At first I was a bit disapointed finding that the Highland Village Apple Store roof would not be transparent. Having survived many hot Houston summers, I can appreciate the necessity. But still, why go with glass if you want opaque? Here’s why.
When I caught a glimpse of the ceiling a few months ago, I thought it looked odd but I could not place why. The photo at the right shows the underside of the center ceiling panels. I shot it one night when winds were high, blowing the black tarps about. The interior of the store was brightly lit, but the ceiling seemed overly reflective for what I thought, at the time, to be clear glass.
We now know that most of the ceiling will be opaque and after reviewing some of my older photos tonight I believe it is more than just a concession to Texas weather. Check out the night time shot to the right. It’s a dark photo without much detail, but notice how the roof shines so brightly that you can see it’s glow even through the black tarps.
Adding the light grey opaque layers in the glass roof panels make them more reflective than transparent glass. They bounce that interior lighting back like a lighthouse mirror, causing the ceiling to shine like a beacon in the night. This will create a much more impressive display at night than a clear roof ever could.
