GDA Architects designed the $90 million Confluence building at Riverfront Park in Denver, Colorado as a modern 34-story tower. With 288 luxury multifamily apartments, the Confluence was designed to be the tallest building in Riverfront Park, requiring a solution for a common problem in multi-level buildings: interior finishing deflection cracks.
In multi-level buildings, the upper floors exert force upon the lower floors and can cause cracking of the drywall where the lower floor wall meets the ceiling, especially when the upper floors are subject to variable load, impact, or other unexpected forces. These cracks are unattractive and a frequent motivation for repair calls in buildings where they occur.
In designing The Confluence, GDA Architects had to resolve the possible deflection of the floors to ensure the integrity of the drywall below. They chose Trim-Tex Deflection Bead to absorb these forces and ensure a superior drywall finish. Deflection bead not only eliminates cracks, but also leaves a clean shadow line finish at the head of the wall.
(Left) Inside corner cracking. (Right) Blistering inside corner due to deflection.
Wall-Mounted Deflection Bead features a co-extruded flexible gasket that compresses and expands during architectural deflection to provide protection for as much as 7/16” of deflection. Deflection Bead also features a tear-off strip that acts as a masking guide to protect the concrete finish from mud. The strip is then easily removed during final sanding, leaving the wall with a clean, finished edge.
Trim-Tex Deflection Bead is permitted in both fire-rated and non-fire- rated assemblies. GDA paired it with Hilti’s Firestop Top Track Seal to achieve a wall that is fire-rated as well as cleanly finished and free of cracks. The combined system fills in the gap between metal tracks and imperfect concrete, as well as prevents smoke, air, and sound transfer.
Additionally, GDA Architects’ inclusion of Trim-Tex Deflection Bead offers peace of mind to the building’s owner, who will have lower building maintenance costs, and happier residents enjoying their beautiful, modern home.
For more information on Trim-Tex Deflection Bead visit www.trim-tex.com.
Related Stories
Sponsored | Walls and Partitions | Jun 4, 2015
Experience Possibilities: The Linq Hotel and Casino
Architectural vision, fabrication know-how and ALPOLIC® materials transform the Las Vegas dreamscape.
Sponsored | Walls and Partitions | Mar 25, 2015
Metl-Span systems meet design needs in cost effective manner
The goal from the beginning was to construct an energy efficient building with insulated metal panels.
| Dec 28, 2014
Robots, drones, and printed buildings: The promise of automated construction
Building Teams across the globe are employing advanced robotics to simplify what is inherently a complex, messy process—construction.
| Oct 16, 2014
Perkins+Will white paper examines alternatives to flame retardant building materials
The white paper includes a list of 193 flame retardants, including 29 discovered in building and household products, 50 found in the indoor environment, and 33 in human blood, milk, and tissues.
| Sep 22, 2014
Sound selections: 12 great choices for ceilings and acoustical walls
From metal mesh panels to concealed-suspension ceilings, here's our roundup of the latest acoustical ceiling and wall products.
| Jul 24, 2014
MIT researchers explore how to make wood composite-like blocks of bamboo
The concept behind the research is to slice the stalk of bamboo grass into smaller pieces to bond together and form sturdy blocks, much like conventional wood composites.
| Jul 24, 2014
Glazing options in correctional and detention facilities
Like it or not, the number of incarcerated people in the U.S. continues to rise. With that, increased security in all aspects of these facilities continues to be a priority. This is where security glazing products that allow line of sight for supervisors to observe and still maintain secure separation can play a key role. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Jun 23, 2014
Firestone Building Products reveals 2014 Red Shield Metal Wall Systems certified contractors
Twenty-five top-performing firms honored as certified contractors.
