Details in Contemporary Architecture ( PDFDrive )

100 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

101 South Mountain Community College Performing Arts Center

Caltrans District 7 Headquarters, Los Angeles, California
Morphosis, Santa Monica, California

Associate Architect: Gruen Associates, Los Angeles

The new Caltrans District 7 building in door offices concentrated around the inner translucent in midafternoon, and window-
downtown Los Angeles is an office building cores and large open work areas located less and opaque at midday. At first, state
for the state’s freeway engineers and admin- around the perimeter. officials were reluctant to install an electro-
istrators at the edge of the fragmented mechanical system to regulate the scrim’s
civic center. The L-shaped facility spans an Although no windows are visible, there panels, but after extensive testing of at least
entire city block, creating floor plates rough- are many windows hidden by the building’s five mock-ups, including a full-scale version
ly twice as long as those in conventional most distinctive element, a scrim wall with subjected to wind, rain, and seismic move-
office buildings. The architects compare it blue-gray coated perforated aluminum pan- ment, a pneumatic version with durable
to a horizontal highrise with two cores, one els and operable windows, which are cov- stainless steel actuator parts was accepted,
with an elevator that stops at every floor and ered by a mechanical skin of many moving providing the building with shading devices
another that operates on a “skip-stop” basis, parts, alternately open or closed as they its occupants can control.
opening onto minilobbies located on every respond to changing temperature and light
third floor. To bring daylight into the center levels. Some of the three-dimensional panels The facade system contains three differ-
of the enormous floors, there are two twelve- are fixed, but over a thousand others open ent sizes of perforated aluminum panels:
story light wells that measure 30 feet and close automatically, controlled by com- 1/4-inch holes on 11/32-inch centers,
square. With transparent curtain walls at puterized light and temperature sensors 1/2-inch holes on 11/16-inch centers, and
its center and seemingly windowless walls on the west side of the building in the morn- 1-inch holes on 1 3/8-inch centers. The
on the facade, the building appears to be a ing and on the east side in the afternoon, aluminum scrim walls also act as sunshades
conventional office building turned inside forming a ninety-degree angle with the and create a microclimate in the interstitial
out. Floor plans also reverse the usual hier- facade. The appearance of the facades from space between them and the exterior curtain
archy of office space, with private closed- the street depends on the time of the day; walls. The facade’s panels are cooled as hot
at dusk the building seems transparent, air rises upwards driven by colder air from

This page
Level 4 plan

Opposite
Top: Main Street elevation
Bottom: First Street elevation
detail

102 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture



This page 8
Top: Section looking west
Middle: Section looking south 7
Bottom: Main Street elevation
passage section (left), Main Street
elevation passage detail

Opposite
Passage

below. When the panels are closed, office
workers retain views of the surrounding city.
Over the entry courtyard, one aluminum
panel continues on outward to form a
canopy. The other scrim walls are attached
to the building with metal brackets that
secure them a foot off the building’s primary
exterior facade, consisting of an aluminum
curtain-wall system with dual glazed panels
with a heat strengthened outer face and a
low-emissivity coating on the inner surface.
The frames of the glass units, some as large
as 71 1/8 by 125 7/8 inches, are coated
with a dark gray waterproofing membrane
to create the building’s primary weather
barrier. The building’s equally innovative
south facade is entirely surfaced with photo-
voltaic cells, which generate approximately
five percent of the building’s energy, and
also act as a sunscreen to shade south-
facing windows.

8

104 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

105 Caltrans District 7 Headquarters

GRID This page
Left: Exterior lobby, art wall system
Right: Solar elevation, interior
Bottom: Solar elevation panels

Opposite
Top: Photovoltaic wall system
Bottom: Light well wall system
Right: Light well and detail

1

2
3

4

5

9 7 6
11 8 LEVEL

12 10 1 "PPG SOLARBAN 60" WINDOW SYSTEM
2 DOUBLE, GALVANIZED ANGLE SUPPORT

SYSTEM SPACED AT 5'-4" ON CENTER
(P.V. SUPPORT WELDED BETWEEN ANGLES)
3 STAINLESS STEEL CABLE RAILING
(MAINTENANCE FALL RESTRAINT)
4 10% OPEN AREA, STRUCTURALLY GLAZED
PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL
5 CONTINUOUS, GALVANIZED ANGLE BOLTED
TO COPED "T" SECTION (P.V. PANEL SUPPORT)
6 "SWISSPEARL" ETERNIT PANELS (BEYOND)
7 GALVANIZED METAL CATWALK
8 GALVANIZED, COPED "T" OUTRIGGER
BOLTED TO GALVANIZED BENT PLATE
9 FIRE SAFING WITH 1/8" THICK FIRESTOP
SEALANT OVER SURFACE
10 5/8" PAINTED GYPSUM BOARD SOFFIT
11 BATT INSULATION WITH FRAMING
AS REQUIRED BETWEEN OUTRIGGERS
12 SUSPENDED ACOUSTIC TILE CEILING

0 6" 1'-0" 2'-0" 5'-0"

PHOTOVOLTAIC WALL SYSTEM

106 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

1
2

3 LEVEL
46 1 3/8" TEMPERED, STRUCTURALLY
5
78 GLAZED CURTAIN WALL
2 GUARDRAIL LOCATED AT 3'-0" TO TOP
9
(PROVIDES OPEN SPACE TO GLAZING
12 11 FOR PROPER SPRINKLER COVERAGE)
3 CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM BEYOND
10 4 FIRE SAFING WITH 1/8" THICK FIRESTOP
SEALANT OVER SURFACE, SEALED TO
BACK OF GLAZING
5 FILM APPLIED IN STRIP TO SECOND
SURFACE OF GLAZING TO HIDE SAFING
AND FIRE SEALANT.
(COLOR TO MATCH MULLION)
6 LINE OF FILM BEYOND
7 SHEET METAL, SNAP-IN CLOSURE
(PAINTED TO MATCH MULLION)
8 FIRE SPRINKLER (2 HOUR RATING)
9 5/8" GYPSUM BOARD SOFFIT
(PAINTED TO MATCH MULLION)
10 PERFORATED METAL CEILING STRIPS
(COLOR TO MATCH MULLION)
11 SHEET METAL CLOSURE (PAINTED WHITE)
12 SUSPENDED ACOUSTIC TILE CEILING

0 6" 1'-0" 2'-0" 5'-0"

LIGHTWELL WALL SYSTEM (2HR RATED)

GRID

1

2
3

4
5
6

9 7 LEVEL
11 8 1 "PPG SOLARBAN 60" WINDOW SYSTEM
2 DOUBLE, GALVANIZED ANGLE SUPPORT
12
10 SYSTEM SPACED AT 6'-0" ON CENTER
(ART SUPPORT BOLTED BETWEEN ANGLES)
107 Caltrans District 7 Headquarters 3 STAINLESS STEEL CABLE RAILING
(MAINTENANCE FALL RESTRAINT)
4 "BIRDWIRE" BIRD DETERRENT SYSTEM
MOUNTED TO TOP OF ALUMINUM SECTION
5 ALUMINUM SECTION WITH DRIP EDGE
(STRUCTURE FOR NEON PUBLIC ART PIECE)
6 NEON TUBE WITH GLASS MOUNTS
7 GALVANIZED METAL CATWALK
8 GALVANIZED, COPED "T" OUTRIGGER
BOLTED TO GALVANIZED BENT PLATE
9 FIRE SAFING WITH 1/8" THICK FIRESTOP
SEALANT OVER SURFACE
10 5/8" PAINTED GYPSUM BOARD SOFFIT
11 BATT INSULATION WITH FRAMING
AS REQUIRED BETWEEN OUTRIGGERS
12 SUSPENDED ACOUSTIC TILE CEILING

0 6" 1'-0" 2'-0" 5'-0"

EXTERIOR LOBBY / ART WALL SYSTEM

GRID

2 4
3

1

5

6 LEVEL 1 "PPG SOLARBAN 60" WINDOW SYSTEM
8 2 PERFORATED ALUMINUM PANEL

9 SUB-STRUCTURE (PAINTED TO MATCH
10 "SWISSPEARL")
11 3 FIXED PERFORATED ALUMINUM PANEL
4 OPERABLE PERFORATED ALUMINUM
7 PANEL TO OPEN 90∞TO VERTICAL
12 5 PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR CONTROLLED
BY BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
6 OPEN SLOT IN SKIN (PANELS REMOVED)
7 PRE-FORMED PERFORATED ALUMINUM
PANEL WITH OPEN ENDS
8 FIRE SAFING WITH 1/8" THICK FIRESTOP
SEALANT OVER SURFACE
9 "SARNAFIL" MEMBRANE WITH INTEGRAL
COLOR TO MATCH "SWISSPEARL"
10 5/8" EXTERIOR SHEATHING
11 BATT INSULATION WITH FRAMING
AS REQUIRED
12 SUSPENDED ACOUSTIC TILE CEILING

0 6" 1'-0" 2'-0" 5'-0"

PERFORATED PANEL WALL SYSTEM

This page
Top: Perforated panel wall system
Left: Elevation window detail
Right: Window detail

Opposite
Elevation, operable windows

108 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

109 Caltrans District 7 Headquarters

GRID
12

2 4
3

1

5

6 LEVEL 1 "PPG SOLARBAN 60" WINDOW SYSTEM
7 2 PERFORATED ALUMINUM PANEL
8
SUB-STRUCTURE (PAINTED TO MATCH
9 "SWISSPEARL")
10 3 FIXED PERFORATED ALUMINUM PANEL
11 (PAINTED TO MATCH "SWISSPEARL")
4 OPERABLE PERFORATED ALUMINUM
PANEL (PAINTED TO MATCH "SWISSPEARL")
5 PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR CONTROLLED
BY BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
6 "SWISSPEARL" ETERNIT PANELS
7 GALVANIZED, COLD FORMED
METAL SUB-STRUCTURE
8 FIRE SAFING WITH 1/8" THICK FIRESTOP
SEALANT OVER SURFACE
9 "SARNAFIL" MEMBRANE WITH INTEGRAL
COLOR TO MATCH "SWISSPEARL"
10 5/8" EXTERIOR SHEATHING
11 BATT INSULATION WITH FRAMING
AS REQUIRED
12 SUSPENDED ACOUSTIC TILE CEILING

0 6" 1'-0" 2'-0" 5'-0"

CEMENT PANEL WALL SYSTEM

This page
Top: Cement panel wall system
Bottom: Operable window and
sunshade

Opposite
Top: North facade, curtain wall
system
Bottom: Canopy detail

110 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

GRID

1

2
34

65 LEVEL 1 "PPG SOLARBAN 60," STRUCTURALLY
7 GLAZED CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM

10 8 2 "SWISSPEARL" ETERNIT PANELS
9 (AT END WALL BEYOND)

3 FIXED PERFORATED ALUMINUM
PANELS BEYOND

4 PERFORATED ALUMINUM PANEL
SUB-STRUCTURE (PAINTED TO MATCH
"SWISSPEARL")

5 STEEL OUTRIGGER BEYOND, PROJECTING
FROM CENTER OF ENDWALL TO SUPPORT
PERFORATED ALUMINUM SKIN.
(PAINTED TO MATCH "SWISSPEARL")

6 FIRE SAFING WITH 1/8" THICK FIRESTOP
SEALANT OVER SURFACE

7 SHEET METAL, SNAP-IN CLOSURE
(PAINTED TO MATCH MULLION)

8 5/8" GYPSUM BOARD SOFFIT
(PAINTED TO MATCH MULLION)

9 EXPOSED STEEL COLUMN TO DAMPEN
VIBRATION IN CANTILEVER
(PAINTED TO MATCH MULLION)

10 SUSPENDED ACOUSTIC TILE CEILING

0 6" 1'-0" 2'-0" 5'-0"

NORTH FACADE CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM

111 Caltrans District 7 Headquarters

Seattle Public Library, Seattle, Washington
OMA|LMN: A Joint Venture

Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), Rotterdam, Netherlands
LMN Architects, Seattle

The twelve-story 362, 987-square-foot In order to understand the construction ment, allowing holes connecting steel and
Seattle Public Library sits on a steep urban of the curtain-wall system, some under- aluminum to align. The mullion system’s
site with a 29-foot height difference between standing of the building’s structural system multiple components are attached using
its boundaries on Fourth and Fifth avenues. is necessary. In general the structure is a screw-within-a-screw attachment, allowing
The library’s distinctive exterior skin, a steel, composed of both load-bearing and seismic for sequenced installation of each compo-
glass, and aluminum diamond-shaped grid, systems. The load-bearing system, in the nent while minimizing the number of con-
began with the simple concept of wrapping form of columns and beams, supports the nection points needed. To emphasize the
the entire building in a continuous layer elevated platforms containing program component construction of the curtain-wall
of transparency. This layer, with its faceted spaces. The seismic structure—I-beam steel system, each of these stainless steel screw
planes, outlines the elevated platforms on arranged in latticelike geometry—connects attachments is exposed to view.
the exterior while creating a variety of inter- platform to platform, providing bracing dur-
connected spaces on the interior. Unifying ing a seismic event. While both systems exist A different mullion system had to be
these shifting planes of glass, a common to ensure the building’s stability, they each developed for the vertical glass facades.
diamond module has been utilized for the create different conditions for the support Unlike the sloping facades, seismic steel is
mullion framing across the entire envelope. of the curtain wall. not needed for structural support. For these
Seemingly simple in concept, the curtain- areas the team designed a deeper alumi-
wall glazing system is comprised of numer- The predominant mullion system sloping num mullion that would withstand lateral
ous components, each requiring extensive in both an overslung (skylight) and under- loading while spanning from floor to floor
scrutiny by the design team and fabricator slung (reverse skylight) orientation became along a diagonal. When viewed from the
to function both separately and as a com- the basis for many design development exterior, the appearance of both the vertical
plete assembly. Realizing that a custom studies. The final design incorporates a dia- and sloped mullion systems match. On the
curtain-wall system would be required, the mond module that marries the most effi- interior however, the deeper aluminum
project team initiated an early bid package cient use of nonstandard glass panel shapes profile of the vertical mullion body adds
describing the scope and design intent with adequate steel spanning capacity. Since sufficient strength to sustain lateral curtain-
of the general system. Using this delivery it is directly supported on seismic steel, wall loads between floors. Originally
method, the design team, a joint venture this particular system incorporates a thinner designed as a rectangle profile, the mullion
between architect OMA and LMN, hoped to overall depth with a thickened aluminum was later shaped to mimic the I-beam profile
gain greater control over the system’s final section to allow for greater spanning ability of the sloping seismic steel. A hollow void
outcome by having technical expertise avail- and fewer support connections. As a result, within the mullion section allows an alumi-
able during the design process. The bid was the engineered mullion system relies on only num splice plate to join mullions at tall
awarded to the German firm Seele GmbH two connection points per diamond. While facade sections. The void also provides
under a design-build contract. This collabo- adding efficiency to the curtain-wall system, space for aluminum plates to snap in at
ration between architect and manufacturer the utilization of seismic steel for direct sup- each floor edge, closing the gap between
helped the curtain-wall system develop from port also added much complexity. Due to its slab edge and glass. The vertical weight of
the initial design concepts into a construct- high cost, architectural grade steel could not each facet is supported from below on
ible reality with little lost in translation. The be specified for the seismic structure; there- armatures connected back to the structure.
team reviewed the design of the system and fore, erection tolerance differences between Lateral bracing is transferred through
its components from many aspects, includ- the steel and curtain-wall system are consid- threaded rod attachments located along the
ing aesthetics, structural capacity, thermal erable. To allow for these different toleranc- edge of each floor. The threaded rods pro-
performance, weatherproofing, mainte- es, Seele developed setting blocks of various vide tolerance adjustment and are sized to
nance, and constructibility. depths with hidden slots routed into them. flex when responding to thermal movement
The slots provide multiple planes of adjust- of the curtain-wall system.

Opposite
Top: Fourth and Madison
Bottom: Entry passage

112 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture



This page
Bottom: Unfolded elevation
diagram (Darker diamonds
indicate mechanical louvers);
Fourth Avenue elevation (right)

Opposite
Top: Third floor plan
Bottom: Living room

Integral to the design development of to the exterior through the mesh. Ideal for water caught at the lower vertex of each
the curtain wall was the envelope’s thermal shading, the microdiamond pattern of the diamond is addressed by tooling a slight
performance. Except for the roof, louvers, metal mesh also mimics the larger diamond ramp in the sealant joints of adjacent
and exposed concrete foundation walls, the pattern of the curtain-wall mullions. mullions allowing for the water’s release. To
exterior envelope is comprised entirely of Originally envisioned as laminated between verify these measures actually worked as
vision glass. This posed a considerable chal- sheets of glass, the metal mesh floats within designed, a portion of the building was built
lenge to the design team given the current a 2-millimeter airspace in the final design. as a full-scale mock-up and forced to under-
energy codes and the level of thermal per- Clear low-iron glass is used in front of the go extreme weather testing in controlled
formance the curtain-wall system would mesh to brighten its appearance when conditions.
be required to achieve. The entire envelope, viewed from the exterior.
including all of its component parts, was The complicated geometry of the facade
included in the energy calculations. To help To waterproof the building in Seattle’s facets, including four that are nonplanar,
meet the required performance level, rainy climate, Seele designed three levels of meant increased scrutiny where adjacent
approximately half of the insulated glazing defense into the system: the exterior alumi- surfaces meet to form a seam. Insulated
panels were fabricated with airspaces con- num mullion cap with premolded silicone aluminum closure panels were designed to
taining krypton gas and newly developed gaskets; insulated glazing panels with flex- transition across each seam while maintain-
high performance low-E coatings. In addi- ible butyl tape applied along every joint ing angle alignment with the adjacent planes
tion, to combat increased solar heat gain between panels; and silicone gaskets mold- of glass. Because the geometry for each
experienced during the summer months, an ed to fit the interior surface of the mullion facet needed to be precise, the position of
aluminum expanded metal mesh interlayer body. While the mullion cap, seals, and glass the seismic steel was adjusted to the curtain
was chosen for the glass panels receiving keep most of the water from entering the wall’s position in order to guarantee tight-
the most sun. The mesh’s mini louvers pro- system, the next two layers channel any fitting seams. A typical process would have
vide shielding of direct sun as well as views remaining moisture to weep holes along the the steel located first with the curtain wall
lower edge of each facade. Even standing layered over it. Each of the building’s four

114 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

115 Seattle Public Library

This page
Reading room

Opposite
Top: North-south section
Bottom: East-west section

general street elevations has a diamond expansion space was provided at the lead- members, providing load-carrying capacity.
module continuous from top to bottom, ing edge of each gutter. Three stainless steel Window washers use carabiners to connect
bending at each horizontal seam; because snow fences, 1/4 inch thick, are located in to these eyebolts in order to pull themselves
of differing geometries, the diamond module the gutter openings where necessary. Used within reach of the glass. These same eye-
is not contiguous around corners. This to prevent snow and ice from sliding off the bolts can also be utilized to support small
creates four vertical corner conditions, one building’s sloped surfaces, the fences are work platforms should it be necessary to
at each elevation’s edge. Corner panels hav- shaped to appear as if unfolded out of the replace any underslung glass panels.
ing an inward profile accentuate the discon- adjacent gutter void. Steel armatures that
tinuity of the diamond pattern. All other penetrate the gutter’s waterproofing layer Fabricated entirely in Germany and
panels have an in-plane alignment from and connect back to the structural steel shipped overseas to Seattle for installation,
facet to facet where diamond patterns align. support each fence. the library’s curtain-wall system made a
This geometry was tracked throughout the long journey both physically and metaphor-
course of the project by use of an unfolded To clean the expanses of exterior glass, ically. From sketches to shop drawings, the
elevation diagram depicting the best overall a process inspired by mountain climbing is collaborative design and engineering effort
view of the curtain wall’s complexity. used. Traditional outriggers at the roof of the produced a working envelope that fulfills
building allow window washers to descend stringent functional requirements while still
Special attention was given to facets each elevation from top to bottom on bosun expressing its earliest conceptual intentions.
where water collection and snow retention chairs. While the skylight and vertical
were causes for concern. Gutters sized for facades are scaled more easily, the under- Text contributed by Steve DelFraino,
the required capacity were incorporated slung surfaces require additional measures LMN Architects
as a thin trough across the lower edge of to reach the glass. Stainless-steel eyebolts,
each facet. Since horizontal joints allowing which protrude through the mullion body
for thermal movement could not be incor- and cap, are spaced at close intervals. Each
porated into the mullion’s diamond pattern, eyebolt is attached back to seismic steel

116 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

117 Seattle Public Library

118 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

Opposite
Gutter and snow fence detail
This page
Exterior wall section

119 Seattle Public Library

120 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

Opposite
Top: Vertical corner detail
Bottom: Vertical mullion detail
This page
Top: Eyebolt section (left),
eyebolt elevation
Bottom: Fifth Avenue elevation

121 Seattle Public Library

2 This page
Top left: Typical seam panel corner
1 Bottom left: Typical seam panel
non-corner
3 Upper right: Curtain wall seismic
4 grid module
Lower right: Middle panel has
metal mesh interlayer

Opposite
Top: Typical sloping mullion
Bottom: Living room, curtain wall
fills void between platforms

5

1. Aluminum Mullion
2. Expanded Metal Mesh Glazing

at Sloping Facet
3. Waterproof Membrane Panel Liner

Glazed into Mullion Body
4. Insulated Aluminum Panel at

Corner Condition
5. Seismic Steel Knife Plate

1
2

3
4

5

1. Expanded Metal Mesh Glazing 6
2. Seismic Steel Knife Plate
3. Waterproof Membrane Panel Liner

Glazed into Mullion Body
4. Insulated Aluminum Panel at

Non-Corner Condition
5. Aluminum Mullion
6. Vision Glass

122 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

1

2

2
3
4

9
5

1. Expanded Metal Mesh Supported 8
between 2 layers of Glass 76

2. Molded Silicone Gaskets
3. Aluminum Mullion Cap
4. Exposed Cap Fastener
5. Flexible Butyl Tape
6. Low-E Coating
7. Laminated Safety Glazing at

Overslung Condition
8. Seismic Support Steel
9. Setting Block

123 Seattle Public Library

Delta Shelter, Mazama, Washington
Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects,
Seattle, Washington

Set on a slight rise within a one-hundred- With substantial portions of the cabin
year flood plain in an alpine river valley, this prefabricated offsite—steel structure, roof,
1,000-square-foot cabin, a 20-foot-square in shutters, and stairs—the basic frame of the
plan, is essentially a steel-clad box on stilts house was quickly constructed. The cabin
that can be completely shuttered when the is supported by four steel columns. Floors
owner is away. Conceived as a low-tech, are 3-by-6-inch tongue-and-groove wood
virtually indestructible weekend house, the car decking; exterior wood infill walls are
cabin is raised above the ground to mini- clad in 16-gauge hot-rolled steel sheets with
mize potential flood damage and to take in exposed steel fasteners. One half of each
360-degree views of the surrounding forest exterior facade is glazed, the other half
and mountains. The cabin is composed of is clad in steel. All four 10-by-18-foot steel
three levels: the lowest level is half carport, shutters can be opened and closed simulta-
half utility and storage room; the middle neously by using a crank that moves the
level consists of the entry, the master bed- shutters over the glazed portions of each
room, a small guestroom, and one and a half facade. The shutters are operated by a series
bathrooms; the top level is one large space of mechanical devices including a hand
that includes living, dining, and cooking wheel, drive shafts, u-joints, spur gears, and
areas. Cantilevered steel decks extend from cables.
the top and middle levels and provide space
for outdoor sleeping and entertaining.

This page
Exterior perspective

Opposite
Shutters open

124 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

125 Project Name

Roof

Hand Crank

Structural Steel
Chimney
Fixed Wall Panels
Entry Stair

Shutters Open Shutters Closed

126 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

Opposite
Top: Exploded view (left),
wheel detail
Bottom: Shutters open and
closed (left), shutters closed

This page
Top: Hand wheel (left) and
shutter mechanism
Middle: Gear rack (left)
and U-joint
Bottom: Gears

127 Delta Shelter

GKD-USA, Inc. Headquarters Building, Cambridge, Maryland
Dominique Perrault Architecture, Paris, France

Executive Architect: Ziger/Snead LLP, Architects, Baltimore, Maryland

GKD Gebrüder Kufferath AG is a leading stiff in the other direction. The meshes are beyond the face of the building, a 30-foot-
German weaving mill, supplying many types fabricated in widths up to 25 feet and tall freestanding woven metal mesh screen
of woven metals and plastics for technically in lengths limited only by the weight of the has been placed in the landscape. Located
demanding applications: finely woven mesh material itself. GKD fabrics are manufac- along the main access road, it partially
for the filtration industry, process conveyor tured with noncorroding, high-grade AISI screens the adjacent buildings from the
belting for the food industry, and decorative Type 316 stainless steel, so little or no main- offices while acting as a linear billboard
and functional metal fabrics for architectural tenance is required; alternative types of to advertise the presence GKD and its metal
applications. GKD metal fabrics are pro- stainless steel are sometimes chosen for mesh products. The remaining administra-
duced in various weights, textures, and specific environments. tive spaces are located on the second level
degrees of transparency and flexibility. The along the eastern facade where sliding mesh
fabrics are subdivided into product families The new GKD-USA building includes a screens, which can be controlled individually
focused on single elements in different den- showroom, offices, and facilities for the pro- by those inside, provide shade and animate
sities, some of which have the light and flex- duction of woven meshes and metal fabrics. the facade.
ible qualities of cables; others are On a flat site in a suburban industrial park,
characterized by the rigidity, mass, and the project consists of approximately 40,000 The showroom illustrates the aesthetics,
durability of the rods; and hybrids possess- square feet and includes a double-height functionality, and versatility of woven metal
ing the elements and qualities of both types sky-lit manufacturing hall, flanked on the architectural design fabrics. The detailing
to varying degrees. The cables create flexibil- north and east sides by two levels of offices and selection of materials is intended to
ity lengthwise and the rods stability cross- for administration and technical support reflect the qualities for which GKD’s prod-
wise so that the material can be easily staff. The entire volume is wrapped in reflec- ucts are noted—durability, efficiency,
tensioned in one direction while remaining tive metal sheeting, allowing the factory to and craftsmanship—as well as their visual
blend into its environment. Fifteen feet and functional properties—reflectivity,

This page
Sections

Opposite
Top: Northwest corner
Bottom: Entrance

128 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture



transparency, density, flexibility, and perme-
ability to light and air. The taut, lean form
of the building recalls the classic American
industrial shed, transformed by applications
of GKD metal fabric inside and outside to
create a showcase for the company’s prod-
ucts. The 150-foot-long wire mesh facade is
an example of the design potential of the
woven stainless steel fabric. The light bounc-
ing off Chesapeake Bay is constantly in flux,
and the surfaces of the building reflect the
changing light so that its appearance chang-
es according to the time of day, the weather,
and even the season. Light bouncing off
the wire mesh produces novel prismatic
effects and, depending on the viewing angle,
works to reveal or obscure the building
behind it. There are movable sunscreen
panels on the windows, suspended ceilings
made of wire mesh, and stainless steel
mesh floor coverings.

This page
Top: Site plan
Bottom: North elevation
Opposite
Manufacturing hall

130 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

131 GKD-USA, Inc. Headquarters Building

1’ East Screen Detail Elevation
132 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

Opposite
Top: East screen elevation
Bottom: Northeast corner

This page
Top: East screen detail
Bottom: Northeast corner (left),
east elevation detail

Partial
(From
Sliding

133 GKD-USA, Inc. Headquarters Building

on Section a

134 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

Opposite Partial Eleva
Left: East screen section (From Inside
Right: North screen inside at Bottom o
This page
Top: East screen, inside detail
Bottom: Lobby (left), northeast
corner

135 GKD-USA, Inc. Headquarters Building

Horizontal Section Horizo
(Looking Up) (Look
at Conference Room at Co

Horizontal Section Vertic
(Looking Up) at Co
at Conference Room
Horizontal Section
(Looking Up) Vertical Section
at Conference Room at Conference Room

Vertical Section Vertical Section
at Conference Room at Conference Room
This page
Top: Conference room horizontal 0“ 2“ Meeting Room Ceiling Details
section looking up (left), 0“ 2“ Meeting Room Ceiling Details
conference room vertical section
at ceiling
Bottom: Meeting room ceiling
section and plan details

Opposite
Top: North screen elevation (left),
north screen detail
Bottom: North elevation
at night (left), north elevation
and exterior screen

136 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

0“ 2“ North Screen Detail

0‘ 1’ North Screen Elevation Detail

137 GKD-USA, Inc. Headquarters Building

The Solar Umbrella, Venice, California
Pugh + Scarpa Architecture, Santa Monica, California

When enlarging their existing house in surfaces throughout the house. Using a conversion of different segments of the
Venice, California from 850 to 2,200 square process known as thin film amorphous sili- spectrum. A percentage of the light energy
feet, Angela Brooks and Larry Scarpa select- con solar technology, the solar modules are falling onto each solar module is then con-
ed materials based on technical perfor- created by laminating thin layers of semi- verted into direct current (DC) electricity
mance as well as aesthetic qualities. Taking conductor alloys directly onto heat-strength- for use at the place of generation, or an
advantage of the unusual through-lot condi- ened glass, then forming individual cells by inverter can convert the DC electricity into
tion on the 41-by-100-foot site, the new a laser scribing process. Of the three main alternating current (AC) and feed it back to
floor plan shifts the residence 180 degrees types of solar cells, crystalline, polycrystal- the electricity grid. The noncombustible
south, allowing the architects to optimize line, and amorphous, the latter offer an photovoltaic system consists of seventy-
the building’s exposure to sunlight. Inspired opportunity for cost savings in building con- eight solar modules, fifty-seven on the roof
by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House in Lido struction because they can replace other and twenty-one on the south facade. Each
Shores, Florida (1953), the roof is a reinven- building components; the lower conversion module is equipped with an integral fram-
tion of the solar canopy, a formal strategy efficiency of the amorphous silicon technol- ing/mounting/wiring system for direct roof
that protects the house from exposure ogy relative to crystalline and polycrystalline mounting; the interlocking frame assemblies
to intense sunlight while simultaneously technology makes it otherwise less desir- enable fast installation and a seamless
absorbing and transforming it into usable able. The silicon layers can be applied to array appearance. Integral DC plug-together
energy, electricity. glass, plastic, or metal in a variety of pat- electrical connectors enable the array to
terns and thicknesses to become part of a be assembled quickly without tools. Once
Solar panels, usually relegated to an building’s glazing or wall systems, unlike assembled, the connectors are concealed in
inconspicuous and utilitarian role, define the crystalline and polycrystalline panels that channels in the anodized frame, providing
building envelope. A solar array is wrapped are added onto the building envelope with- an uncluttered appearance and easy access
around the south elevation and the roof of out replacing any building components. for troubleshooting. Both passive and active
the house becomes its defining formal ele- solar design strategies combined render
ment. The panels resemble tinted blue-black The modules used on the canopy and the Solar Umbrella one hundred percent
glass from the outside, but from below, facade of the Solar Umbrella enhance effi- independent from the electrical utility grid.
incident light is filtered as through a prism, ciency by stacking two silicon solar cells
resulting in rainbows of illumination cast on vertically, with each cell tuned for optimum

This page
Umbrella sketches

Opposite
Rear elevation

138 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

139 Project Name

140 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

Opposite
Southeast corner

This page
Top: Second floor plan
Middle: First floor plan
Bottom: Roof plan with solar
panel layout

0 12 3a 3
(F.O. EXISTING WALL.)
50' 2
25' 25' A4.1

(9.70) 100'-0"

P.L. P.L. 5'-0" 9'-0 1/2" P.L. 8'-3 1/2" P.L. 5.120' SETBACK
ABOVE18FT
TOP OF (E) C.L.1"
PARAPET C.L.
EL.23.08' C.L. LINE OF REQUIR!ED
C.L. SIDE YARD SETBACK
(E) SLOPE 5'-1 1/2"

10" 10" 10" 10"

LINE OF UNI-STRUT PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOF P!ANEL
AS DASHED FINISHED @ EL. 34!.55'
(25' (VENICE INTERIM ORDINA! NCE)
FROM THE CENTERLINE OF WHIC!HEVER
ADJACENT STREET IS THE LOW!EST IN
ELEVATION ( EL. 9.55') - SEE 2/A0.0 SITE PLAN

P.L. (E) SLOPE (E) SLOPE OPEN PATIO BELOW

(E) ONE STORY PHOTOVOLTAIC PA!NEL NOTE:! 1
BUILDING ROOF (STANDARD SIZE 27.7"X!48.4" ! A4.0
BELOW = TOTAL OF (57) PANELS "NON-COMBUSTIBLE" PHOTOVOLTAIC !SYSTEM
CONSISTS OF 78 MODULES T! OTAL 2
2 (E) SKYLIGHT 30'-11 3/8" 57 ON ROOF, 21 ON SOUTH FA!CADE. A5.1
A5.1 TO REMAIN !
TYPE: BP SOLAR AMORPHOUS S!ILICON
PV COMBINER BOXES, GFI's AND 6" LOWER ROOF BELOW
INVERTERS LOCATED BELOW 6" 6" TANDEM JUNCT! ION
RE: A3.1 BP850 - 50W MODULE W/ INTEGRA! FRAME
"NON-COMBUST!IBLE"
SIZE: 27.7" x 48.4" (OUT TO OUT)

2 PANELS NEST IN LONG DIRECTION
A4.0
D +/- 9'-0" (E) ROOF
1 P.L. @ EL 21.33'
A5.1 LINE OF ROO! F LINE OF ROO! F 1
BELOW! A5.1
BELOW! @ EL 34.375"
@ EL 34.375'

+/- 2'-4"

TYP. SPACING 5'-1 1/2" LINE OF REQUIR!ED 5.120' SETBACK
@ 1" SIDE YARD SETBACK
(9.55) P.L. P.L.
P.L. P.L.
3 ROOF BELO!W
A5.0 @ EL 34.375' PHOTOVOLTAIC SYS!TEM PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOF P!ANEL
@ FACADE - RE: 1/A4.1 FINISHED @ EL. 34!.55'
(25' (VENICE INTERIM ORDINA! NCE)
FACE OF (E) WALL @ GROUND FLOOR FROM THE CENTERLINE OF WHIC!HEVER
ADJACENT STREET IS THE LOW!EST IN
ELEVATION ( EL. 9.55') - SEE 2/A0.0 SITE PLAN

FACE OF(N) PLYWOOD 1 FACE OF FINISHED TILT-UP CONC. WALL
A4.1 FACE OF SOLAR PANEL @ ROOF

2 1
A5.0 A5.0

38'-4" 3a 3

0 12

141 The Solar Umbrella

SECTION ASECTION A
SECTION A

616 01 3 7 15 feet

SECTION BSECTION B BOCCACCIO AVE. ELEVATION

SECTION CSECTION C

SECTION B SECTION C

616 0 1 3 0 17 3 7 15 feet 15 feet

BOCCACCIO AVE. ELEVATION 15 feet WOODLAWN AVE. ELEVATION 01 3 7 15 feet

This page 01 3 7
Top: Longitudinal section
Middle: Cross sections 01 3 7 15 feet
Bottom: Front elevation (left),
rear elevation 01 3 7 15 feet
Opposite
Roof terrace with solar panels
142 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

WOODLAWN AVE. ELEVATION

143 The Solar Umbrella

School of Architecture, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas
RoTo Architects, Inc., Los Angeles, California

Architect of Record: HKS, Inc., Dallas, Texas

The new College of Art and Architecture at walls appear to be lightweight and almost the slope of the wall in every instance;
Prairie View A&M University has sinuous, fabric-like but when seen close up, the pro- rather, they helped to establish limits for the
curtainlike brick walls that harmonize with files of each individual brick are visible. three-dimensional modeling of the facades.
the colors and textures of the surrounding
native prairie grass landscape. On the north The construction of the brick walls is a The design team investigated traditional
facade the brick peels away like curtains to modification of a conventional brick curtain- methods of animating the texture of brick
allow slots of light into the classrooms and wall system in which the bricks are self-sup- walls by giving their surfaces greater three-
interior portions of the building. At the edge porting from floor to floor. At each floor, they dimensional plasticity, such as the tech-
of the school is the new cultural center, are supported on a steel angle that is either niques of corbelling, in which small
another brick building linked to the rest of tied into the primary concrete frame, or a projections are incrementally built out from
the complex by its use of the same struc- steel frame, depending upon the location a brick wall, each course extending out
tural module and proportioning system, thus in the building. In order to use this system slightly farther than the one below, and rota-
remaining an identifiable element but also without extensive customization of the tion, where bricks are extended or turned
recognizable as part of the whole. RoTo frame, supports, and brick detailing, two to project slightly outward from the face
Architects was particularly interested in the guidelines were established: the walls undu- of the wall. When construction began, the
traditions and craft of brick-making and late in plan but are always straight, sloped architects met with master bricklayers to
wanted the new building to exhibit the full lines in section; and the angle at which the investigate ways in which the building itself
range of the bricklayer’s skills. Brick is natu- brick vertical walls were allowed to slope was could be used as a vehicle for teaching by
rally heavy and grounds a building literally rigorously monitored so that their function incorporating textbook examples of basic
and metaphorically; the architects wanted as a watertight curtain wall would not be brick bonds and courses in its walls. Mock-
to make it lighter. In a departure from the compromised. ups were constructed, layouts and patterns
conventional practices of bricklaying— tested, as well as grout profiles and depths,
bricks laid in straight lines, horizontally, and The architects discovered that the corners for acute and oblique conditions
aligned flush vertically—the brick layouts selection of brick determined the size of the defined, and details developed for the con-
at Prairie View are linear, but also curvilinear, slope increment. The traditional brick veneer struction of a four-story corner that was
circular, and angular, shifting progressively construction of the Architecture and Art broadly curved at the bottom with a ninety-
in and out, creating undulating surfaces that Building where the brick wall is only one degree bend at the top. The collaborative
intercept sunlight throughout the day and wythe thick could sustain one increment hands-on exchanges were critical for the
cast dynamic shadow patterns, making the while the two-wythe, solid brick construction overall success of the project.
walls come alive. From a distance, these technology employed at the cultural center
allowed that increment to be increased. The
guidelines did not necessarily determine

This page
South elevation

Opposite
Top: South elevation screen
Bottom: Breezeway, gallery,
and entrance

144 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture



A BC DE F

ARCHITECTURE CANYON ARCHITECTURE
STUDIO STUDIO
SUN SCREEN
BRIDGE FACULTY
LOUNGE
MAIN SPACE
CORBELLED BRICK

GALLERY / PORCH
PIN-UP

CROSS SECTION AA

This page
Top: First floor plan
Above: Cross section

Opposite
Screen detail

146 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

147 School of Architecture, Prairie View A&M University

148 AsBuilt / Details in Contemporary Architecture

3'-7" CLERESTORY

16'-0"

10'-8" ARCHITECTURE
STUDIO

13'-4"

16'-0" RELIEF ANGLE OFFICE
OFFICE
CAST-IN-PLACE
CONCRETE FRAME

CONCRETE COLUMN
BEYOND

CORBELLED BRICK
ON COLD FORMED

STEEL FRAMING

GLAZED ALUMINUM
WALL SYSTEM

1'-4"

Opposite RIVER ROCK
Stair to courtyard
TYPICAL SECTION THROUGH BRICK SKIN
This page
Typical section through
brick skin

149 School of Architecture, Prairie View A&M University