1. DensElement Barrier System
Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
Project: Block 20 Condominium Tower, Portland, Ore. Problem: Needed a building envelope that could withstand Portland’s rainy climate. Solution: DensElement Barrier System with AquaKOR Technology integrates a gypsum core and a fiberglass mat to form a hydrophobic, monolithic surface that blocks bulk water but allows vapor to pass through. On the team: Bora Architects (design architect), Western Partitions (subcontractor), Andersen Construction (GC).
2. Majesta windows, Ultra Series doors
Kolbe Windows & Doors
Project: Hoover Hall, DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind. Problem: The windows and doors needed to complement the aesthetics of the campus. Solution: Majesta windows were custom made to meet the large size specified. Ultra Series doors were pre-hung and included hand-routed grooves in the wood to simplify electrical connections. On the team: Robert A.M. Stern Architects,
JC Ripberger (exterior contractor), Turner (GC).
3. Cambridge Mid-Balance mesh
Cambridge Architectural
Project: Thornton Flats, Austin, Texas Problem: The builder desired a relaxed South Austin vibe and wanted to highlight the indoor-outdoor spaces. Solution: The façade was accentuated with a metal mesh leaf pattern. It was created by powder-coating the surrounding mesh in antique bronze, which appears black. A tan wall behind the 50%-opacity mesh creates a 3D effect. On the team: PSW Homes (developer, designer, builder), L&S Erectors (installer).
4. Zipwall dust barrier
Zipwall
Project: King’s Creek Country Club Pro Shop, Rehoboth Beach, Del. Problem: The pro shop needed to remain open during a dusty renovation. Solution: A ZipWall Dust Barrier System and Magnetic Door was installed to contain the dust and debris associated with an outside patio addition and drywall installation. The 50-foot barrier, deemed to be more practical than a temporary wall, was installed in less
than five minutes.
5. PAC-CLAD in Weathered Steel
Petersen Aluminum + Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings
Project: The Parkside at Craig Ranch apartments and townhomes, McKinney, Texas Problem: The design team desired a weathering “corten steel” aesthetic, inspired by the canyons and countryside near El Paso. Color match, availability, and budget were critical. Solution: 11,000 sf of PAC-CLAD standing seam wall panels finished in Weathered Steel. The two-coat finish, by Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings, replicates the multi-tone appearance of actual weathered steel. On the team: JHP Architecture, Stazon Roofing (metal fabricator).
6. bird-friendly Starphire Ultra-Clear Glass
Vitro Architectural Glass + Walker Glass
Project: The National Aviary’s Tropical Rainforest, Pittsburgh Problem: Required a glass roof that would sustain wildlife and plant life throughout the year while keeping the spaces bird-safe. Solution: 3,100 panes of laminated Starphire Ultra-Clear Glass (from Vitro) with a bird-friendly AviProtek acid-etched finish (Walker). On the team: Montgomery Smith (preservation), Dlubak Specialty Glass (fabricator), Greenhouse RSI (installer).
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Structure Tone, Turner among the nation's busiest reconstruction contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 75 Reconstruction Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
IFMA workplace study: Average space per employee up 40 sf since 2007, likely due to corporate layoffs
The International Facility Management Association has released “Operations and Maintenance Benchmarks, Research Report #32,” a study outlining the facility trends affecting workplaces throughout North America. Among the new report’s findings are that the average space per person has risen nearly 40 square feet since 2007, likely due to recent corporate layoffs.
| Aug 11, 2010
ASHRAE research targets tying together BIM and energy efficiency
Ensuring that a common language of “energy efficiency” is spoken by both building information modeling software used by architects and energy analysis and simulation software used by engineers is the goal of new research funded by ASHRAE.
| Aug 11, 2010
M&A deal volume down 67% in engineering/construction sector: PricewaterhouseCoopers
Global Economic Uncertainty Results in Sluggish Deal Activity in U.S.; China Shows Significant Opportunity for Growth
| Aug 11, 2010
New Watt Stopper emergency relay panel
Watt Stopper/Legrand has developed a new relay panel to provide fail-safe emergency lighting in a variety of commercial settings. The Emergency Relay Panel option is UL924 listed for use on emergency circuits. It is available as an option with Watt Stopper’s 24 or 48 relay size Lighting Integrator (LI) low voltage lighting control panels.
| Aug 11, 2010
Three Opus Corporation companies file for bankruptcy
Opus Corporation, a developer headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., filed for bankruptcy in three of its five regional operating companies: Opus East, Opus South, and Opus West. CEO Mark Rauenhorst said sharp declines in commercial real estate values and tight credit markets caused difficulties in refinancing assets and restructuring lending agreements.
| Aug 11, 2010
'Too cold' and 'too hot' most common complaints among office workers, says IFMA study
The International Facility Management Association has released “Temperature Wars: Savings vs. Comfort,” a new study that takes an in-depth look at the most common thermal complaints made by workers and the variety of ways facility professionals respond to them.For many years, IFMA has surveyed facility professionals to learn the top office complaints among employees.
| Aug 11, 2010
SSOE, Fluor among nation's largest industrial building design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 Industrial Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
