Studio Gang Selects Fire Rated Glass To Bring Vision and Safety in Landmark Project
The California College of the Arts (CCA), a beacon of art and technology, is Northern California’s leading art college. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s booming Design District, CCA embarked on an ambitious expansion project designed to create a vibrant indoor-outdoor environment for learning and making while strengthening collaboration, innovation and creative practices.
Founded in 1907, CCA has long been at the forefront of art and design education. However, the rapidly evolving creative industries, technological advancements, and growing emphasis on sustainability have driven the need for this transformative expansion—one that promises to redefine the future of creative education.
CCA selected Studio Gang, led by renowned architect Jeanne Gang, to bring its expansion vision to life. Their involvement goes beyond mere architectural design, embodying a philosophy that aligns seamlessly with CCA's mission to inspire the next generation of artists and designers. Over five years, CCA collaborated with Studio Gang to create a campus that serves as a model for sustainable construction and practice. The expansion successfully united the college’s 2,000 students, 600 faculty members, 250 staff members, and 34 academic programs in San Francisco.
The centerpiece of Studio Gang's design is the new 96,500 square-foot facility, which includes several innovative features:
- Mass timber construction, showcasing sustainable building practices
- Flexible studios and workshops that can adapt to evolving educational needs
- Indoor-outdoor learning spaces that blur the lines between nature and the built environment
- Energy-efficient systems and the use of recycled materials, aligning with CCA's sustainability goals
- Fire-rated glass in key areas to enhance safety and natural light
The incorporation of fire-rated glass in CCA’s expansion project has been a game-changer in terms of both safety and design aesthetics. Fire-rated glass provided critical fire protection without compromising the open and light-filled aesthetic of the campus. By incorporating SAFTI FIRST®’s fire-rated glazing solutions, CCA ensured that students and faculty could benefit from increased natural light, transparency, and connectivity while meeting critical life safety code requirements. This innovative use of fire-rated glass helped create a safe, modern, and inspiring learning environment that reflects the college’s commitment to both safety and design excellence.
Fire-rated glass was used in the exit stairwell of the 16,000+ sq. ft. rooftop garden. In egress areas, fire-rated glass is critical for providing necessary fire protection while maintaining visual connectivity and allowing natural light to penetrate deeper into the building. To meet code and design requirements SAFTI FIRST® provided SuperLite® II-XL 90 with Guardian SNX 62/27 in GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise Door and SuperLite® II-XL 120 with Guardian SNX 62/27 in GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive Framing for the transom. Because the vision area of the 90-minute door exceeded 100 sq. inches, fire resistive, ASTM E-119 rated SuperLite® II-XL 90 glazing was used. Since only the stairwell required a fire rating, it was important for the fire-rated glass, doors, and frames to match the non-rated system seamlessly.
Fire-rated glass was also incorporated into the Maker Yard, home to the studios and workshops, providing required fire ratings per the building code while preserving openness and connectivity. These outdoor workshops allow creative activities to extend beyond the studio, bringing in natural daylight, fresh air, and elevated views into the fabrication areas. This thoughtful design enhances student well-being and fosters a healthy, inspiring environment for art-making. SAFTI FIRST® provided 1-hour fire-rated walls using SuperLite® II-XL 60 with Guardian SNX 62/27 in GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive Wall Framing and 10 Ft. Tall GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise Doors – the tallest in the industry! By seamlessly integrating advanced fire-rated glass technology with the Maker Yard’s open and collaborative design, this solution created an environment where innovation could thrive without compromising on safety or performance.
All of the fire-rated glass, framing and doors used in this project were manufactured in SAFTI FIRST®’s manufacturing facilities in Merced, CA. As the only vertically-integrated, single-source, USA-manufacturer of advanced fire rated glass, frames, doors, walls and floors up to 2 hours, design teams can take advantage of SAFTI FIRST®’s fast lead times, competitive pricing and superior customer service.
While CCA leads in art and design education, SAFTI FIRST® has been at the forefront of fire-rated glass innovation for decades. The latest achievement—becoming the first and only fire-rated glass manufacturer in North America to receive IGCC certification. With SAFTI FIRST®’s IGCC-certified insulating glass units (IGUs), design teams now have more flexibility in specifying high-performance glass that meets both aesthetic and functional demands. Whether for energy efficiency, sound control, or fire safety, SAFTI FIRST®’s fire-rated glass products offer the versatility to support various design goals without compromise.
The California College of the Arts expansion project, brought to life through Studio Gang's visionary design and the strategic use of fire-rated glass, represents a significant leap forward in art and design education. By seamlessly blending sustainable architecture with innovative learning spaces and advanced safety features, SAFTI FIRST® is proud to be part of this transformative project in our local community.
Project Name: California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco, CA
Architect: Studio Gang
General Contractor: Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company
Contract Glazier: RankerAMG
Products Used: SuperLite® II-XL 60 and SuperLite® II-XL 90 with Guardian SNX 62/27 in GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise Door; SuperLite® II-XL 120 with Guardian SNX 62/27 in GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive Wall Framing
