Photos: SAFTI FIRST
Â
Â
Project: Ridgewood High School
Location: Norridge, Ill.
Architect: DLA Architects
Glazier: Lake Shore Glass
Products: SuperLite II-XL 60 and SuperLite II-XL 60 Satin Etch in GPX FramingÂ
Â
Ridgewood High School in Norridge, Ill., is a school that boasts fantastic facilities within a modest footprint. A short 10-minute drive from Chicago O’Hare airport, Ridgewood High is a good example of how urban schools must utilize space economically to create the largest possible and most effective learning, performance and sporting environments.Â
For a recent renovation of a stairwell and its connecting exit corridors, Ridgewood looked to DLA Architects for help with their daylighting and fire protection needs.Â
In order to meet the code requirements and maximize the daylight penetrating into the building, the architects decided to use fire rated glass in the one-hour exit corridor. Because the glazing exceeds 25% of the wall area, fire resistive glass and framing assemblies rated equal to the wall had to be used.Â
The design team specified SuperLite II-XL 60 in GPX Framing to create transparent wall systems that feature superior optical clarity from the glass and clean, storefront-like appearance from the framing, while providing safe egress to occupants and visual access for fire fighters in the event of a fire. As Ridgewood lies under the approach path into O’Hare airport, the high STC ratings provided by SuperLite II-XL 60 proved to be an added benefit. Â
Â
Â
Ridgewood High School had other design requirements that SAFTI FIRST was able to meet. Part of the renovation included a private office for security personnel, and Ridgewood wanted increased privacy for this location while maintaining the natural daylighting aspects and maximum fire protection featured throughout the school.Â
To meet these requirements, SAFTI FIRST supplied SuperLite II-XL 60 with a Satin Etch. SuperLite II-XL can be easily customized to include various decorative make-ups as well as added protection against forced entry, bullets, blast and hurricane, and UV. As seen in the accompanying project photo, the security office at Ridgewood also features a segmented application of the GPX Framing.Â
Typical of school renovations, this phase of Ridgewood’s renovation had to be completed while students were on vacation. SAFTI FIRST “was very assistive in the design, schedule and shipping to keep this tight summer project on schedule,” says Greg Crider of Lake Shore Glass, the company hired to install the fire rated system. Â
The finish used on the GPX Framing cohesively ties together other black accents in the flooring, skirting, and other areas that create a thematic look throughout the interiors of various buildings at Ridgewood High School. The final result is a renovation that improves the safety and security of all building occupants, providing enhanced privacy where required while also maximizing overall daylight. Â
Related Stories
| Feb 14, 2014
Scrap tires used to boost masonry blocks at Missouri University of S&T
Research could lead to blocks that use waste material and have seismic and insulating benefits.
| Feb 14, 2014
Giant interactive pinwheel adds fun to museum exterior
The proposed design for the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History features a 10-foot pinwheel that can be activated by passersby.
| Feb 14, 2014
First look: Kentucky's Rupp Arena to get re-clad as part of $310M makeover
Rupp Arena will get a 40-foot high glass façade and a new concourse, but will retain many of its iconic design elements.
| Feb 14, 2014
Must see: Developer stacks shipping containers atop grain silos to create student housing tower
Mill Junction will house up to 370 students and is supported by 50-year-old grain silos.
| Feb 14, 2014
The Technology Report 2014: Top tech tools and trends for AEC professionals
In this special five-part report, Building Design+Construction explores how Building Teams throughout the world are utilizing advanced robotics, 3D printers, drones, data-driven design, and breakthroughs in building information modeling to gain efficiencies and create better buildings.Â
| Feb 14, 2014
Crowdsourced Placemaking: How people will help shape architecture
The rise of mobile devices and social media, coupled with the use of advanced survey tools and interactive mapping apps, has created a powerful conduit through which Building Teams can capture real-time data on the public. For the first time, the masses can have a real say in how the built environment around them is formed—that is, if Building Teams are willing to listen.
| Feb 13, 2014
University officials sound off on net zero energy buildings
As part of its ongoing ZNE buildings research project, Sasaki Associates, in collaboration with Buro Happold, surveyed some 500 campus designers and representatives on the top challenges and opportunities for achieving net-zero energy performance on university and college campuses.Â
| Feb 13, 2014
3 keys to designing freestanding emergency departments
Having physically disassociated from a central hospital, FEDs must overcome the particular challenges associated with a satellite location, namely a lack of awareness, appeal, and credibility. Gresham, Smith & Partners' Kristin Herman-Druc offers three keys to success.Â
| Feb 13, 2014
Why you should start with a builder
They say the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Expanding your building or constructing a new structure for your business, church, or school isn’t all that different. Attacking it is best done in small, deliberate pieces.Â
| Feb 13, 2014
Related Companies, LargaVista partner to develop mixed-use tower in SoHo
The site is located at the gateway to the booming SoHo retail market, where Class A office space is scarce yet highly in demand.