Project: Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre
Location: Ontario, Canada
Architect: Salter Pilon Architecture in association with Lett Architects
Glazing Contractor: Aeroloc Industries
Channel Glass Supplier: Technical Glass Products
Glass Style: Pilkington Profilitā¢ channel glass; low-e tempered Pilkington Profilit channel glass
Ā
Ontario's new Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre, designed by Salter Pilon Architecture, is one of the largest multi-use recreation facilities in the province. However, it does more than foster a healthy lifestyle through recreational and cultural activities. Its 1,400-sf serpentine channel glass wall delivers dramatic visual appeal for residentsāone of the town's three core visions for the new facility. Ā
To create the curving glass faƧade, the design team turned to Pilkington Profilitā¢ channel glass. Unlike conventional windows and glass block, its slender frames and narrow channel glass segments allow for tight radiiāas low as 1.9 meters (78 in.). While this flexibility enabled the design team to create a serpentine configuration, one technical challenge was ensuring a homogenous appearance in areas of the facade with different radii. Channel glass segments tangent to one another flow smoothly into adjacent curves or straight sections. Creating a seamless transition is more complex where different radii prevent tangent segments.
To ensure the U-shaped channel glass system did not interfere with the joint connection and interrupt the channel glass wallās uniform look, flanged L-shaped channel glass planks were installed on one side of the joint transition and full U-shaped channel glass planks on the opposing side. This configuration allowed the channel glass framing head and sill components to be stretch-formed into a smooth continuous structure with a precise radius.Ā
The serpentine channel glass application is formed of a mixture of standard cast glass and clear channel glass. The standard cast glass diffuses light through its textured surface while also obscuring vision. Clear cast glass adds a second layer of visual interest and provides occupants with greater access to daylight and views to nature. This glazing combination helps the system meet the different light transfer, privacy and visibility needs of the various rooms it encloses. A low-emissivity coating further boosts the faƧadeās thermal performance.Ā
The completed faƧade flanks the Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centreās east exterior wall. It breaks up the buildingās rectangular shape and serves as a surround for a lobby, meeting room and multipurpose room. By day it transmits light into the leisure centreās interior rooms. By night, its backlit form helps welcome people inside.Ā
TGPās Pilkington Profilit channel glass soars up to 23 feet, can be installed vertically or horizontally, and formed into straight or curved walls. It is available in a variety of textures and colors with varying degrees of translucency, allowing light through while maintaining privacy. Pilkington Profilit can be used in interior or exterior applications, with insulating LumiraĀ® aerogel for superior energy efficiency.
For more information on Pilkington Profilit channel glass, along with TGPās other specialty architectural glazing materials, visit www.tgpamerica.com.
Technical Glass Products
800.426.0279
800.451.9857 ā fax
sales@fireglass.com
www.fireglass.com
Related Stories
| Oct 4, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Nearly seamless highly insulated glass curtain-wall system introduced
Low insulation value reflects value of entire curtain-wall system.Ā
| Oct 3, 2011
Balance bunker and Phase III projects breaks ground at Mitsubishi Plant in Georgia
The facility, a modification of similar facilities used by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc. (MHI) in Japan, was designed by a joint design team of engineers and architects from The Austin Company of Cleveland, Ohio, MPSA and MHI.
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > Youāve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| Jul 22, 2011
Air barrier systems: Your guide to optimal performance
Expert advice on how to control wasteful air leakage in the building envelope.
| Jul 22, 2011
Five award-winning modular innovations
The Modular Building Institute's 2011 Awards of Distinction highlight fresh ideas in manufactured construction projects.
| Oct 13, 2010
Community college plans new campus building
Construction is moving along on Hudson County Community Collegeās North Hudson Campus Center in Union City, N.J. The seven-story, 92,000-sf building will be the first higher education facility in the city.
| Aug 11, 2010
Morphosis builds 'floating' house for Brad Pitt's Make It Right New Orleans foundation
Morphosis Architects, under the direction of renowned architect and UCLAĀ professor Thom Mayne, has completed the first floating house permitted in the U.S. for Brad Pittās Make It Right Foundation in New Orleans.The FLOAT House is a new model for flood-safe, affordable, and sustainable housing that is designed to float securely with rising water levels.