DUKE UNIVERSITY BRODHEAD CENTER

Core Market - Higher Education

Owner - Duke University

Architect - Grimshaw

One of the most recent keystone architectural showcases on the campus of Duke University was completed in partnership with some of the premier entities in the commercial building industry. We were invited to partner with The Roschmann Group and collaborate with the entire project team early in the estimating and design process. Our team provided input on curtain wall and roof structure load paths, feasibility and constructability, as well as cost control for some of the most technically sophisticated façade elements in the Mid Atlantic market. With a tight construction schedule and complex scope, we created a JV operating structure to mitigate risk by ensuring adequate skilled personnel and resources could be devoted to the project. In partnership with Brinn Glass and Mirror, BEES-Brinn was responsible for the installation of steel support structures, horizontal glass fin walls, custom glass roof structures, interior and exterior bridges, interior stairs, ornamental wood louvers, custom entry doors, as well as the decorative terracotta cladding.

DUKE UNIVERSITY
GRAINGER HALL NICHOLAS SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT

Core Market - Higher Education

Owner - Duke University

Architect - Payette

CM - Lend Lease

In partnership with Harris Wall Systems, we participated in the procurement, design, and erection of the Oldcastle BE Signature Unitized Curtain wall. The system incorporates vertical and horizontal aluminum sunshade elements. Operable vents integrated into the Building Automation system allow for fresh air into the five-story project on temperate days. These systems resulted in the project being recognized by ENR and was the first LEED Platinum project on the University’s campus. We also installed the interior storefront, heavy glass walls, and entrances throughout the project. The design and project delivery teams excelled on this first class project.

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
PLANT SCIENCES

Core Market - Higher Education

Owner - NC State University

Architect - Flad Architects

CM - DPR Construction

The 184,000 square feet, five-story building provides a space for academic, government, and industry researchers to collaborate and develop solutions for many of the challenges facing the agricultural community today. The design represents cutting edge strategies to meet the complex needs of the university and has received a Campaign Award from the US Department of Energy Building Envelope Campaign for incorporating Building Envelope systems that will account for improvements of 20% more than current code requirements in terms of envelope performance.

Our Team, in partnership with Graham-Hodge Associates, provided preconstruction services including skin team coordination, schedule development, and design detail coordination required to integrate the Kawneer 1600UT curtain wall with the integral brise soleil shading elements. Our team successfully procured, fabricated, and installed over 40,000 square feet of exterior curtain wall with high-performance Guardian Glass and architectural louver infills. The integration of the custom aluminum brise soleil shading elements fabricated by our partners at Architectural Grills and Sunshades was nearly seamless.

In partnership with the local Building Enclosure Council, we teamed up with Project Architect - Andrew Cherry and Ryan Wilborne - WJE, to prepare a case study on:

Ensuring Curtain Wall Quality in Design, Fabrication, and Installation

Link To Presentation

PSB - A good shot of envelope in progress.jpg

NC A&T UNIVERSITY
ERIC BUILDING

Core Market - Higher Education

Owner - NC A&T State University

Architect - EYP Architects

CM - Balfour Beatty US

The state-of-the-art four-story, 130,000 gross square feet Engineering, Research, and Innovation Center provides a interdisciplinary and multi-functional facility for academics, research, and community engagement for the College of Engineering. The design incorporates GREEN building components with a focus on energy savings through the use of high performance facade and solar control elements. The facility programing provides high bay manufacturing and research space, as well as lab space for cyber security, systems engineering, and wet/dry research. In addition an array of seminar rooms, classrooms, office, and conference spaces are strategically placed within the facility.

Our Team, in partnership with Charlotte Glass Contractors , provided preconstruction services including skin team coordination, schedule development, and design coordination required to integrate the Kawneer 1600 curtain wall with the integral horizontal and vertical shading elements.

Balfour Beatty and EYP Architecture opened the lines of communication and collaboration. Multiple sequence, and design meetings were held to develop the critical transition details required to ensure the performance and aesthetic criteria were honored. This collaborative approach also carved out the baseline work-plans and sequence requirements with other trade partners to ensure that the projects overall budget and schedule requirements were maintained throughout the fabrication and construction processes.

Due to the complex geometries of the exterior skin, our team as-built the structure and incorporated survey data into the shop and fabrication drawings to ensure a quality fit and finish. This process paved the way for our group to successfully procure, fabricate, and install over 40,000 square feet of exterior curtain wall with high-performance glazing fabricated by Press Glass , as well as integrate the custom aluminum and ACM shading elements fabricated by Clover Architectural.

DUKE UNIVERSITY
BRYAN CENTER RENOVATION

Core Market - Higher Education

Owner - DUKE UNIVERSITY

Architect - REID Architecture / James Carpenter Design Associates

CM - Romeo Guest

As part of the revitalization initiative for Duke University's West Campus, Duke selected James Carpenter and Reid Freeman under the umbrella of Architecture Operations to revamp the entry to the Hub of Student Affairs. The design centers on day-lighting, transparency, color in motion, and reflectivity. The entry portal is constructed of layers of AESS steel, monolithic glazing, custom stainless panels, and back lit acid etched glass to create an inviting and dynamic experience. Portions of the existing exterior and interior stone walls were clad with glazed terracotta panels maintaining the presence of natural materials, while adding a modernized texture to generate unity with the new structures on the West Campus.

Our Team, in partnership with Romeo Guest Construction and The Roschmann Group, played a vital role in transforming the vision from concept to reality. The University's needs for construction to be complete over summer break lead to the idea of fabricating and assembling the steel portals off-site (In Germany), then disassembling and shipping to the University for a just in time delivery. By working closely with the Design Team, University, and Romeo Guest we were able to obtain survey information to be incorporated in the design, shop, and fabrication drawings to ensure adequate tolerances were built-in, allowing all elements to be procured and fabricated ahead of the construction process. While Roschmann led the charge in design, procurement, and fabrication of the entry volume, our team partnered with Shildan Group to design and procure the Terracotta cladding. In addition, we partnered with Harris Wall Systems, and Ellison Bronze to design and fabricate the custom stainless balance doors. Our field team was responsible for the field coordination and erection of all cladding, steel, glazing, and entry elements. By working closely with the project team we were able to maintain the University's ambitious schedule, while also meeting their quality and budget expectations.

Photographs Courtesy of Reid Freeman and Eddie Barnes.