Project: Mill Brook Elementary School
Location: Concord, N.H.
Architect: HMFH Architects
Glazing Contractor: R & R Window Contractors
Product: Fireframes® Aluminum Series frames with Pilkington Pyrostop® glass firewall
A core objective of the Mill Brook Elementary School renovation in Concord, N.H., was creating an environment that promotes collaborative learning. HMFH Architects helped fulfill this vision by developing a multi-use “learning corridor” that brings education beyond the classroom.
The corridor weaves its way throughout the school’s shared spaces, incorporating areas for presentations, personal study and group projects. Vibrant colors evoke a playful, energetic ambiance to foster inter-grade learning, while easy access to technology and Wi-Fi support modern day curriculum needs and encourage interdisciplinary teaching methods.
Among the building elements contributing to the success of the elementary school’s public learning areas is a fire-rated stairwell that supports the school’s vision for collaboration. HMFH Architects designed the stairwell to be bright and open, reflecting the playful energy of students. They achieved this goal by pairing Fireframes® Aluminum Series fire-resistant frames with Pilkington Pyrostop® fire-resistant glass, both supplied by Technical Glass Products (TGP).
Rather than the bulky, wrap-around frames often associated with traditional fire-rated framing systems, the Fireframes Aluminum Series fire-rated frames have slender profiles that can be custom wet painted, anodized or powder coated in nearly any color. Custom aluminum face caps are also available for design teams seeking to create a unique look or maintain visual consistency with surrounding windows and curtain walls. In this application, the narrow fire-rated frames were powder coated a bright purple to match the interior color scheme—a key aesthetic benefit since learning areas are integrated into public spaces outside student classrooms.
The Fireframes Aluminum Series fire-rated frames also provided the design team with the flexibility to follow the stairwell’s custom corner angles and create a tall expanse of fire-rated glazing with minimal framing. These elements add to the assembly’s sleek design, and improve visibility for students using the stairway. As was the case in Mill Brook Elementary School, design professionals can use the Fireframes Aluminum Series in applications requiring a two-hour barrier to radiant and conductive heat transfer.
Pilkington Pyrostop is fire-tested as a wall assembly, allowing for unrestricted amounts of transparent glazing. In the elementary school stairwell, the clear glazed lites help draw daylight deep into the stairwell core and extend line of sight for students and faculty. Pilkington Pyrostop also meets the impact requirements of CPSC 16CFR1201 Category I and/or Category II – a critical performance benefit for glass used in busy stairwells.
Together, Fireframes Aluminum Series fire-resistant frames and Pilkington Pyrostop fire-resistant glass offer fire-ratings of up to two hours and block the transfer of radiant heat, providing essential protection should students need to exit a building during a fire. For more information on the products, along with TGP’s other specialty fire-rated and 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
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Why the mobile workplace isn't always mobile
Perkins+Will’s Janice Barnes addresses the nuance in mobility types and explains the importance of defining terms upfront.
University Buildings | Feb 17, 2015
BD+C exclusive: How security is influencing campus design and construction
Campus crime—whether real or perceived—presents Building Teams with more opportunities for early-stage consultation with university clients.
Architects | Feb 17, 2015
Architecture billings dip in January, severe weather likely to blame
“This easing in demand for design services is a bit of a surprise given the overall strength of the market over the past nine months,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
California launches pilot program to finance multifamily retrofits for energy efficiency
The Obama Administration and the state of California are teaming with the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation on a pilot program whose goal is to unlock Property-Assessed Clean Energy financing for multifamily housing.
Sponsored | Building Team | Feb 17, 2015
Why diversity matters
Companies in the top quartile for gender or racial and ethnic diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their national industry medians.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
Young Millennials likely to return home
Ninety percent of individuals born between 1980 and 1984 and who hold a Bachelor’s degree left home before they were 27 years hold. However, half of this group later returned to their parents’ home, according to a study by the National Longitudinal Study of Youth.
Sponsored | Modular Building | Feb 17, 2015
When lava flow in Hawaii threatens a public school district, officials turn to modular
Hawaii Modular Space, a Williams Scotsman company, designed temporary classroom space for the Pahoa and Keeau schools that would become displaced due to ongoing lava flow in Pahoa, Hawaii.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 17, 2015
10 healthcare trends worth sharing
The rise of the medical home model of care and ongoing Lean value stream improvement are among the top healthcare industry trends.
High-rise Construction | Feb 17, 2015
Work begins on Bjarke Ingels' pixelated tower in Calgary
Construction on Calgary’s newest skyscraper, the 66-story Telus Sky Tower, recently broke ground.
Mixed-Use | Feb 13, 2015
First Look: Sacramento Planning Commission approves mixed-use tower by the new Kings arena
The project, named Downtown Plaza Tower, will have 16 stories and will include a public lobby, retail and office space, 250 hotel rooms, and residences at the top of the tower.
