Photos: SAFTI FIRST
Project: Ridgewood High School
Location: Norridge, Ill.
Architect: DLA Architects
Glazier: Lake Shore Glass
Products: SuperLite II-XL 60 and SuperLite II-XL 60 Satin Etch in GPX Framing
Ridgewood High School in Norridge, Ill., is a school that boasts fantastic facilities within a modest footprint. A short 10-minute drive from Chicago O’Hare airport, Ridgewood High is a good example of how urban schools must utilize space economically to create the largest possible and most effective learning, performance and sporting environments.
For a recent renovation of a stairwell and its connecting exit corridors, Ridgewood looked to DLA Architects for help with their daylighting and fire protection needs.
In order to meet the code requirements and maximize the daylight penetrating into the building, the architects decided to use fire rated glass in the one-hour exit corridor. Because the glazing exceeds 25% of the wall area, fire resistive glass and framing assemblies rated equal to the wall had to be used.
The design team specified SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Framing to create transparent wall systems that feature superior optical clarity from the glass and clean, storefront-like appearance from the framing, while providing safe egress to occupants and visual access for fire fighters in the event of a fire. As Ridgewood lies under the approach path into O’Hare airport, the high STC ratings provided by SuperLite II-XL 60 proved to be an added benefit.
Ridgewood High School had other design requirements that SAFTI FIRST was able to meet. Part of the renovation included a private office for security personnel, and Ridgewood wanted increased privacy for this location while maintaining the natural daylighting aspects and maximum fire protection featured throughout the school.
To meet these requirements, SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 60 with a Satin Etch. SuperLite II-XL can be easily customized to include various decorative make-ups as well as added protection against forced entry, bullets, blast and hurricane, and UV. As seen in the accompanying project photo, the security office at Ridgewood also features a segmented application of the GPX Framing.
Typical of school renovations, this phase of Ridgewood’s renovation had to be completed while students were on vacation. SAFTI FIRST “was very assistive in the design, schedule and shipping to keep this tight summer project on schedule,” says Greg Crider of Lake Shore Glass, the company hired to install the fire rated system.
The finish used on the GPX Framing cohesively ties together other black accents in the flooring, skirting, and other areas that create a thematic look throughout the interiors of various buildings at Ridgewood High School. The final result is a renovation that improves the safety and security of all building occupants, providing enhanced privacy where required while also maximizing overall daylight.
Related Stories
| Nov 12, 2014
Designs by three finalists for new Beethoven concert hall unveiled
David Chipperfield and Valentiny are among the finalists for a new concert hall being built to commemorate Beethoven’s 250th birthday in his hometown of Bonn, Germany.
| Nov 12, 2014
Forbes: Houston is America's #1 construction hotspot
A new list of America's 20 biggest boomtowns shows Houston on top, with New York City close behind, followed by Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
| Nov 11, 2014
Must see: Artist pairs up Hollywood icons with famous modern architecture
In his latest series, Federico Babina illustrated 17 iconic Hollywood personalities, from Marilyn Monroe to Michael Caine, interacting with famous 20th century homes.
| Nov 11, 2014
Renzo Piano's third building at London Bridge Quarter approved, will be built adjacent to the Shard
Renzo Piano Building Workshop has been granted planning approval for its residential building at London Bridge Quarter—a 26-story apartment tower dubbed Feilden House.
| Nov 10, 2014
5 guiding principles for solving airflow issues in open-plenum office spaces
Although architecturally appealing, exposed ceilings can create unwanted drafts and airflow problems if not engineered correctly. McGuire Engineers' Bill Stangeland offers tips for avoiding airflow issues on these projects.
| Nov 10, 2014
Clemson, Parsons architecture education programs honored for innovation, long-term impact
The architecture programs at Parsons The New School for Design and Clemson University have been selected as 2014 NCARB Award recipients for developing innovative curricula that merge practice and education.
| Nov 10, 2014
Herzog & De Meuron unveils plan for National Library of Israel
The library’s new home will be a completely new building in Jerusalem, and will combine the functions of a central research center, a venue for indoor and outdoor cultural and educational activities, and a place for digital experience.
| Nov 10, 2014
Hotel construction pipeline hits five-year high
The hotel construction pipeline hit a five-year high in the third quarter, clocking in at 3,516 projects and 443,936 rooms, Lodging Econometrics reports.
| Nov 7, 2014
Arts college uses creative financing to build 493-bed student housing
Many states have cut back funding for higher education in recent years, and securing money for new housing has been tougher than ever for many colleges and universities. A recent residence hall project in Boston involving three colleges provides an inspiring example of how necessity can spawn invention in financing strategies.
| Nov 7, 2014
Prefab helps Valparaiso student residence project meet an ambitious deadline
Few colleges or universities have embraced prefabrication more wholeheartedly than Valparaiso (Ind.) University. The Lutheran-based institution completed a $27 million residence hall this past summer in which the structural elements were all precast.