Project: Northwestern University Engineering Life Sciences
Location: Evanston, Ill.
Architect: Flad Architects
Glazing Contractor: Mid-States Glass and Metal, Inc.
Glazing System Supplier: Technical Glass Products
Glass Style: Fireframes ClearFloor® Fire-Rated Glass Floor System
In implementing Northwestern University’s Engineering Life Sciences infill design, Flad Architects faced the challenge of ensuring adequate, balanced light given the adjacent, existing building wings. This was particularly important in the nuclear magnetic resonance lab and other ground floor areas, as too much direct sunlight could harm specialized instruments.
To allow for light penetration from the fifth floor to the ground floor, the design team desired a large, central atrium. One potential setback with drawing light through the atrium was meeting fire and life safety codes. The firm needed a code-approved floor to divide the shaft into two segments, and to provide a barrier to fire and chemicals in the case of an accident. However, many of the floor systems available to meet these stringent fire and life safety codes were opaque fire-stopping materials such as concrete and corrugated steel.
To satisfy fire and life safety codes and help illuminate the infill, the design team used a fire-rated glass floor system developed by Technical Glass Products (TGP). The Fireframes ClearFloor® System consists of two-hour fire-rated Pilkington Pyrostop® heat barrier glass; a tempered, laminated walking surface glass; and a steel framing grid. It is fire-rated for two hours and provides a barrier to flames and smoke, as well as radiant and conductive heat.
“We needed a fire barrier in the atrium, but we didn’t want researchers and students to be in the dark,” says Garrett. “The fire-rated glass floor system allowed us to compartmentalize a very large volume of space without blocking off access to daylight.”
Fire-rated glass floor system doubles as light well. Photo: courtesy TGP
The fire-rated glass floor system supports loads up to 150 psf (732 kg/m2), which creates additional usable space in the project. The system’s textured, top-surface glass provides students and faculty with the necessary traction to walk across its surface without slipping. The use of ceramic etched laminated glass creates a mild opacity that allows the system to diffuse daylight from above the atrium down into the nuclear magnetic resonance ground-floor lab.
“Direct sunlight could damage the highly specialized instruments in the nuclear magnetic resonance lab,” says Garrett. “The pattern on the fire-rated glass floor system creates just enough opacity to allow for the transfer of soft, even light.”
Today, students studying on the fire-rated glass floor system can see the shape of instruments in the lab below. At the same time, the translucent glass provides privacy from ground-floor occupants looking up towards the light well above.
“It’s great to see the students are comfortable on the fire-rated glass floor. They have no hesitation to spend time studying on it,” adds Garrett.
For more information on the Fireframes ClearFloor System, along with TGP’s other specialty architectural glass and framing, visit www.fireglass.com.
Technical Glass Products
800.426.0279
800.451.9857 – fax
sales@fireglass.com
www.fireglass.com
Related Stories
| Mar 20, 2014
Common EIFS failures, and how to prevent them
Poor workmanship, impact damage, building movement, and incompatible or unsound substrate are among the major culprits of EIFS problems.
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Mar 7, 2014
Thom Mayne's high-tech Emerson College LA campus opens in Hollywood [slideshow]
The $85 million, 10-story vertical campus takes the shape of a massive, shimmering aircraft hangar, housing a sculptural, glass-and-aluminum base building.
| Mar 4, 2014
How EIFS came to America
Design experts from Hoffmann Architects offer a brief history of exterior insulation and finish systems in the U.S.
| Feb 19, 2014
AIA class: The ABCs of IMPs – How to design and build with insulated metal panels
This AIA/CES class offers insight in areas including policies and codes surrounding insulated metal panels, contributions from LEED and tax credits, energy modeling, and business development opportunities available with IMPs. Take this course and earn 1.0 AIA LU/HSW/SD.
| Feb 5, 2014
CENTRIA Redefines Coating System with Versacor® Elite
The Versacor Elite Coating System is a premium metal coating system that provides the highest level of protection in the harshest climatic or environmental conditions.
| Jan 28, 2014
White Paper: How metal buildings deliver long-term value to schools
A new white paper from Star Building Systems outlines the benefits of metal buildings for public and private school building projects.
| Jan 28, 2014
2014 predictions for skyscraper construction: More twisting towers, mega-tall projects, and 'superslim' designs
Experts from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat release their 2014 construction forecast for the worldwide high-rise industry.
| Jan 23, 2014
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill-designed Federation of Korean Industries tower opens in Seoul [slideshow]
The 50-story tower features a unique, angled building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) exterior designed to maximize the amount of energy collected.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
