The Campus Beacon

The University of North Dakota’s (UND) Robin Hall’s sleek, light-filled design features a curtainwall and storefront system to meet the structure’s modern aesthetic, sustainability goals and performance requirements. Opened last year as the tallest building in Grand Forks and the headquarters for the unmanned aircraft systems programs at UND’s nationally acclaimed John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, the $22-million, 72,000-sq.-ft. Robin Hall—designed by ICON Architectural Group—rises five stories and ascends into a 127-ft. glass and metal tower at the structure’s entrance. Brin Contract Glazing worked closely with ICON and Tubelite to accom

Advances

Wall Coverings

Creating a Splash

As a multilayered, ultra-thin 0.25-in. (6-mm) decorative laminate that emits light evenly across its surface, LumiSplash has impressive impact-, scratch-, chemical- and abrasion-resistant properties. LumiSplash is the first ultra-thin, lighted laminate system with no air gap required for LEDs. This system uses a Light Bar and Light Guide Panel to produce luminance across a translucent surface. Using this system, it combines art with lighting in a durable laminate, creating a unique focal point for any home or business. It comes with necessary electrical components to simply plug into a 110-volt receptor or it can also be hardwired for permanent installations by a local electrician. It is sui

Case Study

Flooring

Finding Daylight

Architect Donald G. Copper LEED AP, of G|R|E|C Architects’ design for a residential tower in a dense urban neighborhood in Chicago brings unexpected daylight into the building. The 15-story, 199-unit apartment building is in a dense area of Chicago with very little green space, guiding the desire for incorporating daylight as a design priority. To connect the stairs to the loft library and the building offices, instead of using concrete, carpet, and other materials that would darken the space, Copper used translucent glass. The glass catwalk brings daylight into the area while still being highly usable and functional. The glass, LITEFLAM XT 60, allows light reflections through the glas

Advances

Fabrics & Textiles

'Athleisure' at the Office

Movement, action and performance are what we expect from athletes and now they are a desirable quality in the corporate environment. PFRM from Carnegie is a collection of sport-forward designs based on technical performance fabrics expected in athletic realms combined with the desired refined, flattering and aesthetic found in today’s “athleisure” wardrobes. Carnegie unveiled its collaboration with Gensler design principal, Lee Pasteris, to NeoCon audiences last June where the design concept in performance fabrics for furniture garnered rave reviews. The collaboration between Carnegie and Gensler produced a playful collection of fabrics that takes its cues from the flexibil

Case Study

Glass & Curtainwall

Mixed-Use, Transit-Oriented Development Earns Gold

The city of Portland, Oregon’s new 10-story, mixed use, transit-oriented development known as Slate earned LEED Gold. Formerly Block 75, the high-efficiency building features window, entrance and unitized curtainwall systems. A cornerstone in the city’s efforts to revitalize the Burnside Bridgehead area, Slate rises on a previously vacant lot. Opened in Sept. 2016, the project spans 147,000 sq. ft. and offers 75 market-rate apartment units on the upper six floors; 35,000 sq. ft. of creative co-working office workspace on the second and fourth floors; and 7800 sq. ft. of retail space at street level.Designed by Works Progress Architecture for co-developers Urban Development Partne

Advances

Metal Fabrications

Heavy Duty Steel Framing System Reduces Material & Labor Costs

The HDS Framing System from ClarkDietrich is a labor-saving, multi-purpose steel framing system that eliminates box beam header assembly, as well as stud-to-track nesting for post, header and jamb studs. The system’s superior strength and carrying capacity results in high performance with fewer framing members, thereby reducing material and labor costs by up to 50%. As with all ClarkDietrich steel framing products, the HDS system has a published Environmental Product Declaration and contributes directly towards achieving Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credits in LEED v4.

AP ProductWire

June 12, 2019 by Megan Mazzocco

Privacy in the Age of Nomads

The future workplace requires tools that equip nomadic work-forces for success in shared spaces, where productivity can rely heavily on comfort levels, including quiet and privacy. Now that people can pretty much work where they want, it’s time to pay attention to partitions and, at least, semi-enclosed public spaces. With the open office becoming a rampant trend, it’s especially critical to account for areas where people can put their heads down, so to speak, in concentration. Carefully considered partitions offer one strategy. That said, there are three reasons getting partitions right pays off: 1) First is light: you may illuminate a partition with LEDs or natural light, or perforate it for a play of light and shadow; 2) Partitions deliver a sense of unity, even transparency, in design while still providing a level of privacy determined by its materiality—which can range from felt to glass, metal or even stone; 3) Partitions easily adapt to the rapidly changing nature of our tech-based existences: when organizations change, merge or restructure, partitions can form new departments quickly and efficiently. With NeoCon in full gear, expect to see the next phase of co-working solutions on display. Below are a few examples of particularly effective partitions.

Advances

Contract Products/Accessories

Cool Heads Prevail

The Vario cooling 400 series from Gaggenau offers a fully integrated, built-in modular range of refrigerators, freezers, fridge-freezers and wine climate cabinets which can be partnered to meet an array of interior configurations. A cooling wall concept integrates into the overall kitchen structure. Clear glass shelving is complemented by a glow from warm white, glare-free LED lights. The 400 also features a wine cabinet for a weekly cocktail hour. Available with an opening assist system, a proximity sensor activates ice and water dispenser, light and touch keys.

Case Study

Water Management

A Formula for Stormwater Retention and Reuse

Some reputations die hard. Granted, Pittsburgh’s legacy as a sooty, steel-making city a century ago was well-earned, but it’s also a thing of the past. In its place is a widespread commitment to environmental stewardship that is slowly but surely earning The ‘Burgh’ a new and better standing in the public eye. The latest example of this new era is the Frick Environmental Center, the first municipally owned, fee-free public building in the U.S. to earn Living Building certification, a rigorous protocol by the International Living Future Institute.“The international recognition of the Frick Environmental Center is the perfect reflection of the deeply rooted c

Case Study

Glass & Curtainwall

A Toronto Tower Honors Past and Present

Guardian Glass helped Kohn Pedersen Fox and WZMH Architects beautifully harmonize new and old in Toronto’s financial core. EY Tower architects Kohn Pederson Fox Associates and WZMH Architects aimed to meet ambitious sustainability goals and manage a sensitive historic reconstruction all in one project. Occupant wellbeing was a core design consideration for the team. Anticipating the effects of harsh Toronto winters on the building, the architects sought ways to prevent heat loss. The EY Tower architects knew that glass selection would play an important role in honoring the past while creating an eye-catching, efficient addition to the Toronto skyline. Constructed i

Architectural Products

The Campus Beacon

Read the Digital Edition

Jun ’19

Creating a Splash

Finding Daylight

'Athleisure' at the Office

Mixed-Use, Transit-Oriented Development Earns Gold

Heavy Duty Steel Framing System Reduces Material & Labor Costs

AP ProductWire

Privacy in the Age of Nomads

Cool Heads Prevail

A Formula for Stormwater Retention and Reuse

A Toronto Tower Honors Past and Present