HUNDREDS of square metres of glass from China and Australia will help give the Glasshouse its distinctive look when the $43 million building opens its doors.
Workers installed the first panes of glass on Wednesday.
Glasshouse project director Craig Milburn said construction company Hansen Yuncken would save $250,000 by buying much of the glass from China.
Mr Milburn could not provide the total cost of the glass yesterday.
But he said: “To save a quarter of a million dollars, it is a significant element of the building.”
The glass had to meet the building’s performance specifications, he said, such as stopping a certain amount of heat from coming in but allowing in light.
“Glass on the ground floor is clearer than the glass on the top floor, so people get the feeling it’s part of the public space on the ground floor,” he said.
The tough laminated glass is designed for public buildings.
It is hoped the facade glass will be installed by the end of September.
The Glasshouse includes a regional gallery over three levels, 620-seat tiered theatre and conference space.
The building is scheduled to open in February next year.