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Connect students to the outdoors without compromising energy efficiency

April 5, 2023
3 min read

A brief history of the problem 

The 86,000 square-foot Charter Oak International Academy, serving 560 young students, aligns its philosophy with the United Nations’ mission of fostering world peace, helping students to make connections locally and globally. Although the community found the Charter Oak International Academy endearing, the old structure was dark and constraining. To enhance the new structure, the architectural team learned that children and parents desired state-of-the-art design and energy saving features. Most importantly, the new school needed to incorporate natural light and connect students to the outdoors. Perkins Eastman Architects designed a circular building for the International Magnet School, like the round table setting in which U.N. officials gather for their round table discussions.

 

Location of the job and the name of the client 

West Hartford Connecticut; Perkins Eastman Architects 

 

What was needed for the solution 

The award-winning building was designed to maximize energy efficiency, save water, and create a park-like environment conducive to collaborative, hands-on learning. Most notably, the materials and textures used in the design recall the former 1929 building with its use of brick and window proportions that are juxtaposed with more than 5,000 square feet of custom engineered glass windows by Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (OBE). The OBE team were also essential in affixing a custom graphic to a multi-storied window wall at the building’s entrance. A pavilion in a park-like setting among oak trees, as well as the interior and exterior finishes all incorporate elements of nature.

 

How it was solved, including design objectives and economic benefits

OBE’s goal was to help the design and construction team achieve a space filled with natural light using Solarban 60 vision glass combined with spandrel glass with charcoal frit to help balance the light entering the classroom. By considering the end goal of the space and bringing team members with a diverse set of skills to the table, OBE was able to deliver solutions for a beautiful space the children could enjoy. 

OBE met all the project’s window and curtain wall needs while collaborating with Perkins Eastman Architects on a custom graphic that affixes to a multistory entrance window and working through technical detailing on a curving masonry façade.

The Solarban 60 clear vision glass provides higher light transmission, and the insulating glass helps meet performance and design requirements. OBE customized the ceramic enamel frit with a gray secondary seal to match the building’s aesthetics and used a high performing insulating glass unit comprised of heat strengthened glass with a low-E coating to promote energy efficiency. The ceramic enamel frit is durable and resists scratching, chipping, peeling, and fading. Best of all, OBE contributed to a project that amplifies the level of children’s learning. The project was delivered on time, went smoothly and OBE was thrilled to help Perkins Eastman Architects design their first circular plan configuration.

Fitting with the school’s curriculum, which incorporates the values of sustainability, Charter Oak is a LEED Gold–certified building and received the 2018 Building Award of Honor from the Connecticut Green Building Council.

 

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