1. Starter boards
Dryvit
Project: Lifestyle Communities, Nashville, Tenn. Problem: The design called for eight-inch EPS shapes around the windows, which meant back-wrapping these termination points in the field would have been near impossible. Solution: Dryvit Acrocore Starter Boards were integral to the project at these termination points. The boards are uniformly machine-coated to produce a product that is three times harder and stronger than traditional hand-applied starter boards. Also, installing pre-coated starter boards was three times faster than manual back wrapping.
2. High-performance wall cladding
Sto
Project: Hyatt House hotel, New York City. Problem: New York hotel needed a high-performance cladding system that provided the look and feel of natural limestone. Solution: StoTherm ci Lotusan with a limestone finish was used between floors nine and 32. The insulation wall system consists of a high-performance wall cladding integrating several control layers: StoGuard waterproof air barrier for air, water, and vapor controls; expanded polystyrene for thermal controls; and StoLit Lotusan, a textured, superhydrophobic coating with self-cleaning properties as the watershed control layer.
3. Roof and wall insulation
Atlas Roofing
Project: Los Angeles International Airport concourse. Problem: The project needed an insulation solution to help meet the California Green Building Standards Code Mandatory and Tier 1 requirements. Solution: The design and construction team used more than 215,000 sf of Atlas EnergyShield CGF Pro for wall insulation and 500,000 sf of ACFoam-II for roof insulation due to their low VOC emissions and performance. The EnergyShield GCF Pro wall insulation is vapor permeable and composed of a Class A fire-rated (NFPA 285 compliant), closed-cell polyiso rigid foam core faced with a high-performance coated glass facer on the front and back. The ACFoam roof panels needed to be custom made (2x8 feet as opposed to the typical 4x4 or 4x8 feet) in order to meet the architect’s design needs. On the team: Gensler and gkkworks (now CannonDesign) designed the project. Turner Construction and PCL Construction managed the construction.
4. Metal roof
Petersen Aluminum
Project: Palmetto Bluff Resort, Bluffton, S.C. Problem: A metal roof product that complements Low Country architecture was desired for an addition to one of the largest waterfront properties on the East Coast. Solution: A Pac-Clad Snap-Clad roof finished in Patricia Bronze, was selected and installed on a tight deadline. 75,000 sf of the 24 gauge Galvalume panels were used to complement the Low Country architecture while helping to keep the project within the scope of the original buildings. On the team: HKS (architect), Choate Construction (GC).
5. Wood-look architectural aluminum
Linetec + Kawneer
Project: Asplundh Cancer Pavilion, Philadelphia. Problem: The design team wanted the architectural aluminum system to resemble the look and texture of natural wood to complement its biophilic design. Solution: The facility’s exterior includes large, vertical sunshade fins and eight- to 12-inch-deep horizontal curtain wall cover plates, manufactured by Kawneer, that were finished by Linetec in a hazelnut brown, textured wood grain color. The finished aluminum looks like real wood and is termite and insect proof, UV and corrosion resistant, and fire retardant. On the team: EwingCole (architect), R.A. Kennedy & Sons (exterior glazing), Structure Tone (CM).
6. Metal mesh canopy
Cambridge Architectural
Project: The Towers @ Great America, Santa Clara, Calif. Problem: The outdoor dining area at this multi-tenant office complex needed shading while still offering connectivity to a redesigned amenities building and indoor eating space. Solution: A draped metal mesh canopy casts soft shadows to help minimize direct sunlight and glare. A 45-foot-long mechanical sliding glass wall separates the outdoor eating area and the indoor dining space. The canopy acts as a continuation of the overhead plane, especially when the wall is open, to further connect the two spaces. Seventy stainless steel mesh panels were used for the project in Cambridge’s Mid Shade pattern with 42% open area. On the team: Little and AP+I Design (architects).
Related Stories
Mass Timber | Jul 11, 2023
5 solutions to acoustic issues in mass timber buildings
For all its advantages, mass timber also has a less-heralded quality: its acoustic challenges. Exposed wood ceilings and floors have led to issues with excessive noise. Mass timber experts offer practical solutions to the top five acoustic issues in mass timber buildings.
Building Materials | Jun 14, 2023
Construction input prices fall 0.6% in May 2023
Construction input prices fell 0.6% in May compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices declined 0.5% for the month.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Jun 5, 2023
27 important questions about façade leakage
Walter P Moore’s Darek Brandt discusses the key questions building owners and property managers should be asking to determine the health of their building's façade.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 27, 2023
Watch: Specifying materials in multifamily housing projects
A trio of multifamily housing experts discusses trends in materials in their latest developments. Topics include the need to balance aesthetics and durability, the advantages of textured materials, and the benefits of biophilia.
3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023
University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed
The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Apr 5, 2023
Façade innovation: University of Stuttgart tests a ‘saturated building skin’ for lessening heat islands
HydroSKIN is a façade made with textiles that stores rainwater and uses it later to cool hot building exteriors. The façade innovation consists of an external, multilayered 3D textile that acts as a water collector and evaporator.
Windows and Doors | Apr 4, 2023
Schweiss Doors erects manufacturing building to showcase new doors
Schweiss Doors, the premier manufacturer of hydraulic and bifold liftstrap doors, erected a new manufacturing facility which will also serve as a showcase for the company’s new “free-standing” header frames.
Windows and Doors | Mar 5, 2023
2022 North American Fenestration Standard released
The 2022 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, “North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights” (NAFS) has been published. The updated 2022 standard replaces the 2017 edition, part of a continued evolution of the standard to improve harmonization across North America, according to a news release.
AEC Innovators | Mar 3, 2023
Meet BD+C's 2023 AEC Innovators
More than ever, AEC firms and their suppliers are wedding innovation with corporate responsibility. How they are addressing climate change usually gets the headlines. But as the following articles in our AEC Innovators package chronicle, companies are attempting to make an impact as well on the integrity of their supply chains, the reduction of construction waste, and answering calls for more affordable housing and homeless shelters. As often as not, these companies are partnering with municipalities and nonprofit interest groups to help guide their production.
Codes | Mar 2, 2023
Biden Administration’s proposed building materials rules increase domestic requirements
The Biden Administration’s proposal on building materials rules used on federal construction and federally funded state and local buildings would significantly boost the made-in-America mandate. In the past, products could qualify as domestically made if at least 55% of the value of their components were from the U.S.
