Perhaps no other residential high-rise has created more buzz than the highly-anticipated Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles, Florida. A collaboration between Dezer Development and the Porsche Design Group, the 60-story, 132-residence luxury tower designed by Sieger Suarez Architects promises to deliver a new standard of cool.
Porsche Design Tower features a unique, first-of-its kind amenity that allows residents of this 60-story luxury residential project to park their cars in glass-walled sky garages adjacent to their units. The residents will ride their car into one of three Dezervators, a patented, fully-automated glass elevator designed by Gil Dezer and his team of engineers. They will remain in their car securely and enjoy oceanfront views as they ascend to their unit. At that point, their vehicle is shuttled to a glass enclosed carport adjacent to their residence. This allows them to leisurely unload their groceries or shopping items.
Glazing is predominantly used in several areas as a priority was placed on clear views and transparency in the building’s overall design – including applications where fire rating requirements are mandated in the building code.
In Section 713 of the IBC, shaft enclosures are required to have a minimum fire-resistance rating of not less than two hours when connecting four stories or more, which was the case for Porsche Design Tower. To meet code requirements and ensure that the ocean views were available, SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 120 with GPX Curtain Wall Framing for the 2-hour segmented wall starting from the lobby.
In Section 406 of the IBC, a one hour separation is required between a parking garage and dwelling unit. However, since the sky garages for each unit are connected to the 2-hour elevator shaft, the separation between the garage and the living space must follow the more stringent 2-hour fire resistive requirement. To meet code and enable residents to view their cars from their living room, SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 120 in GPX Architectural Series Framing for all of the units.
To meet code and enable residents to view their cars from their living room, SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 120 in GPX Architectural Series Framing for all of the units. Renderings courtesy of Metrostudio.com.
SuperLite II-XL 120 has the largest tested and listed clear view area for any 2-hour fire resistive glazing product in the industry with 4,876 sq. inches. This was an important feature that allowed the architects to use more glass and less framing, especially with individual glass lites requiring clear views up to 4,674 sq. inches each. The GPX Curtain Wall and Architectural Series framing systems were supplied with a PPG Kynar Steel City Silver finish to match the adjacent non-rated systems. Durable and structurally sound, its sharp, clean edges and uniform sightlines enhanced the building’s sleek design. The GPX Curtain Wall and Architectural Series framing systems can supplied either knocked-down, assembled or unitized depending on the project’s needs and job site conditions.
SAFTI FIRST’s sales, engineering and project management teams were in close contact with the architect, general contractor and glazier throughout the entire process to ensure everything was delivered on time and within budget. SAFTI FIRST also sent a team from its manufacturing facility in Merced, CA to train and assist the glaziers in the field as they installed the fire rated glass and framing systems.
“When Porsche teamed up with a high-caliber developer like Dezer Development and an award-winning design firm like Sieger Suarez Architects, the creative process sizzled,” says Tim Nass, VP of National Sales at SAFTI FIRST. “We were fortunate to be part of a world-class construction team that has erected this iconic, water front tower admired across South Florida. Continental Glass Systems is an excellent, highly skilled partner and Coastal Construction Group ran an efficient site in very close quarters. It was a pleasure to be a part of this project.”
Construction is in the final stages for the Porsche Design Tower, and it is scheduled to welcome residents in 2016.
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Sep 4, 2014
Learning by design: Steel curtain wall system blends two school campuses
In this the new facility, middle school and high school classroom wings flank either side of the auditorium and media center. A sleek, glass-and-steel curtain wall joins them together, creating an efficient, shared space. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Aug 25, 2014
Glazing plays key role in reinventing stairway design
Within the architectural community, a movement called "active design" seeks to convert barren and unappealing stairwells originally conceived as emergency contingencies into well-designed architectural focal points. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | Aug 16, 2014
Fire-rated framing system makes the grade at Johnson & Wales University Center
The precision engineering of TGP’s Fireframes Aluminum Series creates narrow profiles and crisp sightlines at Johnson & Wales University Center for Physician Assistant Studies
Sponsored | | Aug 8, 2014
Safe and secure: Fire and security glazing solution for Plaquemines Parish Detention Center
When the designers at L. R. Kimball looked for an all-in-one clear, wire-free glazing solution that protects against fire, bullets and forced entry for the new Plaquemines Parish Detention Center, SAFTI FIRST supplied a complete single-source tested and listed assembly that was easy to install and maintenance-free.
Sponsored | | Jul 7, 2014
Channel glass illuminates science at the University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco’s new John Lo Schiavo Center for Science and Innovation brings science to the forefront of academic life. Its glossy, three-story exterior invites students into the facility, and then flows sleekly down into the hillside where below-grade laboratories and classrooms make efficient use of space on the landlocked campus.
| May 27, 2014
Fire Rated Glass contributes to open lab environment at JSNN
Openness and transparency were high priorities in the design of the Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering within the Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro, N.C. Because the facility’s nanobioelectronics clean room houses potentially explosive materials, it needed to be able to contain flames, heat, and smoke in the event of a fire. SPONSORED CONTENT
Sponsored | | May 3, 2014
Fire-rated glass floor system captures light in science and engineering infill
In implementing Northwestern University’s Engineering Life Sciences infill design, Flad Architects faced the challenge of ensuring adequate, balanced light given the adjacent, existing building wings. To allow for light penetration from the fifth floor to the ground floor, the design team desired a large, central atrium. One potential setback with drawing light through the atrium was meeting fire and life safety codes.
| Apr 25, 2014
Recent NFPA 80 updates clarify fire rated applications
Code confusion has led to misapplications of fire rated glass and framing, which can have dangerous and/or expensive results. Two recent NFPA 80 revisions help clarify the confusion. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Apr 8, 2014
Fire resistive curtain wall helps The Kensington meet property line requirements
The majority of fire rated glazing applications occur inside a building 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.
Sponsored | | Jan 30, 2014
Transparent, fire rated stairwell enhances design of renovated Cincinnati Art Museum
When the Cincinnati Art Museum embarked on an $11 million renovation, the architects wanted the entrance and main stair to be as inviting as possible. Transparent, fire rated glazing from SAFTI FIRST was a key component of the design solution.
