Project Name: Midtown Community Court in New York, NY (314 West 54th Street)
Architect: DMJM / AECOM
Glazing Contractor: Egan Architectural Metal & Glass
Products used: 2-Hour Fire Resistive Curtain Wall featuring SuperLite II-XL 120 IGU in SAFTIfire CW Framing
Midtown Community Court, designated as a New York Historic Landmark, embarked on an $18 million renovation, which included a 43,000-sf, six-story building. However, the building’s south-facing elevation was in close proximity to the property line. Not wanting to sacrifice natural daylight and views to the outside, the architects specified SuperLite II-XL 120 IGU in SAFTIfire CW Framing for the 2-hour fire resistive curtain wall, designed as a continuous span from the 1st floor up to the 6th floor.
The SAFTIfire CW Glass and Framing System is unique because it performs as a fire barrier while still being part of the building’s exterior skin. It provides protection in the event of a fire while enhancing the building’s overall aesthetics and performance. This is why in addition to meeting ASTM E119 for two hours with hose stream, SAFTI FIRST’s fire resistive curtain wall also had to meet air and water infiltration testing per ASTM E783 and ASTM E1105, seismic loads, periodic maintenance/equipment loads and wind loads.
The architects were also took advantage of SuperLite II-XL 120’s large glass sizes, which is currently the largest available in the market for two-hour fire resistive applications (up to 4,876 sq. in. clear view area and up to 124 in. on the long side). The glass units were insulated with clear low-e glass for additional energy performance.
The aluminum covers used in the SAFTIfire CW Framing System, supplied with a Bone White 3-coat Kynar finish, mimics the appearance of an aluminum pressure wall, making it easy to match the non-rated exterior glazing systems seamlessly. Since the SAFTIfire CW Framing system is thermally broken, it is a natural selection for exterior fire resistive applications in places that experience extreme weather like the Northeast. The system also had to meet 35 STC, which SuperLite II-XL 120 easily met, it having an STC rating of 44.
Related Stories
| Mar 27, 2013
Kawneer dedicates new floodwall at its Bloomsburg facility
Kawneer Company, Inc., an Alcoa business and the leading manufacturer of architectural aluminum products and systems for commercial construction, dedicated a new floodwall at their Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania facility, heralding greater levels of safety and stability for employees and customers.
| Mar 23, 2013
Fire resistive curtain wall helps mixed-use residential building meet property line requirements
The majority of fire rated glazing applications occur inside the building in order to allow occupants to exit the building safely or provide an area of refuge during a fire. But what happens when the threat of fire comes from the outside? This was the case for The Kensington, a mixed-use residential building in Boston.
| Mar 20, 2013
Folding glass walls revitalize student center
Single-glazed storefronts in the student center at California’s West Valley College were replaced with aluminum-framed, thermally broken windows from NanaWall in a bronze finish that emulates the look of the original building.
| Feb 21, 2013
Long-tenured Centria employee receives promotion
H.H. Robertson Floor Systems, a CENTRIA company, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kevin Daily to leader of the division. Daily, a 40-year veteran with CENTRIA, replaces former leader, Al Smith, who retired after 51 years with the company.
| Oct 30, 2012
Two-hour fire rated curtain wall passes CDC tests
CDC (Curtain Wall Design and Consulting) is an independent firm providing a wide range of building envelope design, engineering, and consulting services to design professionals nationwide.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| Apr 27, 2012
China Mobile selects Leo A Daly to design three buildings at its new HQ
LEO A DALY, in collaboration with Local Design Institute WDCE, wins competition to design Phase 2, Plot B, of Campus.
| Apr 13, 2012
Goettsch Partners designs new music building for Northwestern
The showcase facility is the recital hall, an intimate, two-level space with undulating walls of wood that provide optimal acoustics and lead to the stage, as well as a 50-foot-high wall of cable-supported, double-skin glass