Fire Rated Glass Reinvents Modern Stairwell Design at CarGurus HQ
When CarGurus consolidated nearly 1,000 employees into its new 200,000-square-foot global headquarters in Boston's Back Bay, the design challenge was clear: foster vertical connectivity and openness across ten floors of office space while meeting rigorous fire and life safety code requirements.
IA Interior Architects conceived a solution rooted in transparency and flow. At the heart of their design was a central communicating stair that links the top ten floors. Far from a traditional stairwell reserved for emergency egress, this internal staircase was designed as a visual and functional connector that allows for natural light, promotes collaboration and encourages physical movement.
Achieving this ambitious design intent required a nuanced balance between architectural openness and life safety code mandates. The design team turned to advanced fire rated glazing systems to reconcile these dual priorities.
Leveraging Fire Rated Glass to Achieve Design Goals
To maintain full vision across stairwell enclosures while satisfying 2-hour fire resistive stairwell enclosure requirements, the team specified SuperLite® II-XL 120 with Starphire® Ultra-Clear low-iron in GPX® Architectural Series Walls and SuperLite® II-XL 90 with Starphire® Ultra-Clear low-iron in GPX® Builders Series Full-Vision Temperature Rise Doors. These assemblies provided clear, unobstructed views without compromising on fire safety.
Occupants moving between floors experience not only physical continuity but also visual connections to the surrounding city, including views of the Charles River—something not typically associated with fire rated stairwells.
Beyond the stairwells, SuperLite® I fire protective glazing was used in smoke-rated doors for the elevator lobbies, maintaining the clean, unified aesthetic while addressing smoke compartmentalization requirements.
All framing and doors were finished in a custom PPG Coraflon “Iron Ore” finish, adding to the design cohesion across all life safety glazing assemblies.
Advancing Broader Sustainability Objectives
Beyond aesthetics, the fire rated glazing systems also played a strategic role in supporting CarGurus’ LEED Gold aspirations. By promoting shared daylighting and reducing reliance on artificial lighting in the stairwells, the glass contributed to energy efficiency goals and occupant well-being.
In addition to helping meet LEED requirements, using fire rated glass in stairwells also supports the WELL Building Standard’s focus on occupant health and wellness for any project. By making the stairs visually appealing and easily accessible, it can promote everyday use over elevators.
Incorporating fire rated glass to create open, light-filled stairwells supports the WELL Building Standard’s Interior Fitness Circulation concept by encouraging physical activity through accessible and visually engaging design.
All fire rated glass, framing, and doors were manufactured in the USA at SAFTI FIRST®’s Merced, CA facility—aligning with domestic sourcing goals and providing consistent quality control throughout the project.
The Role of Collaboration in Preconstruction
One of the more complex challenges the design team faced was navigating the nuanced requirements of fire rated assemblies. Here, early collaboration proved beneficial.
SAFTI FIRST®’s Director of Architectural Promotion, Mike Augustine, engaged closely with the IA team during the preconstruction phase. He provided preliminary budgeting, code-based product recommendations, and project-specific details that could be seamlessly integrated into the construction documents.
This level of early coordination helped reduce the risk of delays during the submittal and bid phases. By resolving code and specification issues upfront in addition to aligning custom details with project goals, SAFTI FIRST® helped ensure the design vision could be executed efficiently, with fewer complications down the line.
The building team also benefited from on-site field support from SAFTI FIRST® during installation, helping contractors and glaziers execute the design intent with confidence and precision.
A Case Study in Performance-Driven Design
The CarGurus headquarters demonstrates that fire rated glass is no longer limited to its role as a functional safety element. When incorporated early and with intention, it becomes a powerful architectural tool that supports transparency, daylighting, and connectivity.
With the right partners and product choices, fire rated glazing can do more than protect—it can transform.
To learn more about how SAFTI FIRST® can support your next project, visit safti.com or call us toll-free at 888.653.3333 for expert guidance on USA-made, advanced fire rated glazing solutions.
Project: CarGurus Global HQ in Boston, MA
Architect: IA Interior Architects
General Contractor: Structure Tone
Glazier: Arch Street Glass
Fire Rated Glazing System for 2-Hour Stairwells: SuperLite® II-XL 120 with Starphire® Ultra-Clear Glass in GPX® Architectural Series Walls; SuperLite® II-XL 90 with Starphire® Ultra-Clear Glass in GPX® Builders Series 90 Minute Temperature Rise Doors
Smoke Rated Doors: SuperLite® I with Starphire® Ultra-Clear Glass in GPX® Builders Series Fire Protective Smoke Rated Doors.
