Grand Award Winner! Metal Architecture magazine’s Design Awards honors Shelby Farms Park’s First Tennessee Visitor Center in Memphis, which features Tubelite’s storefront system.

Editor Marcy Marro describes the project as:

One of the largest urban parks in the country, Shelby Farms recently implemented a master plan developed by James Corner Field Operations to revitalize the 4,500-acre park into a nationally renowned landmark. As part of the master plan, the $50 million, 180-acre Heart of the Park was completed in 2016, and consists of an ensemble of buildings and structures located around the 80-acre Hyde Lake.

Designed by Marlon Blackwell Architects, the visitor center is an 8,000-square-foot building with a 7,560-square-foot covered porch. The cantilevered form glistens during the day from the reflected sunlight and glows at night when illuminated with site lighting.

Read the full article on this award-winning project by clicking here.

Honored as a Metal Architecture Design Award-winner, Knox College’s Whitcomb Art Center in Galesburg, Illinois, features Tubelite’s storefront system.

According to Editorial Director Paul Deffenbaugh:

The 29,950-square-foot art building designed by Lake|Flato Architects comprises five total bays, with three large ones connected by smaller bays. Large windows cut into the corners of the bays so anyone approaching from the campus can see deep into the building and students working on art. The corner windows also reveal the iconic tapered columns of a metal building system.

Click here to read the entire article describing this award-winning project.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s newest 650-bed student residence hall opened in January on its Daytona Beach, Florida campus. The new $25 million, 145,000-square-foot facility designed by PQH Group showcases an ultra-modern look, natural light, campus views, and comfortable living and learning environment. Contributing to these goals, Tubelite Inc. provided window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems, and an airfoil fin, to meet the project’s required aesthetic, sustainability and performance specifications.

“The new student residence is the first of two buildings that bend to form the portal to the main pedestrian entrance of the university,” says PQH Design Team Leader and Project Manager Aldo Minozzi, AIA. “The courtyard bordered by these two structures is a starting point for the Embry Riddle campus. Legacy Walk, the central pathway that crosses the campus.”

As an iconic gateway to the university, the new student residence now offers five stories of semi-suite style living to students. Along with the private and semi-private living spaces, each of the building’s wings contains a lounge, study room and laundry room, plus a ground floor with community space.

Fast-Track Schedule, High-Tech Look

PQH’s partner-in-charge Ricardo Quiñones, Minozzi and their colleagues emphasize that collaboration was essential. According to Minozzi, working within the project’s budget and timeline were challenging, and critical. He explains that the university was eager to replace the outdated McKay Hall as part of its master plan.

To match the plan, the new student residential hall broke ground in March 2016 and was fast-tracked for an on time completion in 11 months. The quick-paced schedule allowed McKay Hall’s 420 students to move into the new student residence after their winter break. Once they were in their new home, McKay could begin demolition in Feb. 2017 and make way for another new residential hall.

Helping maintain the project’s schedule, budget and architectural intent, Tab Glass & Window worked closely with PQH, Perry-McCall Construction and Tubelite. Tab’s senior project manager John Koskosky acknowledges, “The speed of installation was brutal, but Tubelite performed for us.”

In total, Tab Glass & Window selected and installed 10,000 square feet of windows; 15,000 square feet of curtainwall; 14 door leaves and an airfoil fin that extends 10 inches from the building. “We incorporated the fins as part of the building’s architectural vocabulary to create a very modern, high-tech look, while maintaining a certain hominess as these are the students’ residences,” says Minozzi.

He continues, “We played with the scale of the glazing systems, too. The majority of the large-scale glass units were installed on the common areas and study rooms where the dominant views are of the airfield, the Daytona Speedway and across the campus. There’s a connection to these from the shared spaces, yet they still have their more private areas. There’s a happy medium that we achieved.”

Collaborative Approach, Smooth Installation

Contributing to this achievement, Minozzi adds, “John and his team at Tab were very helpful. We contacted them early in the project’s development.”

Koskosky agrees that early involvement and being “part of the team” were key factors to the project’s overall success. Similarly, he credits Tubelite’s collaborative approach.

Tubelite provided Tab with its 400CW and 400SS Series curtainwall systems, 4500 Series storefront systems, and Medium Stile Door leaves. Helping make installation as easy as possible, Tubelite doors’ steel tie-rod construction can be modified, disassembled or resized right in the field. Also contributing to quick, accurate installation, Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall systems use exterior screw-applied pressure bars to secure the glass in place and snaps fit with a cover plate to conceal fasteners.

Tubelite’s 400CW Series curtainwall’s durable framework provides exceptional structural performance, reducing the need for steel reinforcing. The curtainwall can withstand winds of up to 90 miles per hour, meeting the specified performance design criteria for the climate and location.

Balancing Function, Appearance

Along with mitigating the high winds on this new student residence hall, Tubelite’s systems feature Viracon glass to help manage Florida’s sunshine, maximizing the window-to-wall ratio and exceeding current domestic energy code requirements. Viracon VUE-30 low-e glass delivers an industry-leading solar heat-gain coefficient of 0.18. Viracon VE-2M and VRE1-59 also was installed as part of the project’s 25,000 square feet of vision glass. These products contribute to students’ comfort and views, allowing for more natural light and less potential glare, while balancing light with energy savings and low UV transmittance.

“Much of the performance is code-driven, but we designed it holistically to ensure the building envelope, the HVAC and all the systems work well together. Beyond performance, we were very committed to having the blue glass, which matches the university’s school colors and has become a theme for its newer buildings. It’s especially stunning at night,” says Minozzi. “There’s a balance of appearance and function at work.”

Also contributing to the Embry-Riddle’s new student residence’s high-tech look and high-performance functionality, Linetec anodized all of the Tubelite systems’ aluminum framing members to enhance the metallic appearance and durability. Anodized aluminum resists the ravages of time, temperature, corrosion, humidity and warping, with minimal maintenance under Florida’s extreme coastal conditions and the students’ daily use.

With pride in the team’s accomplishment in creating the new residential hall, Koskosky describes the building’s resulting aesthetic as a “high-tech, NASA-inspired appearance to work with the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical brand.”

Embry-Riddle serves nearly 29,000 full-time students at its two residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, and through its Worldwide Campus of more than 125 locations in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East, plus a virtual presence via online learning covering every continent on the globe. It is recognized as the world’s oldest, largest and most prestigious university specializing in aviation and aerospace, and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2016.

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach campus, New Student Residence Hall; 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114; http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/campus-life/housing/residence-halls/index.html
* Owner: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Daytona Beach, Florida; https://erau.edu
* Architect: PQH Group Design Inc.; South Jacksonville, Florida; http://www.pqh.com
* General contractor: Perry-McCall Construction, Inc.; Jacksonville, Florida; http://www.perry-mccall.com
* Glazing contractor: Tab Glass & Window Corp.; Clearwater, Florida; http://tab-glass.com
* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – glass manufacturer: Viracon; Owatonna, Minnesota; http://www.viracon.com
* Glazing systems – finishing provider: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Photos by: Charles LeRette Photography
* Video: PQH Group Design’s conceptual design tour, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJPuRnSSjoE

About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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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Located about one hour’s drive from Detroit, the Blue Water Convention Center (BWCC) is the largest project in Michigan’s St. Clair County for more than a decade and the final piece of the private-public redevelopment offering waterfront views in the City of Port Huron. Tubelite 400 Series curtainwall frames the enviable riverside views showcased inside BWCC, as designed by Progressive AE.

The 40,000-square-foot, $9 million event facility’s Great Lakes Reception Hall presents a grand welcome with 22-foot-high, floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to the patio. A ballroom, several breakout rooms and 20,000-square-foot exhibit hall round out the floor plan and views.

Preferred Glass Inc. installed Tubelite’s curtainwall systems throughout BWCC, under the guidance of Orion Construction. “Every header was at an angle, creating a custom opening,” noted Howard Beindit, president of Preferred Glass.

Making installation as easy as possible, this curtainwall uses an exterior screw-applied pressure bar to secure the glass in place. The curtainwall can withstand winds of up to 90 miles per hour, meeting the specified performance design criteria for the climate and location. According to Seth Horton, PE, project manager with architecture and engineering firm Progressive AE, managing solar heat gain was a key consideration when determining use of the curtainwall. Tubelite’s curtainwall features a low-e glass with a solar heat-gain coefficient of 0.38 to allow for more natural light, while keeping the convention goers comfortable in all seasons.

Ensuring the curtainwall could withstand both the exterior exposure to the elements and the interior demands of high traffic, Linetec finished all of Tubelite’s 7-inch-deep aluminum framing members for the curtainwall in Clear Class I anodize. Unlike other finishes, anodizing highlights aluminum’s metallic appearance. This high-performance finish meets or exceeds the American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s stringent standard, AAMA 611. Because it is an integral part of the substrate, the anodic coating results in a hard, durable substance providing excellent wear and abrasion resistance with minimal maintenance all contributing to the project’s long life cycle.

Part of a successfully completed, four-year economic development plan, the new BWCC celebrated its grand opening in April 2015. It connects to the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel and Freighters Eatery & Taproom. More than 900 hotel rooms in the area support event functions at the BWCC and at the nearby Baker College’s Culinary Institute. The convention center complex is anticipated to generate nearly $20 million in private investment and approximately 200 jobs, in addition to thousands of new visitors annually to the community.

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Blue Water Convention Center, 500 Thomas Edison Parkway, Port Huron, MI 48060; http://www.bluewaterconventioncenter.com
* Owner – County of St. Clair; Port Huron, Michigan; https://www.stclaircounty.org
* Architect – Progressive AE; Grand Rapids, Michigan; http://www.progressiveae.com
* General contractor – Orion Construction, Inc.; Grand Rapids, Michigan; http://orionbuilt.com
* Glazing contractor – Preferred Glass Inc.; Marine City, Michigan
* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – glass manufacturer: Guardian Glass; Auburn Hills, Michigan; https://guardianglass.com
* Glazing systems – finishing provider: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Photo courtesy of: Blue Water Convention Center, County of St. Clair, Michigan
* Video tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikub1t7Hw_c

About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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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Michigan’s Novi High School‘s new $3 million fitness center replaces an outdated weight room that served only a few of the 2,000 students. Now a modern facility, it welcomes everyone, including 30 varsity sports teams and 10 physical education classes per semester. Featuring a glass and metal curtainwall by Tubelite Inc., the new fitness center offers natural light and views overlooking the north end zone at the school’s Wildcats Stadium.

Something for Everybody

Opened at the start of the 2016-17 academic year, the 5,700-square-foot space more than doubles its predecessor. Novi High’s new fitness center contains both a traditional weight room and a large area outfitted with six treadmills, six elliptical machines, five stationary bikes and other cardiovascular equipment. “No matter if you’ve ever lifted a weight or done cardiovascular training, whether you are on a sports team or not, there’s something there for everybody,” said Novi Community School District’s assistant superintendent of business and operations, Steve Barr.

Barr oversees construction projects in the school district. During the planning stage, he and TMP Architecture‘s chair John Castellana, FAIA, REFP, held visioning sessions with students, coaches and physical education teachers. With their feedback, the new fitness center’s design was refined into a cohesive, functional space plan.

“There was a clear need for division between the cardiovascular and weight training areas. In addition, it was requested that a stretching area be located in a quiet corner,” explains Castellana. “Aesthetically, the District wanted to make a strong statement about the variety and vitality of the athletics programs at Novi High School.”

Visual Icon, Curved Façade

Castellana elaborates, “The design opportunity was to create an innovative fitness center that would be an interior and exterior magnet for the high school. Due to the proximity of the competition running track and football field, the design responded by incorporating a slightly curved glass façade that reinforced the geometry of the site and allows spectacular views to the stadium.”

He continues, “Also, because the existing high school was predominately brick with very minimal windows, the new glass-enclosed center becomes a visual icon during the day and at night to highlight the ‘Home of the Wildcats!'”

Working closely with construction manager McCarthy & Smith to bring this vision to reality, glazing contractor Preferred Glass Inc. selected and installed Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall systems. “The Tubelite system offered the necessary flexibility to craft a unique design. This success of this project incorporated a concave curved wall façade with an acutely angled corner condition,” describes Castellana.

Precision Engineering and Installation

“We needed to meet very exacting specification standards and Tubelite was the perfect solution to provide us the performance that is critical in a high-profile project,” emphasized Castellana. “Tubelite is the indispensable element for a project of this caliber.”

TMP’s senior associate Brett Carte adds, “The curtainwall’s installation location combined with the construction tolerance variances made it impossible to fabricate curtainwall framing members until the structure was in place and field measurements could be taken.”

According to Howard Beindit, president of Preferred Glass, “very accurate measurements were produced” by Great Lakes Geomatics using 3-D laser scans of the structural frame. He says, “Great Lakes verified the dimensions and layout of the structure was going to mate up exactly to our fabricated shop drawings. This turned out to be a great tool to alleviate any issue during the installation process and proved the final product would work perfectly.”

“These measurements allowed the vertical members of the curtainwall to center on the exposed structural steel columns and hold tightly to the curvature of the building’s footprint with precisely mitered horizontal members where they meet the vertical members,” says Carte.

The curtainwall framing system is anchored to the building with cantilevered clips back to the structural steel framing rather than resting on a traditional sill wall.

“Construction-wise, the main challenge was access,” notes Castellana. “The site is at a depressed level with no vehicular access from the main building level. Construction space was greatly restricted due to the addition’s position directly between the existing building and the edge of the existing track/football field. A temporary retaining wall and ramp were constructed to accommodate construction vehicles and equipment.”

In light of the project’s challenges and complexity, McCarthy & Smith’s superintendent Dave Sprecher said the curtainwall “went together pretty well. The teamwork was good. And, the school’s very happy with the result.”

Enduring Performance, Strong Presence

Contributing to the project’s attractive appearance and durability, all of Tubelite’s 7-inch-deep aluminum framing members for the curtainwall were painted by Linetec in a Bone White color. Using a 70 percent polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin-based coating, the finish meets or exceeds the American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s stringent standard, AAMA 2605 high-performance exterior specification for a lasting positive impression.

The nearly floor-to-ceiling curtainwall system frames the “spectacular views” sought by students to enjoy while they work out in the facility.

Proud of the accomplishment, assistant superintendent Barr noted, “We have some colleges and universities telling us that we have a better fitness room and equipment than what they have. …There’s something there for every student.”

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Novi High School, Fitness Center, 24062 Taft Rd., Novi, MI 48375
• Owner: Novi Community School District; Novi, Michigan; http://www.novi.k12.mi.us
• Owner’s representative: Plante Moran Cresa; Southfield, Michigan; http://www.pmcresa.com
• Architect: TMP Architecture, Inc.; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; http://www.tmp-architecture.com
• Construction manager: McCarthy & Smith, Inc.; Farmington Hills, Michigan; http://www.mccarthysmith.com
• Surveyor and structural scans: Great Lakes Geomatics, LLC; Warren, Michigan; http://greatlakesgeomatics.com
• Glazing contractor: Preferred Glass Inc.; Marine City, Michigan
• Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
• Glazing systems – glass manufacturer: Guardian Glass; Auburn Hills, Michigan; https://guardianglass.com
• Glazing systems – finishing provider: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
• Photos by: John Heider
• Video tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnnsi__dWUc

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About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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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Media contact: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwest

The new 28,000-square-foot GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi opened in March 2016. The one-story museum’s façade and 30-foot-tall lobby features Tubelite Inc.‘s curtainwall and entrance systems. Owned and operated by the Cleveland Music Foundation, the Museum is located in Cleveland, Mississippi near the campus of Delta State University, home of the Delta Music Institute, which features the most unique audio recording facilities in the South.

GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is the first GRAMMY Museum site outside of Los Angeles. It is similar to its sister museum, the GRAMMY Museum® at L.A. LIVE, in its dedication to exploring the past, present and future of music, and the cultural context from which it emerges. The Museum focuses the spotlight on Mississippi’s deep musical roots and impact on modern music, as well as celebrates a broad range of musical styles recognized by the GRAMMY Awards®, such as pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, classical and gospel. Mississippi’s legendary contributions to music history include Jimmie Rodgers, Elvis Presley and B.B. King.

The $20 million Mississippi Museum was designed as a joint venture by Dale Partners Architects P.A. of Jackson, Mississippi, and Eley|Barkley, P.A. of Cleveland, Mississippi. The Los Angeles Museum’s executive director Bob Santelli and deputy executive director Rita George supervised the museum project design team.

“The design concept was to create a building as contemporary as the internationally recognized brand it represents, while still resonating with the Delta vernacular,” explained Jason Agostinelli, architect with Dale Partners. “The blending of these two themes helps reinforce the idea that, yes, Mississippi has great musical heritage, but we are still very relevant in today’s music scene.”

Describing the Museum’s focus on exhibits, community and climate-appropriate architecture, Agostinelli continued, “This museum required that we have no natural light in the exhibit space. We wanted to combat that with an all-glass lobby to provide a visually active space. The lobby is a great event space for the community and can accommodate over 300 people. The curtainwall allowed the lobby to act as our ‘screened porch’ so that, visually, it was a continuation of the front porch.”

He added, “The South-facing porch was designed to accommodate larger numbers of people during functions and events seeking shelter from the heat. The brise-soleil over the porch was designed to shade the lobby during the summer, but will allow the sun to warm the space during the winter when the sun angles are lower.”

Overseeing the Museum’s glass lobby and exterior, Flagstar Construction Company Inc. of Brandon, Mississippi, worked closely with Raymond Glass Company, Inc. The glazing contractor team from Raymond, Mississippi installed Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall with 7.5- and 10-inch-deep aluminum framing members.

Making installation as easy as possible, this curtainwall uses an exterior screw-applied pressure bar to secure the glass in place. Meeting the specified performance design criteria, the system can withstand winds of up to 90 miles per hour. Additional systems for the Museum included Tubelite’s E14000 Series storefront and Medium Stile Doors.

Linetec painted all of Tubelite’s systems’ aluminum framing in a Bone White color for long-term durability with minimal maintenance.

“We regularly receive compliments on our facility from visitors and the modern, open design makes it ideal for special events,” said Emily Havens, executive director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi.

The Museum utilizes advanced technology to explore various musical styles through more than 15 permanent exhibits. “Mono To Surround” allows visitors to hear the evolution of sound through a custom listening experience, while “History Of Dance” features a touch-sensitive, multicolored dance floor and dance tutorial video. Exhibits, such as “Mississippi Music Legends,” “Mississippi Music Bar” and “Mississippi Music Trail And Timeline,” will explore the state’s musical history and unique culture. Other exhibits explore subjects such as songwriting, producing and the history of guitar.

In addition to permanent exhibits, the Mississippi Museum presents special exhibits throughout the year. Its inaugural special exhibit, “Ladies And Gentlemen … The Beatles!” provided fresh insight into how The Beatles impacted America in the 1960s and beyond. “Pride & Joy: The Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan” runs through February 2017.

The Sanders Soundstage, a 140-seat, state-of-the-art theater within the Museum, offers audiences space for entertainment and education. An outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the Museum accommodates up to 2,000 people for concerts and special events.

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GRAMMY Museum Mississippi; 800 W. Sunflower Rd., Cleveland, MS 38732; http://www.grammymuseumms.org
* Owner: Cleveland Music Foundation; Cleveland, Mississippi
* Architect – joint venture: Eley|Barkley+Dale Partners
– Eley|Barkley, P.A.; Cleveland, Mississippi; http://www.eleybarkley.com
– Dale Partners Architects P.A.; Jackson, Mississippi, http://www.dalepartners.com
* General contractor: Flagstar Construction Company Inc.; Brandon, Mississippi; http://www.flagstarconstruction.com
* Glazing contractor: Raymond Glass Company, Inc.; Raymond, Mississippi
* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – glass manufacturer: Guardian Glass; Auburn Hills, Michigan; https://guardianglass.com
* Glazing systems – finishing provider: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Photos by: Creative Sources Photography, Inc.

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About GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

Built and operated by the Cleveland Music Foundation — a non-profit organization developed in 2011 — the 28,000-square-foot GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is housed near the campus of Delta State University, home of the Delta Music Institute’s Entertainment Industry Studies program, which features the most unique audio recording facilities in the South. Similar to its sister Museum — the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE — GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is dedicated to exploring the past, present and future of music, and the cultural context from which it emerges, while casting a focused spotlight on the deep musical roots of Mississippi. The Museum features a dynamic combination of public events, educational programming, engaging multimedia presentations, and interactive permanent and traveling exhibits, including a Mississippi-centric area that introduces visitors to the impact of Mississippi’s songwriters, producers and musicians on the traditional and modern music landscape. For more information about GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, visit www.grammymuseumms.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @GRAMMYMuseumMS on Twitter and Instagram, and like “GRAMMY Museum Mississippi” on Facebook. For behind-the-scenes access, add us on Snapchat at GRAMMYMuseumMS.

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About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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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Media contact: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwest

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) first-of-its-kind airport traffic control tower and integrated facility relies on high-performance products from Wausau Window and Wall Systems and Tubelite Inc. to meet the multiple performance requirements. The new $80 million, 221-foot-tall, torch-shaped tower has improved safety, security and design standards, and has obtained LEED® Gold status. The seismic design for the tower allows for the structure to withstand a Richter magnitude 8 earthquake.

SFO’s previous air traffic control tower was built in 1984. The new tower and integrated facility’s conceptual design was created by airport master architecture firm HNTB. Fentress Architects served as architect-of-record and Hensel Phelps led the design-build team. The collaborative approach resulted in a distinctive design that is seismically sound and meets the FAA’s strict requirements.

The “cab” at the top of the tower features a cantilevered roof and windows to give controllers an unobstructed view of the airfield below. The tower façade consists of curved metal panels and a vertical glass band that is illuminated to colorfully glow at night.

The base of the new SFO tower includes a corridor and a secure connector between Terminals 1 and 2, a new FAA office space, and improvements to the Terminal 1 Boarding Area C entrance. The corridor offers a unique glass skylight, which provides visitors views directly up the full height of the tower. The secure connector bridge also offers unobstructed views of the runways, a rest area with seating, and an adjoining yoga room.

Construction began in summer 2012, was ready for FAA equipment installation in summer 2015 and opened in autumn 2016. Construction manager, T2 Partners, selected Architectural Glass & Aluminum (AGA) as the glazing contractor. AGA relied on Wausau’s systems to meet the aesthetic, acoustic, blast hazard mitigating (BHM), seismic, thermal and other performance specifications of SFO’s unique facility.

AGA installed more than 4,000 square feet of Wausau’s four-sided, silicone-glazed curtainwall including SuperWall™ 8250 Series curtainwall, INvision™ 7250-UW Series unitized curtainwall and 7250 Series BHM curtainwall, plus INvent™ 3250i Series in-swing casement thermal windows.

In addition, AGA installed Tubelite Inc.’s ForceFront Blast™ entrance systems. All of Wausau’s BHM Series products and Tubelite’s ForceFront Blast products are designed for compliance with the General Services Administration Inter-Agency Security Committee’s (GSA ISC) security design criteria and the Department of Defense United Facilities Criteria (DoD UFC) 4-010-01 requirements.

“As doors, windows and curtainwall encounter the extreme pressures released by an explosive mass, all elements of the assembly work together to withstand the blast load and dissipate its energy. Instead of the historical design practice of specifying thick windows with rigid frames, modern blast-mitigating assemblies are designed to be flexible, and absorb, rather than resist, blast energy,” explains Tubelite’s product manager, Tom Mifflin.

Drawing from more than a decade of experience on dozens of major BHM projects, the associates at Tubelite and Wausau apply their technical expertise to interpret the lexicon of hazard mitigation and to achieve safety, security, cost effectiveness and timely completion. Mifflin continues, “Whether building a new structure or replacing, renovating and modernizing an existing facility, Tubelite’s and Wausau’s high-performance systems help design-build teams to create elegant, daylight-filled, energy-efficient and safe buildings. Creating a comfortable, quiet environment promotes concentration and productivity, which is essential to air traffic control.”

Further contributing to the project’s sustainability goals, the aluminum used to produce Wausau’s curtainwall and window systems is a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition with durable finishes by Linetec. As a recognized, environmentally responsible finisher, Linetec captures the liquid paints’ volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content using a 100 percent air capture system and safely destroys the VOCs with a regenerative thermal oxidizer. Linetec then re-uses its heat energy byproduct to improve process energy efficiency. This process of re-use is completed before the material exits the paint line.

For the new SFO facility, Linetec applied a Duranar® Sunstorm® Galaxy Silver color, 50 percent polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin based, two-coat, liquid coating on the interior-facing aluminum framing members. For greater protection on the exterior, weather-exposed surfaces, a three-coat Duranar Sunstorm XL Silver color, 70 percent PVDF liquid coating was applied. Applied under Linetec’s stringent factory-controlled processes, these finishes meet the American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s (AAMA) 2605 industry standards, as well as minimize buildings’ maintenance costs and maximize long lifecycles.

Along with sustainably produced finish materials and natural daylight, the SFO facility’s other LEED-recognized features include photovoltaic panels, a roof garden, low-flow plumbing fixtures, energy-efficient HVAC systems, programmable LED lighting and electric vehicle charging stations.

SFO offers non-stop flights to more than 45 international cities on 39 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects non-stop with 78 cities in the U.S. on 13 domestic airlines. During its 2015-16 fiscal year, it set an all-time traffic record of serving ore than 51.4 million passengers.

“Our goal is to be an exceptional airport, in service to our communities,” stated airport director Ivar C. Satero. “Looking ahead, our focus is on the ongoing development of our airport infrastructure, to ensure that SFO can grow efficiently and continue to make a positive economic contribution in the Bay Area.”

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San Francisco International Airport; San Francisco, CA 94128; http://www.flysfo.com, https://sfoconnect.com/air-traffic-control-tower
* Owner: City and County of San Francisco; San Francisco; http://sfgov.org
* Conceptual and schematic architectural design: HNTB Corporation; San Francisco; http://www.hntb.com
* Architect of record: Fentress Architects; San Francisco; http://fentressarchitects.com
* Design-builder: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.; San Jose, California; http://www.henselphelps.com
* Construction manager – joint venture: T2 Partners
* Glazing contractor: Architectural Glass & Aluminum (AGA); Livermore, California; http://aga-ca.com
* Glazing systems – curtainwall and windows manufacturer: Wausau Window and Wall Systems; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.wausauwindow.com
* Glazing systems – entrance systems manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – glass manufacturer: Garibaldi Glass, Inc.; Burnaby, British Columbia; http://www.garibaldiglass.com
* Glazing systems – glass fabricator: Guardian Industries Corp.; Auburn Hills, Michigan; SunGuard® SNX62/27; https://www.guardianglass.com
* Glazing systems – finisher: Linetec, Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com

* Photos available at: http://www.flysfo.com/media/images-video-maps
* Video tour: https://sfoconnect.com/about/inside-sfo/inside-sfo-episode-22-new-airport-traffic-control-tower

**

About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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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Media contact: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwest

DC Group’s “expand in place,” 44,000-square-foot, two-story, $7.3 million office industrial project in North Minneapolis features a contemporary design by UrbanWorks Architecture. To reflect the high-tech business’ brand, UrbanWorks blended DC Group’s new and existing structures using glass, metal and concrete. Helping achieve the aesthetic, performance and economic criteria for the project, Tubelite Inc. provided its 400CW Series curtainwall system.

DC Group provides equipment and maintains uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems for large corporate customers, including AT&T, Kaiser Permanente, Verizon, Microsoft and Oracle, among other Fortune 500 companies. The equipment protects computer systems from power surges and transfers them to standby power sources in case of a blackout or brownout.

Experiencing significant growth in the past several years, DC Group grew from 41 employees to 140 employees. Since 2006, the company’s revenue has risen from approximately $5 million to $28 million annually. The company’s space and public presence also needed to grow. Its 14,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1978. A phased construction plan with Greiner Construction began in July 2013 to add 30,000 square feet.

“While their former facility was almost invisible in its typical mid-80’s commercial-industrial plainness, the expanded facility, with its visible branding and exterior lighting design, presents as a gateway to West River Road,” described UrbanWorks Architecture.

Working under the guidance of UrbanWorks Architecture and Greiner Construction, Brin Contract Glazing installed Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall, T14000 I/O storefront and E4500 storefront aluminum framing systems. Tubelite’s Medium Stile thermal doors with 10-inch bottom rails also were installed. Interior framing and doors by Tubelite were used for the vestibule, executive offices and large conference room. Linetec finished the framing and doors in a Class I Clear anodize to enhance the systems’ durability and metallic aesthetic.

David Miller, AIA, LEED® AP, a project designer with UrbanWorks Architecture, elaborated, “As the new corporate headquarters and as a company in the tech industry, DC Group wanted its building to have a modern, sleek, new look. Tubelite’s metal and glass curtainwall helped achieve this contemporary appearance and married up nicely with the existing building.”

Integral to Tubelite’s curtainwall, extruded aluminum, anodized mullions were incorporated as extended exterior fins. Miller added, “Installed on the eastern elevation facing the River, this dramatic curving curtainwall creates an interesting rhythm and design motif. On the interior, it offers access to daylight and panoramic views.”

“The office is inviting and energized now. The big windows and natural light make the workday so much more pleasing,” said one of DC Group’s sales assistants.

New employee amenities, such as fitness rooms and bike storage, encourage healthy lifestyles and alternative transit. The addition and renovation repositions the office/warehouse building as a future-looking headquarters, both through the outward expression of the building and the designed-in flexibility of the structure to accommodate DC Group’s anticipated growth.

Other locations, including new suburban developments, had been considered for the new headquarters. DC Group realized long-term value by remaining on the site. Financial assistance from the City of Minneapolis included Two-Percent and Business Development Fund loans, and tax increment financing. In recognition of DC Group’s commitment to keep and grow jobs in Minneapolis, the company also received City of Minneapolis Grow North funding for the project, a financial incentive focused on bringing jobs and businesses to North Minneapolis. In addition, the company was one of the first recipients of the State of Minnesota’s Job Creation Fund from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). DEED also provided a contamination cleanup grant.

“We needed more space, but wanted a visually beautiful building that complemented the riverbank. We were thrilled to be able to remain in this location and to improve our presence here,” CEO Jon Frank said.

Completed in Sept. 2015, DC Group expects to add more than 30 new jobs in the next few years, increase the number of clients they serve, and provide service to more of North America. “The additional capacity ensures that we’ll continue to be able to provide rapid and professional response and service to our clients, even as we maintain our trajectory of continued growth,” concluded Frank.

**

DC Group, 1977 West River Rd. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411; http://www.dc-group.com
* Owner: DC Group; Minneapolis; http://www.dc-group.com
* Architect: UrbanWorks Architecture LLC; Minneapolis; http://www.urban-works.com
* Construction manager: Greiner Construction; Minneapolis; http://www.greinerconstruction.biz
* Glazing systems – installer: Brin Contract Glazing, a division of Brin Glass Company; Minneapolis; http://www.bringlass.com
* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – manufacturer’s representative: Hillesheim Architectural Products, Inc.; Faribault, Minnesota; http://www.hap-inc.net
* Glazing systems – glass manufacturer: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope®; Albertville, Minnesota; http://www.obe.com
* Glazing systems – finishing provider: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Photos by: Paul Crosby Architectural Photography

**

About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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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Media contact: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwest

Opened in March, Michigan’s new $23 million Gull Road Justice Complex improves operational collaboration through efficiencies in space, design and function. The 85,000-square-foot, three-story building also houses the family division of the Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. TowerPinkster worked with the County to design a facility that conveyed a transparency and connection to the community, while providing a secure and functional structure.

Helping bring this vision to life and meet the multiple performance requirements, the architectural team selected numerous systems from Tubelite Inc. Working closely with construction manager AVB Inc., and Double O Supply & Craftsman, Inc. installed more than 14,400 square feet of Tubelite’s curtainwall and storefront on both the interior and exterior. Double O also installed the entrance systems and exterior sun shades.

“Curtainwall is an important part of the design solution identifying the public realm of the building and to wash the lobby space with natural north light. The proceedings inside the building can be very stress filled and the introduction of natural light can aid in reducing the tension,” noted TowerPinkster‘s project manager and architect, Eric Hackman, AIA.

“Courthouses play a unique role. They must reflect the dignity and importance of the work performed within their walls, and at the same time they must provide space and accommodate the tools needed to accomplish that work,” said Kalamazoo County Probate Judge Curtis J. Bell, according to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

The new building consolidates a number of offices and departments, including the probate and juvenile courts, which previously were located in multiple buildings. Constructed on vacant land, Kalamazoo County’s new justice complex features judges’ chambers, hearing rooms, courtrooms, holding rooms, and offices for the court clerk, Friend of Court and county prosecutor. An enclosed walkway connects the facility to the Juvenile Detention Center.

According to TowerPinkster, exterior building materials were carefully selected to tie to the adjacent juvenile center, while blending with the surrounding neighborhood. To ensure the desired look and performance, TowerPinkster specified Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall as the basis for design. Additional systems included T14000 Series storefront, Max/Block™ sun shades, E4500 Series (INT45) interior framing and Wide Stile Doors.

As part of its overall contribution to the project, Tubelite’s team provided the take-offs. Once approved, these drawings guided the manufacturing process for the myriad exterior and interior systems. “There’s a lot of Tubelite systems on this project. It has a little bit of everything,” says Neil Krumrei, an estimator and project manager with Double O. “We use Tubelite whenever we can.”

A self-described “old school guy,” Krumrei adds, “I really like this project. I’ve been doing this for 35 years. From what I’ve seen, things went as well as could be expected for a project of this size. There’s always something that doesn’t go quite to plan, but we have good working relationship with AVB and Tubelite. It doesn’t take long to make adjustments when needed.”

In Jan. 2015 with temperatures as low as 11ºF, Double O’s glaziers began installing Tubelite’s curtainwall and storefront systems to enclose the facility’s exterior. Making installation as easy as possible, Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall uses an exterior screw-applied pressure bar to secure the glass in place. In total, more than 400 glazing units were installed on the north elevation alone.

The north and west elevations are wrapped in Tubelite’s curtainwall with portions topped in clerestory windows created using Tubelite’s 4.5-inch-deep storefront system. The main, north entrance features an 8-inch-deep curtainwall soaring up to 32 feet high and installed in angled segments to form a concave curvature. Walking through the front doors, the north lobby can accommodate up to 30 people. On the interior, the secured vestibules are comprised of Tubelite’s 8-inch-deep curtainwall and 8-foot-tall Wide Stile Doors.

Maintaining the natural light and security on the interior, Tubelite’s interior framing system with security glazing creates a sense of openness for the Friend of the Court area. This is where services are provided to parties with minor children involving divorce, family support, interstate and paternity cases. “To provide a see-through separation, we installed E4500 as free-standing interior windows,” describes Krumrei. “Horizontal open slots are carefully positioned to allow for documents to be passed through.”

A transparent connection between interior and exterior takes the shape of a 52-foot-tall staircase tower formed with Tubelite’s 8-inch-deep curtainwall on the south elevation’s mostly brick exterior. A small portion of the ground-floor uses the same system. Throughout the south and east elevations’ brick exterior, large openings allow for daylight and views. Most of the openings are 4 by 8 feet with some as large as 8 by 8 feet. In each is installed Tubelite 4.5-inch-deep storefront fitted with a 20-inch airfoil sun shade to manage unwanted solar heat gain. Cooling costs can be significantly lowered with sun shades, while still allowing natural light to fill the workspace.

Further supporting occupants’ comfort and heating and cooling cost savings, the PPG Solarblue® glass in Tubelite’s systems helps in lessening the demand for electric lighting and reducing HVAC loads. Fabricated into insulated glass units by Thompson I.G., the sparkling, light, sky-blue appearance balances high visible light transmittance of 50 percent and a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.49. Security glazing also was used at the ground level and in designated areas.

Along with contributing to a safe, energy-efficient and stylish facility, Tubelite’s systems are finished for long-term durability with minimal maintenance. Linetec finished all of the aluminum framing, doors and sun shades in a Class I clear anodize. The resilient finish will protect the justice complex’s metal framework and preserve its appearance for many years to come.

Installation of Tubelite’s systems on both the exterior and interior was substantially completed by Dec. 2015. Following a dedication ceremony in Feb. 2016, the facility was operational in early March. The project was delivered on time and budget.

**

Gull Road Justice Complex, 1536 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048; http://www.kalcounty.com/court

* Owner: Kalamazoo County; Kalamazoo, Michigan; https://www.kalcounty.com
* Architectural programming and design: HOK; http://www.hok.com
* Architect: TowerPinkster; Kalamazoo, Michigan; http://towerpinkster.com
* Consulting structural engineers: Nehil • Savik; Kalamazoo, Michigan; http://www.nehilsivak.com
* Construction manager: AVB Inc.; Portage, Michigan; http://www.avbinc.com
* Glazing contractor: Double O Supply & Craftsmen, Inc.; Byron Center, Michigan; http://www.doubleo-sc.com
* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Glazing systems – glass manufacturer: PPG; http://www.ppgideascapes.com
* Glazing systems – glass fabricator: Thompson I.G., LLC; Fenton, Michigan; http://www.thompsonig.com
* Glazing systems – finishing provider: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Video: http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2016/02/take_a_tour_of_the_new_gull_ro.html
* Photos provided by: Double O Supply & Craftsmen, Inc. and AVB Inc.

**

About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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).

###

Media contact: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwest

Michigan State University (MSU) opens the doors to its new Bio Engineering Facility and to new, collaborative research opportunities contributing toward technology transfer to the private sector and the state’s emerging bio-based economy. The four-story, 130,000-square-foot research laboratory building is located in the South Academic District in East Lansing.

The Bio Engineering Facility’s design team included MSU and architectural/engineering consultants Integrated Design Solutions (IDS). A palette of gray, white and black in glass and metal distinguish the new facility from both the traditional red brick of the campus standard and beige of the cast concrete of the more recent structures.

“The color was selected… to somewhat match the color palette and context of the surrounding buildings,” explained Jeff Kasdorf, MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities‘ design representative. “We did not however want to replicate the precast concrete or metal panel that was used in the adjacent facilities.”

IDS senior associate and project architect, Kevin S. Marshall, AIA, LEED® BD+C, agreed, “The facility had to blend into the campus, tie into its surroundings, but also stand out as its own destination.”

Essential to the building’s aesthetic and function, Tubelite Inc. provided the Bio Engineering Facility’s curtainwall and entrance systems. Linetec finished all of Tubelite’s aluminum framing in Valspar‘s Fluropon® coating systems in Bone White.

“Getting the white just right was important,” emphasized Marshall. “We wanted the white of the curtainwall and the metal panels to match. We didn’t want one to look dingy or dirty compared to the other.”

“Utilizing the latest technologies to analyze and formulate thousands of color variations ensures creation of the exact color specified,” said Linetec‘s senior marketing specialist, Tammy Schroeder, LEED Green Associate. “Valspar’s Fluropon coatings offer the ultimate protection in building performance and lasting color.”

Valspar’s premium Fluropon systems are comprised of 70 percent polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) proprietary resins for field-proven, exterior quality finishes that meet or exceed the American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s stringent standard, AAMA 2605 high-performance exterior specification. Fluropon demonstrates reliable performance, including resistance to harmful ultraviolet rays, chemical degradation, abrasions and humidity. Durable finishes contribute to the project’s longevity and reduce the need for maintenance throughout its life cycle.

Linetec’s industry-leading practices also safely capture and destroy the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in liquid paints at the factory before arrival on the building site to support green building goals, such as MSU’s sustainability guidelines. Further contributing to green campus projects, the aluminum used to produce Tubelite systems was extruded using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition.

Multi-phased, Multidisciplinary

Faculty from the College of Engineering, College of Human Medicine and the College of Natural Science are the primary occupants of the building. Additional interdepartmental benefits are anticipated as the Bio Engineering Facility is physically connected to the Clinical Center C-wing, and the Life Science B-wing, and is adjacent to the Radiology buildings.

According to MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities: “Collaboration between researchers from different disciplines, ranging from chemical engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering to pharmacology, physiology and radiology, will be essential in the development of new areas of research, such as tissue engineering. The new laboratory space will provide research capacity necessary to support new hires and funded researchers in the area, and allow collaborators from different academic units to be co-located.”

MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities involved IDS early in the Bio Engineering Facility’s development to ensure the strategic, aesthetic and performance goals were achieved. Construction started in September 2013 and was completed in December 2015. Ken Gottschalk, MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities’ construction representative, oversaw the $57.7 million budget and worked closely with Clark Construction Company on the multi-phased timeline.

“Because this is a multi-disciplinary research facility, it did not need to hold to an academic calendar,” said Marshall. “The first phase focused on the building envelope, shell, core and first two floors. The other two floors were then built to include wet-bench research laboratories, offices and additional collaborative space, such as shared equipment areas.”

Scale, Style, Specification

Within the Bio Engineering Facility, laboratories have an open-floor design and their modular construction provide flexibility as the nature of research evolves. “The design of the new building features a four-story atrium with an artistic stairway configuration that resembles a giant DNA strand. The terrazzo flooring design mimics a nerve cell pattern,” described IDS vice president and director of workplace architecture, Jeffrey D. Johnson, AIA.

Marshall elaborated, “On the exterior, the curtainwall design corresponds to the activity taking place inside. The communal spaces are represented by tall sections of curtainwall and the workstations by the shorter sections. While the exposed structure allows for tall floor-to-floor spans, we chose to emphasize the horizontal.”

Bringing the architectural vision to reality, Glazing Solutions installed Tubelite’s entrance systems and its 400 Series curtainwall with 5-inch-deep back members. Tubelite’s Narrow Stile and Wide Stile Doors were selected with continuous hinges and subframes. The aluminum-framed doors’ tie-rod assembly is as durable as welded-corner construction, but can be modified, disassembled or resized in the field for a precise fit. Engineered for low- and mid-rise applications, like MSU’s four-story Bio Engineering Facility, Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall‘s durable framework provides exceptional structural performance, reducing the need for steel reinforcing.

Complementing the curtainwall, a ribbon of tri-colored composite metal panels further defines the main entrances. Black brickwork and stainless steel rainscreens carry the facility’s color palette from exterior to interior.

Engineered for Energy Savings

“Along with providing a leading-edge facility that helped change the way scientists work, the university’s top performance objective was the ambitious goal of 50 percent overall energy savings,” noted Johnson. “The result was a groundswell of cooperation and support to reach new heights in energy savings.”

Walt Lutzke, Tubelite’s marketing coordinator, observed, “Research laboratory facilities are well known for being energy consumers, not conservationists. It’s an impressive achievement and we were glad to be involved.”

In addition to the MSU-owned co-generation plant and Bio Engineering Facility’s energy recovery systems, Tubelite’s curtainwall system also contributes to this achievement. “The curtainwall provides thermal performance, and manages solar heat gain and condensation risk, as supported by the insulated and low-e coated glass,” explained Marshall.

Guardian Industries supplied the raw glass and Oldcastle fabricated the insulated glazing units. Making installation as easy as possible, Tubelite’ 400 Series curtainwall uses an exterior screw-applied pressure bar to secure the glass in place. The high-performance curtainwall system provides year-round comfort and supports heating and cooling cost savings.

Marshall continued, “Throughout the building’s façade, there’s a graduated pattern from transparent to solid. Two types of silkscreened patterns were used: one with 40 percent dots and one with 80 percent dots. Its subtle shading cuts down on glare. On the south side of the building, there’s also interior light shelves and automated shading to help control and direct the natural light.”

“Across the country, 40 percent of the energy used is from buildings. By investing in highly efficient energy-control systems, we can save money that can be better used for academics,” Dan Bollman, assistant vice president for strategic infrastructure planning and facilities at MSU, told the Lansing Business Review. “We are always looking to improve the quality and quantity of the research we do. This facility will advance science and strengthen our research portfolio.”

Stephen Hsu, MSU vice president of research and graduate studies, concluded, “This building, with its emphasis on bringing together engineers and basic science researchers with medical researchers, will provide us with remarkable opportunities for solving some of humanity’s biggest challenges. It also will help us attract more competitive, nationally funded projects and recruit the best minds to work with us – both faculty and graduate students.”

**

Michigan State University’s Bio Engineering Facility, East Lansing, MI
* Owner: Michigan State University; East Lansing, Michigan; http://www.msu.edu
* Design representative: Michigan State University’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities; East Lansing, Michigan; http://ipf.msu.edu
* Architectural/engineering consultant: Integrated Design Solutions; Troy, Michigan; http://www.ids-troy.com
* Construction representative: Michigan State University’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities; East Lansing, Michigan; http://ipf.msu.edu
* Construction manager: Clark Construction Company; East Lansing, Michigan; http://www.clarkcc.com
* Composite metal panels – fabricator: 3A Composites USA, Alucobond®; Benton, Kentucky; http://www.alucobondusa.com
* Composite metal panels – fabricator: Sobotec Ltd.; Grand Rapids, Michigan; http://sobotec.com
* Glazing contractor: Glazing Solutions, Inc.; Morrice, Michigan; http://www.glazingsolutionsinc.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – glass manufacturer: Guardian Industries; Auburn Hills, Michigan; https://www.guardian.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – glass fabricator: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope®; http://www.obe.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – coatings manufacturer: Valspar; Minneapolis; http://www.valspar.inspireme.com

* Photos by: Integrated Design Solutions, Kevin S. Marshall; courtesy of Valspar

**

About Tubelite Inc.

Established in 1945, Tubelite celebrates 70 years of 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.

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).

###

Media contact: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwest

Pennsylvania’s ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks is a new 4.5 acre year-round art center located on a reclaimed brownfield at the western end of the 150-year-old Bethlehem Steel manufacturing site. Spillman Farmer Architects designed the 66,000-square-foot, $17.3 million arts facility as a transformative and transparent space, with an exterior featuring curtainwall and entrance systems from Tubelite Inc.

Located at the core of the campus, ArtsQuest Center houses performance spaces for a multi-disciplinary arts program offering more than 1,000 concerts and eight different festivals annually. It includes a two-screen art cinema; 600-seat Musikfest Café live music venue; and the 4,000-square-foot Blast Furnace room, which will host a variety of community and educational functions.

The facility is part of a master plan developed by ArtsQuest, a nonprofit organization engaging in revitalizing communities through the arts, and by SteelStacks, a 10-acre campus dedicated to arts, culture, family events, community celebrations, education and fun. ArtsQuest raised $26 million to fund the Center, added to $40 million from the City of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority (BRA).

After a national search for an architectural firm and a rigorous interview process, Pennsylvania-based Spillman Farmer was selected for the firm’s understanding of the site’s history, technical expertise and thoughtful approach to making meaningful spaces focused on human-centered design. The facility’s design and construction also followed Silver certification criteria of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® v2.2 guidelines for energy-efficient and environmentally sound new construction.

“The architecture of the ArtsQuest Center is influenced by its industrial site. It embraces our region and its culture, recognizing the material and human spirit that fueled the industry of this country,” stated Spillman Farmer’s design principal, Joseph N. Biondo, “As a firm, we see this project as an expression of structure, material, and site.”

Working closely with the Spillman Farmer, the owners, the specialty contractors and the product manufacturers, Alvin H. Butz, Inc. served as the project’s general contractor. Glazing contractor Hutt’s Glass, recommended and installed Tubelite’s 400 Series Curtainwall and Medium Stile Doors.

The general contractor’s website describes ArtsQuest Center’s façade: “The north wall of the three-story building is glass, allowing visitors to view the Bethlehem Steel furnaces. Every exposed steel beam is painted International Orange, the same color as the Golden Gate Bridge, which was built from steel produced by those furnaces. …The building envelope is a hybrid structural system, which also serves as load-bearing skin allowing for the performance spaces to be acoustically isolated. Inside the structural concrete box is a skeletal steel frame that honors the site’s steelmaking history and completes the hybrid system.”

Engineered for low- and mid-rise applications, like ArtsQuest Center’s three-story building, Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall’s durable framework provides exceptional structural performance, reducing the need for steel reinforcing. For this project, it features 2.5-inch sightlines with a 6-inch system depth on the interior and 8-inch depth on the exterior. Snap-on covers allow for different finishes on interior and exterior exposed surfaces, and silicone-glazed verticals are available for a seamless appearance. Tubelite’s Medium Stile Doors can be finished to match, complement or contrast with the curtainwall framing.

Linetec finished the aluminum framing of Tubelite’s curtainwall and entrance systems in custom Charcoal Grey color blended in-house and applied as a two-coat 70 percent polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin-based coating. Linetec’s blending laboratory has six individual mix and match color systems, encompassing the three leading high-performance paint manufacturers. Tested to meet the stringent American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 2605 specifications, these finishes ensure a durable, long-lasting performance.

Linetec’s industry-leading practices also safely capture and destroy the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in liquid paints at the factory before arrival on the building site to support green building goals. Further contributing to projects’ sustainability, the aluminum used to produce Tubelite systems was extruded using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition.

The aluminum-framed doors’ tie-rod assembly is as durable as welded-corner construction, but can be modified, disassembled or resized in the field for a precise fit. Making installation as easy as possible, Tubelite’ 400 Series curtainwall uses an exterior screw-applied pressure bar to secure the glass in place.

For ArtsQuest Center, Spillman Farmer specified the largest possible expanses of insulated glass at 75 by 138 inches. In addition to its size, PPG Industries’ Solarban® 60 glass was chosen for its ability to block 62 percent of total solar energy, while allowing through 70 percent of visible light. Glazed in Tubelite’s aluminum framing, the high-performance curtainwall system provides year-round comfort and supports heating and cooling cost savings.

Completed in 2011, ArtsQuest Center continues to attract attention and win awards. In 2014, Urban Land Institute (ULI) Global Award for Excellence for its role in helping to redevelop one of the largest Brownfields in the nation. In 2013, Architizer A+ Awards selected the project as a winner in the +Urban Transformation category.

In accepting the award, Spillman Farmer’s Biondo, said, “Honoring our country’s industrial past is a critical first step to healthy and vibrant revitalization. We are fortunate to work in a community comprised of visionary and steadfast leadership working together toward a common goal. Embracing our history, while introducing a diversity of arts, culture, and technology will always become a catalyst in transforming urban areas.”

Also in 2013, Spillman Farmer was honored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Pennsylvania chapter as the inaugural recipient of the AIA Pennsylvania Firm Award recognizing outstanding achievements in the profession over the last decade. The previous year, in 2012, the AIA Pennsylvania chapter also presented the firm with a Silver Medal Award for ArtsQuest Center.

In the words of the AIA jurors: “The design captures the energy and utilitarian beauty that the best of the industrial revolution once offered. At the same time, it demonstrates the power that a truly successful marriage of architecture and program can exert in bringing new purpose and hope to the most abandoned parts of our community.”

**

ArtsQuest Center, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania  18015 http://www.steelstacks.org
* Owner: ArtsQuest; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; http://www.artsquest.org
* Architect: Spillman Farmer; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; http://www.spillmanfarmer.com
* General contractor: Alvin H. Butz, Inc.; Allentown, Pennsylvania; http://www.butz.com
* Glazing contractor: Hutt’s Glass; Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania; http://www.huttsglass.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – glass: PPG Industries’ Solarban® 60; Pittsburgh; http://www.ppgideascapes.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Curtainwall and entrance systems – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Photos by: Paul S. Bartholomew Photography, LLC

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Media contact: Heather West, 612-724-8760, heather@heatherwestpr.com

Louisville’s new Southwest Regional Library recently opened its doors, which were provided by Tubelite Inc. along with its curtainwall and storefront framing. This new 40,000-square-foot, $10.2 million library boasts more than 120,000 books and materials, 100 public computers and the largest children’s library in the system. With respect to long-term environmental and economic sustainability, the project is pursuing LEED® Gold certification.

Southwest Regional Library is part of a master plan developed in 2008 by Minneapolis-based Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle (MSR). It is the first of three new buildings planned by the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) system. “The master plan really set the vision for the service to the entire community. It included how to deal with their existing facilities, but also to be able to expand the service into areas and communities that are under reached,” explained MSR’s principal and architect, Matthew Kruntorad, AIA, LEED AP.

JRA Architects of Louisville collaborated with LFPL and MSR on Southwest Regional Library’s design. Sullivan Cozart served as the project’s construction manager and glazing contractor Koch Corporation specified and installed Tubelite’s entrance, curtainwall and window wall systems.

Kruntorad elaborated, “It’s essentially a one-story open floor plan. Tubelite’s systems supported one of our overriding goals, which was to bring the children’s area up front, expressing the activity within the library and making it directly visible as one approached the building.”

The exterior was inspired by the act of discovery, with symbolic metal curtains that are peeled away to reveal greater knowledge within. Kruntorad continued, “The main entrance features two pairs of 9-foot-tall, wide stile doors from Tubelite – two pairs swing in and two swing out. Tubelite’s curtainwall also provided a key element for the library’s design’s daylight and transparency.”

Tubelite’s structurally glazed curtainwall allowed the project “to eliminate the exterior metal mullion covers, create an extremely clean exterior appearance and make the curtainwalls appear as open as possible,” added JRA’s project architect, Colin Drake, AIA, LEED AP. “Overall, the façade is like a village of buildings, set side by side. The building takes on a much more personal scale than the overwhelming monolithic façades common with the surrounding suburban context.”

Multiple concepts were reviewed during the project’s design planning phase. Drake remembered, “Originally, we had a much more monolithic building to try and compete with the scale of much larger nearby buildings. Then, we decided to break up the façade, pushing and pulling the pieces in plan and elevation to express the interior planning more clearly on the exterior, as well as creating opportunities for visitors to discover nuances about the building as they approached. The central curtainwall, which was dubbed the ‘beacon bay,’ stands above the rest of the building to draw sunlight deep into the building during the day and use the interior lighting to glow outward in the evening.”

The beacon bay features glazing frosted on the exterior and interior in offset, vertical stripes. From a distance, it appears to be a solid frost, but up close is revealed to allow clear views through the glass at certain angles. “In a truly progressive modern library, lighting is everything,” said Drake. By incorporating clerestories on the beacon bay, as well as in other strategic spots, the abundance of natural light in the space allows artificial lighting to be reduced in real time to minimize energy consumption.

Further supporting energy-efficiency criteria, both the curtainwall and window wall incorporate low-e insulating glass to reduce solar heat gain in the summer and heat loss in winter, thus ensuring year-round comfort for Louisville library users. “The storefront framing design allows for economical, on-site fabrication. It also virtually eliminates the transference of frost and condensation with industry-standard thermal breaks, providing framing members to incorporate the library’s entrance doors,” said Jim Oberlin, Tubelite’s Eastern regional sales manager.

Complementing the doors and window wall, Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall proved ideal for the scale and metallic aesthetic of the new library. To ensure a precise installation, Koch’s glazing team conducted field measurements prior to Tubelite manufacturing it. An eight-person crew handled the on-site installation, which was completed in October 2014. Koch’s project manager, Edwin Penna, noted, “We have a long-term relationship with Tubelite. We know how to work well together to meet the unique requirements of each project.”

Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall features 2.5-inch sightlines and an overall 6-inch system depth. Its durable framework provides exceptional structural performance, reducing the need for steel reinforcing. The aluminum used to produce Tubelite systems was extruded using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition with eco-friendly finishes.

Enhancing the project’s environmental attributes, longevity and metallic appearance, the recycled aluminum framing was finished by Linetec using clear anodize on the interior and bronze anodize on the exterior. Because anodize is an integral part of the substrate, the coating delivers excellent wear and abrasion resistance with minimal maintenance. Anodize process by-products are recyclable and anodized aluminum is 100 percent recyclable.

Recognizing Southwest Regional Library’s exceptional design with metal, the project was named the overall winner in the 2014 Metal Construction News Building and Roofing Awards.

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Southwest Regional Library, 9725 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40272, http://www.lfpl.org/branches/southwest.htm
* Owner: Louisville Free Public Library; Louisville, Kentucky; http://www.lfpl.org
* Architect: Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd.; Minneapolis; http://msrdesign.com
* Architect: JRA Architects; Louisville, Kentucky; http://jrarchitects.com
* Construction manager: Sullivan Cozart; Louisville, Kentucky; http://www.sullivancozart.com
* Glazing contractor: Koch Corporation; Louisville, Kentucky; http://kochcorporation.com
* Curtainwall, window wall and entrance systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Curtainwall, window wall and entrance systems – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://linetec.com
* Photographer: Lara Swimmer Photography

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Media contact: Heather West, heather@heatherwestpr.com

At 141,000 square feet and situated on a Texas hill, Mansfield Independent School District’s Center for the Performing Arts commands an audience amongst the students, staff and the community. Its oversized entrances are matched with large, curving spans of glass and aluminum storefront and curtainwall with sun shades – all provided by Tubelite Inc. Towering concrete columns accent the façade for a sense of flow and cascading mass.

Designed by Huckabee, the high school’s new performing arts center opened for its first event in 2012. The 5,500-seat Cunningham Performance Hall sits at its heart. Its multi-use design enables the hall to be divided into three separate event venues – including two 750-person lecture halls. In addition, a professional development center accommodates up to 500 and can be divided into six separate break-out rooms designed for meeting, training and banquet needs. Adjacent to the space are three state-of-the-art computer laboratories.

Byrne Construction Services managed the nearly two year-long building project estimated at more than $40 million. Texas Commercial Glass Concepts brought the signature look from creation to completion with Tubelite’s products. In total, 3,400 lineal feet of Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall and 14000 Series storefront wrap the performing arts center. A forecourt plaza collects visitors as they approach the facility, and a short set of stairs emphasizes the procession up the covered walkway, leading to the 9-foot-high wide stile doors at the central lobby tower.

“They wanted an impressive building with big stretches of radius curtainwall, lots of glass and monumental doors.” Tubelite was able to step in, meeting the spec and schedule, without missing a beat,” said Patric Murphy, vice president/operations manager at Texas Commercial Glass Concepts. “It was one of our larger jobs and it turned out very well. It definitely is impressive.”

Beyond aesthetics, Tubelite’s thermally improved, 7-inch-deep curtainwall and Max/Block™ sun shades help keep out the Texas heat. The sun shades’ 5-inch airfoil blades and tubular fascia direct wind and water away from the building. Enhancing the systems’ durability, Linetec finished all of the aluminum framing and sun shades in clear anodize.

“This is truly a standout building,” says Tubelite’s local client development manager, Kelly Townsend, CSI. “The entrances, curtainwall and sun shades magnify the scale and sweep of the design viewed from the exterior. Grand views and lots of daylight bring a warmth and sense of place to the interior.”

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Mansfield Independent School District, Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W Debbie Lane, Mansfield, TX 76063; http://center.mansfieldisd.org
* Architect: Huckabee; Fort Worth, Texas; http://www.huckabee-inc.com
* General contractor: Byrne Construction Services; Fort Worth, Texas; http://www.tsbyrne.com
* Glazing contractor: Texas Commercial Glass Concepts, L.P.; Weatherford, Texas; http://www.texascommercialglass.com
* Glazing systems – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
* Photos courtesy of: Huckabee

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Media contact: Heather West, heather@heatherwestpr.com

In his 20-plus years of coaching, Stew Morrill never had an office with a window. Now, Utah State University’s (USU’s) head basketball coach enjoys a gorgeous view of Cache Valley and the Wellsville Mountains framed by Tubelite’s curtainwall systems. Morill’s office is part of the University’s recently completed 32,744 square-foot Wayne Estes Training Center, which houses the campus’ basketball practice facility and 1,400-seat volleyball court. The center seeks LEED® Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a standard that all new USU projects within the last seven years has earned.

Morrill tours USU recruits through the Center with pride and happily hosts them in his office — something he and his staff had never done before the new facility opened in May 2014. The expansive glass and metal façade that characterizes his office — and the $9.7 million facility as a whole — gives the building the aesthetic and practical appeal crucial for competing in the ultra-competitive recruiting environment of college athletics.

The impressive, daylight-filled lobby interior of the new facility, recognizes the Center’s namesake, Wayne Estes, as the greatest basketball player in USU’s history. He played for the Aggies from 1963 to 1965 and likely would have gone on to play in the NBA, but died in an electrical accident in 1965. He was posthumously given All-American honor  by the Associated Press, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1967. A large mural, memorabilia and a touchscreen educational kiosk share his life’s story in the building that serves as a tribute to his legacy. In addition to the memorial lobby and the office space, the facility contains a training room, strength-and-conditioning area, two regulation-size basketball courts and a regulation-size volleyball competition court.

Before the Center came online, USU was utilizing a nearby high school court for some of its basketball and volleyball practices, because there was not enough court space available on campus. These scheduling challenges were in turn causing interruptions to student-athletes’ class schedules. “Wayne Estes Center provides an outstanding opportunity to recruit student-athletes because of the services it provides, and the wow factor it has,” said Scott Barnes, USU vice president and director of athletics.”

Designed by VCBO Architecture, USU’s new Wayne Estes Training Center was built by Okland Construction on a 10-month timeline. Beginning in September 2013, glazing contractor Steel Encounters Inc. installed the Center’s signature exterior curtainwall using Tubelite’s 400 Series system. Using Tubelite’s standard sun shade clips, Ducworks Inc. added a stainless steel, laser-cut, bull-shaped “Aggie” logo to accent the building.

The room above the court is called “the closing room,” because it presents such an enticing view for recruits visiting the facility. “The curtainwall system that contains the ‘closing room’ had to be as unobstructed as possible to enhance game views from this location,” notes VCBO’s principal, Derek Payne, AIA, LEED AP. “Potential recruits, potential donors and important visitors will all enjoy games from this location. The look of the cantilevering glass cube from the court below is also important. The sleek, mullionless look of this projection into the playing venue adds a bit of surprise and elegance to the game environment.”

Along with its attractive design, USU’s Wayne Estes Training Center was built to meet performance standards set by Utah’s Division of Facilities Construction & Management’s State Building Energy Efficiency Program (DFCM’s SBEEP). This program works to increase energy efficiency in both new and existing state buildings, and includes design and building to LEED Silver requirements. Since 2006, SBEEP reports more than $11 million in energy cost savings. Exemplifying this, Utah’s DFCM introduced an innovative approach to building envelope design on all new buildings that allow the mechanical systems to be downsized, along with significant reduction in ongoing utility costs and associated emissions.

Emphasizing the long-term savings, DFCM’s energy development director John Burningham wrote in the division’s recent newsletter (Second Quarter 2014): “Over the years DFCM has learned the immense value of having high performing building envelopes. Quality systems that perform as designed provide value to the building and its occupants for decades. Unlike mechanical systems that generally have an expected life of 10 to 20 years, the components of the building envelope generally last the entire life of the building. DFCM has one, if not the, most rigorous envelope programs in the nation to ensure the skin of the building is designed and installed with long term performance in mind.”

To support the Center’s energy-efficiency and LEED Silver certification goals, Tubelite’s curtainwall was specified with a fiberglass pressure plate and PPG’s Solarban® low-e glass, achieving a maximum solar heat gain coefficient of (SHGC) 0.34 and U-Factor of 0.39 BTU/hr.sqft.ºF. With the fiberglass pressure plate, the framing system also delivers a high condensation resistance factor (CRF) of 76.

Tubelite’s 400 Series curtainwall with fiberglass pressure plate has a 2.5-inch sightline and the strength of variable-depth back-members from 4 to 7 inches. Minimizing the need for on-site cutting and fabricating, screw holes and weeps are machined at the factory into the off-white, pultruded fiberglass material.

The curtainwall system’s metal back-members and snap-on covers can be extruded by Tubelite using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition. This also may contribute to obtaining additional credits as outlined by LEED. Enhancing the project’s environmental attributes, longevity and metallic appearance, the aluminum components were finished by Linetec using Class II clear anodize, which contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Anodize process by-products are recyclable and anodized aluminum is 100 percent recyclable. Because anodize is an integral part of the substrate, the coating delivers excellent wear and abrasion resistance with minimal maintenance.

“Student-athletes have been absolutely blown away by how nice this facility is,” stated USU’s Barnes. “What sets the Wayne Estes Center apart is its functionality as both a first-class basketball practice and elite volleyball competition venue. Our men and women’s basketball and volleyball coaches have some of the best office views in the entire valley and the finishes are spectacular.”

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Wayne Estes Training Center, Utah State University Athletics, 800 E. and 900 N., Logan, Utah 84321; http://www.utahstateaggies.com
Owner: Utah State University; Logan, Utah; http://www.usu.edu
Project manager: State of Utah, Division of Facilities Construction & Management; Salt Lake City; http://dfcm.utah.gov
Architect: VCBO Architecture; Salt Lake City; http://www.vcbo.com
General contractor: Okland Construction; http://www.okland.com
Glazing contractor: Steel Encounters Inc.; Salt Lake City; http://steelencounters.com
Specialty signage – fabricator and installer: Ducworks, Inc.; Logan, Utah
Glazing systems – manufacturer: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Michigan; https://www.tubeliteinc.com
Glazing systems – glass assemblies: PPG Industries; Solarban® 70; http://www.ppg.com
Glazing systems – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wisconsin; http://www.linetec.com
Photographers: Larry Ford, Steel Encounters Inc.; and Tyson Bybee, Bybee Photography LLC

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Media contact: Heather West, heather@heatherwestpr.com