Fire-Rated Glass Upgrades Underground Design at NYU’s Paulson Center
Reimagining Urban Density with a Vertical Campus
In a city like New York, where every square foot counts, building upward—and downward—has become a necessity. At the heart of NYU’s campus expansion, the John A. Paulson Center stands as a striking example of this approach. Described as a “vertical campus,” the 735,000-square-foot facility reimagines how academic, residential, and athletic programs can coexist within a single city block. Designed by KieranTimberlake and Davis Brody Bond, the building rises in Greenwich Village as a multifunctional hub that meets the evolving needs of students, faculty, and the urban context alike.
Going Underground Without Losing Light or Transparency
A defining feature of this vertical campus is its ambitious integration of athletic facilities below grade. To accommodate a six-lane swimming pool, varsity arena, squash courts, jogging track, and multi-court gym—all without sacrificing valuable above-ground space—the design team took full advantage of the subterranean levels. While this strategy offered immense spatial benefits, it also posed a critical challenge: how to deliver a welcoming, safe, and intuitive experience in spaces that are often perceived as dark or disconnected. The solution came in the form of transparency. By using ASTM E-119/UL 263 rated fire-resistive glazing in locations where building codes traditionally call for opaque wall materials like gypsum or sheet rock to meet code, the designers achieved both code compliance and spatial openness. 1 and 2-hour fire-resistive glazed walls and 60 to 90 minute full-vision temperature rise doors were installed in exit corridors, stairwells, and between major athletic zones to allow light to filter through and improve sightlines for safety and orientation.
In high-traffic areas like the gym and track, these floor-to-ceiling fire-resistive glass walls and doors were used to maintain clear visibility across zones, transforming what could have been a maze of enclosed rooms into an interconnected environment.
Balancing Safety and User Experience
Safety remained a top priority. At the jogging track, decorative fritting on the fire-resistive glazing added a user-friendly detail—helping to prevent accidental collisions while maintaining openness.
The fire-rated glazing systems used throughout the Paulson Center included SuperLite® II-XL 60 and SuperLite® II-XL 120 in GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive walls, with Starphire Ultra-Clear® Glass to enhance visual clarity. For door assemblies, SuperLite® II-XL 60 and SuperLite® II-XL 90 were integrated into full-vision GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise doors. All framing and doors were finished with a sleek PPG Coraflon® Silver Grey Sheen Satin coating, underscoring the building’s clean, modern design.
These materials did more than meet code—they elevated the experience of underground space. The use of high-performance fire-rated glass allowed for better wayfinding, natural light transmission, and a more intuitive connection between program areas. In a vertical campus that thrives on fluidity and multifunctional use, these features became essential.
Preconstruction Planning as a Design Asset
Behind this success was a collaborative approach to preconstruction. SAFTI FIRST® joined the project early, working closely with the architects, the general contractor Turner Construction and glazier JEM Architecturals Inc. SAFTI FIRST®’s Director of Architectural Promotion Mike Augustine consulted with the team during the planning stage to provide design guidance, budgetary planning, and technical detailing. This early involvement helped ensure that performance requirements and aesthetic goals were fully aligned from the start, reducing coordination issues and installation challenges later in the process. SAFTI FIRST® supplied all the fire-rated glass, frames, and doors from its manufacturing facilities in Merced, California and supported field installation to ensure seamless integration with the building’s systems.
A Model for Future Campus and Urban Design
Ultimately, the Paulson Center shows that vertical design isn’t just about stacking programs; it’s about knitting them together through intentional, user-focused strategies. Below-grade areas, when supported by transparent, fire-resistive glazing wall and door systems, can feel as engaging and connected as those above ground. And when collaboration begins in the earliest stages, ambitious architectural visions like this one can be realized without compromise.
Project: John A. Paulson Center at NYU in New York, NY
Architect: KieranTimberlake and Davis Brody Bond
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Contract Glazier: JEM Architecturals Inc.
Products used: SuperLite® II-XL 60 & SuperLite® II-XL 120 with Starphire Ultra-Clear® Glass in GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive Wall Framing; SuperLite® II-XL 60 & SuperLite® II-XL 90 with Starphire Ultra-Clear® Glass in GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise Doors
