When New York City was planning one of the first subways in the U.S. in the 1800s, a very real challenge was convincing people that going underground would be safe and pleasant. If those subterranean-fearing Victorian era Gothamites could see Manhattan’s Fulton Center transit hub opened in late 2014, they would be amazed at the light-filled, wide open space. In describing the Fulton Center, commuter Dave Palmieri told the New York Daily News, “The light pouring in is just incredible. It’s a real modern gem. Spatially, it’s like Grand Central.”
Located in the Lower Manhattan Financial District, the 180,000 square feet (16,700 square meters) Fulton Center integrates five subway stations served by nine subway lines, and includes retail and office space. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority predicts the center will serve as many as 300,000 transit riders daily.
Fire-rated curtain wall matches the non-rated system.
A defining visual feature of the Fulton Center is a 53 feet (16 meter) diameter glass oculus (Latin for “eye”) that streams light into a grand atrium. Beneath the oculus is the “Sky Reflector Net,” an artwork by James Carpenter Design Associates, Grimshaw Architects and Arup with 952 perforated aluminum panels that transmit sunlight 110 feet (34 meters) down into the Fulton Center’s lowest levels.
Within the grand atrium is a two-level circular enclosed space that will house restaurants and retail. Matching the curve of the oculus, some members of the project team affectionately call this space the “doughnut.” To keep with the light-filled aesthetic of the rest of the Fulton Center, the designers wanted this space to be glazed to allow in light from the oculus and Sky Reflector Net.
Designing and installing the glazed curtain walls for the doughnut required overcoming several complexities. In addition to its curved form, the doughnut’s walls also slant upward to match the angle of the oculus, which creates an inverted plane. To successfully achieve this design, Technical Glass Products (TGP) worked with the project team to develop custom captured horizontal steel mullions that fit the distinctive shape, for a flush and plumb surface appearance, with adequate spacing between each curtain wall segment.
Another challenge of the project was matching the aesthetics of the fire-rated curtain walls on the doughnut’s upper level and in a prominent elevator core with the non-fire-rated curtain wall system on the doughnut’s lower level. To achieve a seamless aesthetic, the designers chose TGP’s matched curtain wall systems.
To create matching curtain walls in the Fulton Center, TGP used steel framing members. Steel frames can be formed from tubes, instead of sheets, and shaped in an extrusion-like process that allows for a wide range of narrow mullion profiles. Because the same manufacturing method can be applied to fire-rated frames using steel back members, it was possible for the fire-rated curtain wall (Fireframes Curtainwall Series frames) to match the slender frame profiles of the non-rated system (SteelBuilt Curtainwall System).
"Because the interior spaces are flooded with light, a crucial part of the design aesthetic was glazed curtain walls with clean sightlines," said Andrew Anderson, associate principal, Grimshaw Architects. "That's easy enough to achieve with non-rated curtain wall assemblies, yet TGP's fire-rated curtain walls provide the same crisp, modern look. Their technical expertise and service enabled us to achieve a matching look across the curtain wall assemblies."
Further maintaining the uniform appearance between the two systems, TGP worked with the design team to develop fire-rated insulated glass units (IGUs) using Pilkington Pyrostop glass with the same decorative custom frit pattern used on the non-fire-rated glass.
This project also had the logistical challenge of delivering materials at the right time and in the right way to the crowded Lower Manhattan building site that has experienced vast redevelopment following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Tight coordination between TGP and the project team partners was crucial for successful curtain wall completions.
For more information on the Fireframes Curtainwall System and Pilkington Pyrostop, along with TGP’s other fire-rated glass and framing, visit www.fireglass.com. For more information on SteelBuilt Curtainwall System, along with TGP’s other specialty architectural glass and framing, visit www.tgpamerica.com.
Project Overview:
Project: Fulton Center Transit Hub
Location: New York City
Architect: Grimshaw Architects
Glazing Contractor: Enclos
Product: Fireframes® Curtainwall Series frames, Pilkington Pyrostop® glass and SteelBuilt Curtainwall® System
Contact Information:
Technical Glass Products
800.426.0279
800.451.9857 – fax
sales@fireglass.com
www.fireglass.com
Related Stories
| Jul 18, 2013
GSA regains stature under Tangherlini, who looks to trim its holdings, cut energy costs [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Over the past 15 months, Acting GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini has done a creditable job of restoring the agency’s standing with Congress and the public.
| Jul 2, 2013
LEED v4 gets green light, will launch this fall
The U.S. Green Building Council membership has voted to adopt LEED v4, the next update to the world’s premier green building rating system.
| Jul 1, 2013
Report: Global construction market to reach $15 trillion by 2025
A new report released today forecasts the volume of construction output will grow by more than 70% to $15 trillion worldwide by 2025.
| Jun 28, 2013
Building owners cite BIM/VDC as 'most exciting trend' in facilities management, says Mortenson report
A recent survey of more than 60 building owners and facility management professionals by Mortenson Construction shows that BIM/VDC is top of mind among owner professionals.
| Jun 5, 2013
USGBC: Free LEED certification for projects in new markets
In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council is offering free LEED certification to the first projects to certify in the 112 countries where LEED has yet to take root.
| Jun 3, 2013
Construction spending inches upward in April
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during April 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion, 0.4 percent above the revised March estimate of $857.7 billion.
| May 20, 2013
4 emerging trends in parking structure design
Survey of parking professionals reveals how technology is transforming the parking industry.
| May 3, 2013
'LEED for all GSA buildings,' says GSA Green Building Advisory Committee
The Green Building Advisory Committee established by the General Services Administration, officially recommended to GSA that the LEED green building certification system be used for all GSA buildings as the best measure of building efficiency.
| May 2, 2013
A snapshot of the world's amazing construction feats (in one flashy infographic)
From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the U.S. Interstate Highway System, this infographic outlines interesting facts about some of the world's most notable construction projects.
| May 1, 2013
Groups urge Congress: Keep energy conservation requirements for government buildings
More than 350 companies urge rejection of special interest efforts to gut key parts of Energy Independence and Security Act