-activating locks. In addition, all the operating windows and doors came factory equipped with Window Opening Control Device (WOCD) limit hardware. Key to the new projects, all the Crystal Series 300 windows used double-pane IGUs comprised of 1/8” Vitro Sungate 460 low-e glass with argon gas. Vitro Sungate 460 is designed especially for northern climates. The highly energy-efficient glass is clear and neutrally reflective in appearance and with its great U-value and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), it is compliant with regional building energy codes and is the perfect choice for Wisconsin winters and summers. Both the City Center Apartments in Brillionand the Crescent Lofts Apartments in Appleton were developed cooperatively with state funding to provide more affordable properties for the residents of these economically challenged communities as they experience rejuvenation. Each apartment development has both market rate and income restricted options for rent in 1-,2-, and 3-bedroom units. Both projects offer onsite underground parking, community and fitness centers, and secure storage facility options. With numerous multifamily, rehab, commercial, and hospitality projects in its portfolio, Northcentral Construction Company of Fond du Lac, WI, was the general contractor for both City Center and Crescent Lofts. ABC Supply of Beloit, WI, supplied the new windows from Crystal. Northpointe Development of Oshkosh, WI, spearheaded the two projects, which join a long list of their other community sensitive developments throughout the region. ACC Management Group provides property management services for the two projects.
