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
| Oct 6, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Kingspan Insulated Panels spotlights first-of-its-kind Environmental Product Declaration
Updates to Path to NetZero.
| Oct 4, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Johnsonite features sustainable products
Products include rubber flooring tiles, treads, wall bases, and more.
| Oct 4, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Wall protection line now eligible to contribute to LEED Pilot Credit 43
The Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Wall Protection Line offers an additional option for customers to achieve LEED project certification.
| Oct 3, 2011
Cauceglia to lead Allsteel’s global accounts
Cauceglia is responsible for developing new global business strategies and expanding existing business within the Fortune 500 sector.
| Sep 14, 2011
Insulated metal wall panels adorn Pennsylvania hospital
The $40 million, 80,000 sf medical office building includes more than 7,000 sf of architectural flat insulated metal wall panels.
| Feb 11, 2011
Four Products That Stand Up to Hurricanes
What do a panelized wall system, a newly developed roof hatch, spray polyurethane foam, and a custom-made curtain wall have in common? They’ve been extensively researched and tested for their ability to take abuse from the likes of Hurricane Katrina.
| Dec 17, 2010
5 Tips on Building with SIPs
Structural insulated panels are gaining the attention of Building Teams interested in achieving high-performance building envelopes in commercial, industrial, and institutional projects.
| Dec 7, 2010
Product of the Week: Petersen Aluminum’s column covers used in IBM’S new offices
IBM’s new offices at Dulles Station West in Herndon, Va., utilized Petersen’s PAC-1000 F Flush Series column covers. The columns are within the office’s Mobility Area, which is designed for a mobile workforce looking for quick in-and-out work space. The majority of workspaces in the office are unassigned and intended to be used on a temporary basis.
