When the City of Seguin, Texas, decided to tear down its old library and build a new one, the priority was to leverage the natural beauty of its site along the banks of Walnut Creek. In Nov. 2017, the project earned LEED® Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. Bringing the outdoors inside of this two-story facility, Tubelite’s curtainwall and storefront frames these natural views and leverages natural light. In addition, cantilevered decks overlook the creek and a popular walking and biking trail.

Designed by PGAL of Los Angeles and 720 design inc. of Dallas, the 43,000-square-foot library is three times the size of the original building, providing more area for books, technology and spaces to sit, read and enjoy the natural surroundings. Thanks to Tubelite’s curtainwall with high-performance glass, a quiet room extends into the branches of a pecan tree letting visitors feel as if they are sitting in a transparent tree house.

Representing Tubelite, Sage Architectural Products, LLC provided glazing contractor Bulverde Glass, Inc. of San Antonio with 16,300 square feet of Tubelite’s 400 Series Curtainwall and T14000 I/O storefront, plus four Wide Stile doors and frames. Along with Tubelite’s curtainwall, Sage also supplied Bulverde with champagne-colored aluminum sun screens from Industrial Louvers to shade library patrons from the Texas heat. In addition, the library incorporates metal accent panels, local limestone and brick with exposed wood roof decking for the exterior.

Todd Joubert with Sage notes, “Tubelite was selected for its service and value.” Commercial building teams have depended on Tubelite’s 400 Series since the 1980s. Throughout the decades, the curtainwall continues to prove its aesthetic flexibility and reliable structural performance. Contributing to this reliability, Linetec finished the aluminum framing members in a dark brown anodize.

Providing one the most durable finishes for architectural aluminum products, Linetec’s eco-friendly anodize process also supports environmentally responsible practices and design-forward thinking. It creates a frosty matte appearance, hides small defects common in recycled aluminum, contains no VOCs and meets or exceeds all AAMA 611 specifications. When it is time for the installed architectural product to be removed, anodized aluminum is 100 percent recyclable, lending itself to post-consumer recycled content during demolition or restoration of the building.

Tubelite’s products are manufactured to meet the aesthetic, performance and environmental goals of each project, as well as for easy fabrication and installation. Demonstrating its dependability and partnership, Tubelite’s Damage Free Guaranteed ensures orders are delivered undamaged, complete and on time.

Byrne Construction Services began construction on the new Seguin Public Library in 2014 and competed it on scheduled. Tyler Messer of Bulverde Glass notes, “It came together pretty well and went up fairly easy. We hit the target dates. We’re happy and everybody else seems happy with it, too.”

The building celebrated its grand opening in September 2016. This year’s LEED Gold certification is one of many accolades the project has received. Additional awards include the TEXO Distinguished Building Award-$10 to $30 Million, the Best of Texas presented by Engineering News Record and the Project of the Year Between $10-$25 Million by the American Subcontractors Association, San Antonio Chapter.

“It’s no surprise to us that our gorgeous, one-of-a-kind Seguin Public Library is receiving these kinds of accolades. It is without a doubt a masterpiece of architecture and construction,” said Library Director Jacki Gross.

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Seguin Public Library, 313 W Nolte St. Seguin, TX 78155, http://www.seguintexas.gov/landing_library.php
* Owner: City of Seguin; Seguin, Texas; http://www.seguintexas.gov
* Lead architect: PGAL; Los Angeles; https://www.pgal.com
* Additional architect: 720 design inc.; Dallas; http://www.720design.net
* General contractor: Byrne Construction Services; San Antonio, Texas; http://www.tsbyrne.com
* Glazing contractor: Bulverde Glass, Inc.; San Antonio; Texas; http://www.bulverdeglass.com
* Glazing systems – curtainwall and sun shade manufacturers’ representative: Sage Architectural Products, LLC; Austin, Texas; http://sage-ap.com
* Glazing systems – sun shade manufacturer: Industrial Louvers, Inc.; Delano, Minnesota; http://www.industriallouvers.com
* Glazing systems – curtainwall, doors and frames manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – curtainwall, doors and frames finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://linetec.com
* Glazing systems – glass supplier: Columbia Commercial Building Products; Rockwall, Texas; http://ccbpwin.com
* Glazing systems – glass fabricator: Vitro Architectural Glass, Solarban® 70XL; Cheswick, Pennsylvania; http://www.vitroglazings.com
* Photos courtesy of Seguin Gazette

About Tubelite Inc.

For more than 70 years, glazing contractors have counted on Tubelite’s dependable service, fabrication and distribution of architectural aluminum products. Part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., the company is an industry leader in eco-efficient storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems, and recognized for its fast, reliable and consistent delivery.

Tubelite’s corporate office, fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations are located in Walker, Michigan. Its Dallas location provides additional fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations and its facility in Reed City, Michigan, houses the company’s aluminum extrusion operation. The company also has offices in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Warwick, Rhode Island.

Tubelite and its staff are members of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the Glass Association of North America (GANA), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the Society of Military Engineers (SAME) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare brings a new trend in theater architecture to the city and completes part of the grand plan to transform Navy Pier into a global destination. The new theater features captivating views of the skyline and Lake Michigan through curving curtainwall, sweeping storefront and entrance systems from Tubelite Inc.

Designed by Chicago’s Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, with the British theater consulting firm Charcoalblue, the new, 33,000-square-foot expansion connects to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s (CST’s) existing building through a two-level, 170-foot-long glass lobby. The lobby’s curtainwall showcases one of Chicago’s first electrochromic (EC) glazing installations.

Complex Curtainwall

Chicago-based glazing contractor Northern Glass Inc. installed 5,000 square feet of Tubelite’s 400SS Series four-side, structurally glazed, aluminum curtainwall. In addition, they used Tubelite’s 400 Series standard curtainwall on the main entrance, and 14000 I/O Series storefront on the vestibule and second floor balcony terrace. The curtainwall and storefront systems were finished by Linetec in Class I clear anodize. Bone White painted finishes were applied to Tubelite’s Narrow Stile Standard Doors and Medium Stile Therml=Block® Doors.

Eric Martinson of Northern Glass notes that the crescent-shaped lobby “is the building’s main feature” composed of Tubelite’s four-side, structurally glazed curtainwall. He explains, “Each segment of the curtainwall’s horizontal members had to be cut to a different degree; with some down to just a half of a degree difference.”

He acknowledges the project “was a tough challenge.” Within the curtainwall’s aluminum framing members are concealed the wires for the EC glazing from SageGlass, plus 2-by-4 steel reinforcing.

Martinson continues, “We ran it all in our shop and then brought it to the job site. Getting the material there was extremely tricky, as we couldn’t drive down the south side of the pier to the site. Instead, we went down the north side, unloaded, carted it all the way around and through the building, and then used a scissor lift to set in place. Not only did we have to tie into the existing structure, but we had to be careful not to disrupt the occupants in the space beneath the construction zone.”

High Performance

Beyond installation challenges, Martinson notes that Lake Michigan presented special performance requirements. “As it’s a four-side, structurally glazed curtainwall, air and water aren’t much of an issue, but the wind was a big concern. That’s why there’s so much steel inside it.”

Keeping The Yard’s patrons comfortable in every season, optimizing thermal performance for cold winters and hot summers also contributes to the building’s energy efficiency and condensation resistance. The computer-controlled dynamic EC glass adjusts the opacity depending upon the level of sunlight. This maintains the view, while managing unwanted heat gain and glare.

“Not only did the SageGlass solve the thermal issues, but it also offered the opportunity to create numerous façade expressions, creating a ‘technological veil’ for the lobby that the client can manipulate as required,” said architect Gordon Gill. “The result is a beautiful and diverse experience consistent with the concept for The Yard.”

Adaptable and Sustainable

When planning the expansion, CST’s leadership took both an economically and environmentally sustainable approach by deciding to repurpose elements of the underutilized former Skyline Stage on Navy Pier. Beneath the existing, signature, white tent, The Yard emerged as a fully enclosed, indoor theater.

The decision to employ adaptive reuse in The Yard’s architectural design reduced building costs dramatically, bringing the total cost to $35 million. CST estimates this is far less than half of the projected estimates for entirely new construction. General contractor Bulley & Andrews not only managed the project within budget, but also within schedule.

The Yard’s resulting versatility includes an adjustable auditorium that can be reconfigured from a proscenium house to thrust, traverse and in-the-round configurations. Nine four-story-tall moveable seating towers enable the creation of 12 different stage formats seating between 150 and 850 patrons.

“Nothing is more thrilling to theater-makers than flexibility,” noted CST’s artistic director Barbara Gaines. “The adaptable platform of The Yard gives artists a theatrical ‘blank slate’ in which to shape their work without the physical constraints of a fixed footprint—and gives audiences an exciting, new perspective from their seats for each production.”

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture’s founding partner, Gordon Gill, noted, “At the foundation of my philosophy is the idea that ‘Form Follows Performance’ – and nowhere is that more clear than in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. Its ability to adjust and adapt to the needs of the art is genuinely innovative… and we’ve accomplished it in a sustainable, cost-conscious way, which I believe will make it a model for theaters to come.”

“The Yard is forward-thinking and responsive – and a fitting expression of the theater that Chicago Shakespeare has become,” said Criss Henderson, CST’s executive director. “The versatility of the space means that it is perfectly suited to the widest range of our work: from large-scale musicals and new commissioned works, to international imports and programs for young audiences, and, of course, bold imaginings of Shakespeare’s plays and the classics.”

The theater debuted in Sept. 2017 in its proscenium configuration to accommodate the largest possible audience.

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The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 East Grand Avenue on Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611
* Owner: Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Chicago; https://www.chicagoshakes.com
* Architect: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture; Chicago; http://smithgill.com
* Associate Architect: Charcoalblue; London; http://www.charcoalblue.com
* General Contractor: Bulley & Andrews, LLC; Chicago; http://www.bulley.com
* Glazing Contractor: Northern Glass Inc.; Elk Grove Village, Illinois; http://www.nglass.com
* Glazing Systems – electrochromic glass manufacturer: SageGlass; Faribault, Minnesota; https://www.sageglass.com
* Glazing Systems – thermal improvement and finishing services: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Glazing Systems – window and entrance systems: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Photos by: Michael Lipman
* Videos and photo slideshow: https://www.chicagoshakes.com/yard

About Tubelite Inc.

For more than 70 years, glazing contractors have counted on Tubelite’s dependable service, fabrication and distribution of architectural aluminum products. Part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., the company is an industry leader in eco-efficient storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems, and recognized for its fast, reliable and consistent delivery.

Tubelite’s corporate office, fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations are located in Walker, Michigan. Its Dallas location provides additional fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations and its facility in Reed City, Michigan, houses the company’s aluminum extrusion operation. The company also has offices in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Warwick, Rhode Island.

Tubelite and its staff are members of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the Glass Association of North America (GANA), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the Society of Military Engineers (SAME) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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The University of Washington’s newly opened Nano Engineering and Sciences Building (UW NanoES) relies on Tubelite’s Therml=Block® entrances with thermal strut, customized electric security and automatic hardware. Demonstrating its energy-efficiency and daylight-focused design, the project is pursuing LEED® Silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Seattle offices of Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP (ZGF) designed the NanoES as the second phase of a 168,000-square-foot complex located at the center of the UW Seattle-based campus. The first phase, the 90,000-square-foot Molecular Engineering and Sciences Building, was completed in 2012.

Read more about this project success story in The Architect’s Newspaper.

Photos by Aaron Leitz Photography, courtesy of ZGF

Bucktown, one of Chicago’s trendiest neighborhoods, welcomed a new, high-end apartment complex in May 2017. Centrum Bucktown is a six-story, 100-unit building with a gleaming façade wrapping the corner of North Leavitt Street and North Milwaukee Avenue.

Designed by Hirsch Associates and Forum Studio, the project is pursuing LEED® Silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. Contributing to the attractive building, as well as its sustainability and performance, Northern Glass installed Tubelite’s Therml=Block® TerraPorte 7600 Series terrace doors and 900RW Series ribbon window, plus Phantom 5000 vents.

Centrum Bucktown is the first project to showcase all three of these Tubelite products, which have been introduced to the U.S. market during the last 18 months. “Now, when we’re looking at 10-, 12- 15-story buildings, we can use Tubelite’s 900RW on the upper floors, the Phantom vents and terrace doors throughout, and storefront on the first floor,” says Eric Martinson with Northern Glass. “We have a complete package. It gives us the option to do more and go higher on projects like Centrum.”

With the flexibility of this product breadth, Martinson reveals, “It’s changed the way we work. By pre-glazing about 90 percent of the system in our shop, we cut down on the time and labor in the field.” He estimates this savings as high as 25 percent. “Tubelite’s 900RW is now our favorite system to install.”

Mary Avery, Tubelite’s vice president of marketing, adds, “This project offers a great example of how 900RW ribbon windows save installation time and labor, while meeting model energy codes and supporting LEED certification.”

For Centrum Bucktown, Tubelite’s Therml=Block terrace doors and ribbon windows are thermally improved by Linetec using a poured-and-debridged process. Avery notes, “Even during Chicago’s tough winters, our Therml=Block products provide thermal performance and condensation resistance, contributing to the project’s energy efficiency, natural light, outdoor views and interior comfort.”

Martinson agrees, “Tubelite’s products exceeded the project’s performance requirements.”

Tubelite’s 900RW dual poured-and-debridged ribbon window system has been successfully tested per the National Fenestration Council (NFRC) 102-14 procedure, achieving a U-Factor of 0.30 for thermal transmittance. The system also successfully was tested per the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 1503-09 standard, achieving a frame condensation resistance factor (CRFf) of 72. The single and dual thermal break options allow designers to select appropriate thermal performance levels to meet their projects’ requirements.

In addition to contributing to energy efficiency, daylight and views, TerraPorte doors and Phantom vents allow for natural ventilation during Chicago’s warmer months. With sizes extending up to 12-feet-tall, TerraPorte 7600 terrace doors achieve AAMA AW-70 Architectural Performance Class requirements, which includes stringent criteria for air, water and structural performance plus AAMA 910-16 lifecycle testing to 4,000 operating cycles, with supplemental thermal cycling.

Multi-lock hardware is standard on TerraPorte doors and low-profile accessABLE™ sills may be specified to achieve universal design goals. The doors’ heavy-duty aluminum hinges, along with corner key and crimped construction, provide increased durability for frequent use.

Also AAMA AW rated and NFRC tested, Phantom vents’ hinging options allow opening from the bottom or side of the window. Their concealed aluminum frame design is virtually invisible from a building’s exterior, providing a consistent appearance.

Enhancing this appearance, Linetec provides one the most durable finishes for architectural aluminum products – Class I clear anodize – on all of Tubelite’s systems for Centrum Bucktown. Linetec’s anodize finish also supports environmentally responsible practices and design-forward thinking. It creates a frosty matte appearance, contains no VOCs and meets or exceeds all AAMA 611 specifications. When it is time for the installed architectural product to be removed, anodized aluminum is 100 percent recyclable, lending itself to post-consumer recycled content during demolition or restoration of the building.

Tubelite’s products are manufactured to meet the aesthetic, performance and environmental goals of each project. Demonstrating its dependability and partnership, Tubelite’s Damage Free Guarantee ensures orders are delivered undamaged, complete and on time for easy fabrication and installation. Both Phantom vents and TerraPorte doors are engineered for simple integration with Tubelite’s 900RW ribbon windows.

Today, Centrum Bucktown’s daylight-filled apartments are available for lease. Studio, one-, two- and three bedroom apartments, as well as tenant amenities are on the second through sixth floors. Each features high-end fixtures and finishes, and such shared amenities as a resident lounge, cyber café, fitness center and expansive outdoor terraces. A new, remodeled ALDI store now anchors Centrum Bucktown’s first floor, along with a new location of the Yolk breakfast restaurant chain.

Originally known as Centrum 606 due to its proximity to the popular elevated “606” walking and biking trail, Centrum Bucktown provides convenient access to downtown as well as nearby parks, recreation, shops and restaurants. A surface parking lot for retail customers, electric vehicle charging stations and underground parking for residents add convenience for those not already taking advantage of nearby public transportation and pathways.

Centrum Bucktown, 1743 North Leavitt Street, Chicago, Illinois 60647; http://centrumbucktown.com

* Developers:
Centrum Partners, LLC; Chicago: http://centrumpartners.net
and Hubbard Street Group, Chicago; https://www.hubbardstreetgroup.com
* Property manager: 33 Realty, LLC; Chicago: http://33realty.com
* Architects:
Hirsch Associates LLC; Chicago: http://hirschassociates.com
and Forum Studio, Inc.; Chicago; https://www.forumstudio.com
* General contractor: ARCO/Murray National Construction Company, Inc.; Downers Grove, Illinois; http://www.arcomurray.com
* Glazing contractor: Northern Glass, Inc.; Elk Grove, Illinois: http://www.nglass.com
* Glazing systems – glass fabricator: Vitro Architectural Glass, Solarban® 60; Cheswick, Pennsylvania; http://www.vitroglazings.com
* Glazing systems – window and door manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – finishing and thermal improvement services: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Photos by: Michael Lipman

About Tubelite Inc.

For more than 70 years, glazing contractors have counted on Tubelite’s dependable service, fabrication and distribution of architectural aluminum products. Part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., the company is an industry leader in eco-efficient storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems, and recognized for its fast, reliable and consistent delivery.

Tubelite’s corporate office, fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations are located in Walker, Michigan. Its Dallas location provides additional fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations and its facility in Reed City, Michigan, houses the company’s aluminum extrusion operation. The company also has offices in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Warwick, Rhode Island.

Tubelite and its staff are members of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the Glass Association of North America (GANA), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the Society of Military Engineers (SAME) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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