The unique form of Eric Owen Moss Architects’ (W)rapper building is prepared to weather extreme seismic events and opinions.
LEED Evolved: v5 is Here
a closer look at how this latest iteration significantly moves sustainable design forward.
Lyra PB wood-look panels in Bourbon Cherry → Harbor Bank of Maryland - Baltimore, MD → GVA Architects - Columbia, MD
Looking for a budget-friendly ceiling with the natural beauty of wood? Lyra® PB wood-look ceilings are a great option with superior sound absorption. They’re part of the Sustain® portfolio – meeting the most stringent industry sustainability compliance standards today. Order a sample now at armstrongceilings.com/lyrawoodlook
restroom designs
The Finishing Touch for
Add a level of sophistication to your next design with the unmatched style of the KB310 and KB311 Baby Changing Stations from Koala Kare. Offered in stainless steel or matte black finishes in ADA compliant horizontal and vertical mounts.
Discover more at koalabear.com
DESIGN WITHOUT LIMITS.
As a Master Distributor, Hanover® is thrilled to announce the arrival of Optimum Surfaces Porcelain Slabs, the largest porcelain slabs on the market. Measuring an impressive 72.5” x 130”, these extra-large slabs offer design without limits — creating limitless design possibilities for a wide range of surfaces, from kitchens and bathrooms to wall coverings, tables, and outdoor spaces.
Calacatta Gold Gold Laurent
—Randy Pease, AIA,
Horizontal Flow
“ The HWP metal wall system over a deep furring system created an efficient, insulated wrapper for the existing masonry building. The ribbed metal wall panels were used to create texture and shadow for the façade while subtly reinforcing the horizontality of the building. ”
Integrated Architecture, principal, director of design
Architectural Products Magazine, Volume 23, Number 02
Architectural Products USPS Permit 22941, ISSN 1557-4830 print is published
bi-monthly, Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec, by
Endeavor Business Media, LLC. 201 N Main St 5th Floor, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI, and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
Architectural Products, PO Box 3257, Northbrook, IL 60065-3257.
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscriptions.
Subscription prices: U.S.: $73.75 per year; Canada/Mexico: $117.50; All other countries: $117.50 per year. All subscriptions are payable in U.S. funds. Send subscription inquiries:
Architectural Products, PO Box 3257, Northbrook, IL 60065-3257. Customer service can be reached toll-free: 877-382-9187 or at ARP@omeda.com for magazine subscription assistance or questions.
An exercise in imagination and innovation, this design by Eric Owen Moss Architects (EOMA) pushes boundaries in form, resiliency, and future proofing. by Jana J. Madsen Feature // Designing Safer Schools with CPTED Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) proposes that design can reduce the fear of crime, the occurrence of crime, and improve the quality of life for students and faculty in the school. by Jana J. Madsen
By Barbara Horwitz-Bennett
Radewych, Principal, WZMH Architects The firm’s in-house research and development lab Sparkbird has been busy creating, testing and commercializing design and construction innovations since 2017. by Barbara Horwitz-Bennett
Product Publication of the U.S. Architectural Market
The Power of a Plan
As we careen into Q2 2025, planning emerges as the guardrail and the guide that allows conversation-staring buildings and safe schools to be built and continues to push the sustainable design movement forward.
There are lots of famous quotes about plans. Ben Franklin is credited with saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” The inimitable Yogi Berra coined, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Yes, it seems the world can agree, there is power in a plan.
The hot topic building of the moment—(W)rapper— by Eric Owen Moss Architects existed in some suspended stage of planning for decades before it became a physical steel-wrapped member of the built environment. Its fever dream form masks an incredible ingenuity that may keep this building in the Los Angeles cityscape for the next 2,000+ years. Regardless of the wide and varied opinions on its aesthetic, the building is designed to withstand earthquakes, while allowing flexibility in the layout of the floorplate to meet the evolving needs of the way work is done. Step into (W)rapper on page 44 and find out what everyone is talking about.
“The building [(W)rapper] will be up for 2,500 years—at least if you believe the people who are doing the computations.”
—Eric Owen Moss, Architect, EOMA
Improving safety in schools has long been a high priority. Where metal detectors, locked doors, onsite security guards, and security cameras have helped these spaces improve security to an extent, it often comes at a cost—people can feel less safe and more on-edge in spaces where security is so front and center. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) posits that design can reduce the fear of crime, the occurrence of crime, and improve the quality of life for students and faculty in the school. Explore how concepts of natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, natural access control, and maintenance simultaneously improve safety and make people feel more secure on page 26.
LEED was formally launched as a green building rating system in 2000. Now, 25 years later, LEED v5 is bringing a substantial shift to the sustainable design dialogue—becoming even more carbon conscious and expanding its focus on human health and well-being.
Get insight into several of the specific changes made on page 18. The standard of today takes a solid step towards achieving the LEED mantra made public those many years ago—building design that is good for people and good for the environment will be good for the business conducted within the building as well. Sounds like a plan.
Happy reading.
—Jeanie Fitzgerald Pitts, Editor in Chief
EDITORIAL, DESIGN + PRODUCTION
Jeanette Fitzgerald Pitts Editor in Chief jfitzgerald@endeavorb2b.com
Robert Nieminen Chief Content Director rnieminen@endeavorb2b.com
Contributing Editors
Barbara Horwitz-Bennett
Jana Madsen
Janelle Penny
Jeff Pitts
Heather Ronaldson
Katy Tomasulo
Lauren Lenkowski Art Director llenkowski@endeavorb2b.com
Greg Araujo Senior Production Operations Manager garaujo@endeavorb2b.com
Jennifer George Ad Service Manager jgeorge@endeavorb2b.com
CIRCULATION MANAGEMENT
Emily Martin Senior Audience Development Manager emartin@endeavorb2b.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Chris Perrino VP/Market Leader –404-502-1933 Buildings & Construction cperrino@endeavorb2b.com
Tim Shea Brand Director/East 708-860-5684 tshea@endeavorb2b.com
Ellyn Fishman West 949-239-6030 efishman@endeavorb2b.com
Paul Hagen Midwest 319-360-1306 phagen@endeavorb2b.com
Tim Kedzuch West/Southwest/Canada 630-728-9204 tkedzuch@endeavorb2b.com
ENDEAVOR BUSINESS MEDIA, LLC
Chris Ferrell CEO
Patrick Rains COO
Paul Andrews CRO
Jacquie Niemiec CDO
Tracy Kane CALO
Amanda Landsaw CMO
Mike Christian EVP—Building, Energy + Water Group
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS
For editorial submissions, email Jeanette Fitzgerald Pitts: jfitzgerald@endeavorb2b.com
For subscriptions, visit: arch-products.com/subscribe For article reprints, email: reprints@endeavorb2b.com
Fox Hills Elementary School Entrance, Watford City, ND 26
PRIVASEE™ —CONTROL SOUND
PrivaSEE is an all-glass operable wall that provides flexible space management and acoustical control.
BENEFITS INCLUDE
•Only Unit STC 36 rated operable all glass system.
•Unit heights up to 10’ 6” (3200 mm) are possible.
•All glass system with no floor track.
events resources
LEDUcation Virtual Sessions: March 13-14
In Person: March 18-19
New York Hilton Midtown, New York City leducation.org
The Architecture + Design Master Continuing Education Platform offers a wide range of AIAapproved courses covering the topics that professionals care about most. Here is a small sample of the courses currently available.
Decarbonization 101 (1 LU/HSW)
Exploring Design Trends for K-12 Applications (1 LU/HSW)
Flexible Offices: Key to Retaining Talent and Optimizing Space for a New Work Era (1 LU) Lessons in Renovation and Adaptive Reuse (1 LU/HSW)
Telehealth to Metaverse: The Bold Future of Healthcare Design (1 LU/HSW) archdesignmaster.com
NEW BOOK Stone
By William Hall
Coverings April 29-May 2 Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida coverings.com
Lightfair May 4-8
Las Vegas Convention Center lightfair.com
HD Expo + Conference May 6-8
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas hdexpo.hospitalitydesign.com
Stone is a fascinating, fresh, and insightful global tour of the world’s oldest and most beautiful building material. Featuring more than 170 structures, from prehistory through to today, the book includes an incredible range of buildings: awe-inspiring Neolithic monuments and the epic Pyramids of Giza feature alongside the work of twentieth-century icons, from Mies van der Rohe’s seminal Barcelona Pavilion to Marcel Breuer’s daring Met building in New York.
AIA Expo Boston, June 4–7 Expo: June 5–6 conferenceonarchitecture.com
NeoCon June 9-11
THE MART Chicago neocon.com
BOMA International Annual Conference & Expo June 28-July 1 Boston Convention & Exposition Center Boston, MAExpo Produced by BOMA International and BUILDINGS.com bomaconvention.org
There are also projects by the world’s best contemporary architects, from Snøhetta’s angular Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo to Kengo Kuma’s sculptural Chokkura Plaza in Japan and David Chipperfield’s geometric Museo Jumex in Mexico City.
Hardcover
2025 Trends in Restroom Partitions
In 2025, research from manufacturer Bradley Corp., revealed that 72% of people think that toilet stalls don’t provide sufficient privacy and 53% believe that eliminating gaps around stall doors, or where the stall walls meet, would help improve the sense of privacy. Now public bathroom stalls are getting private in a way they never have before. Say goodbye to less-than-discreet partitions and hello to full-on cubicles. Toilet use is starting to feel like the solo experience it should have always been.
Thanks to European-style partitions, restroom occupants are no longer inadvertent participants in a game of peek-a-boo. “Current trends in restroom partitions prioritize enhanced privacy through fullheight and zero-sightline designs,” says Mark Schiller, VP Sales and Marketing, ASI Group.
72% of people think that toilet stalls don’t provide sufficient privacy and 53% believe that eliminating gaps around stall doors or where the stall walls meet would help improve the sense of privacy.
New solutions have eliminated the need to check ,for feet to determine if a stall is occupied. “Another emerging feature is the integration of occupancy indicators. More and more manufacturers are including indicator latches that clearly show whether a stall is in use or available. It’s a simple, intuitive upgrade that improves user experience and helps avoid awkward encounters,” explains Dan Frame, Vice President, Toilet Partitions and Cubicles, Bobrick.
While high-gloss industrial metal dividers may have ruled the restroom for decades, today’s toilet partition systems offer real style. “Beyond functionality, customization and aesthetic appeal are increasingly important, with a wider variety of materials and designs now available,” adds Schiller. Your restroom can finally match the rest of your interior design.
“These trends are motivated by a greater emphasis on hygiene and privacy, environmental consciousness, and evolving social norms, all ultimately driven by the goal of designing more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly public restrooms that better address the diverse needs and expectations of all individuals,” concludes Schiller.
Restroom Redesign at PENN 2, New York City
The 1.75 million square foot restoration and expansion of PENN 2 in New York City is more than just a mixed-use project, it’s a total investment in the neighborhood, improving street and sidewalk experience, introducing public green space, and organizing the many uses present on the site.
The new office space within the addition boasts two double-height, column-free floor plates spanning 430-ft. long × 75-ft. wide × 25-ft. high, offering rare and invaluable tenancy in New York. The new triple height lobby clarifies circulation and mitigates conflict with public activities at the street level. Visible within are a public café, tenant lounge and terrace. Additional amenities include a 280-person town hall and pre-function space, as well as new outdoor space, featuring recessed terraces at every other floor and a 17,000 square foot roof park supported by a multi-functional roof pavilion.
ASI partitions and accessories were used throughout the building as part of a full core restroom redesign. Men’s and women’s restrooms were upgraded on all 32 floors, and gender-neutral restrooms were added throughout. ASI provided 2,000 Black Alpaco Classic partitions and stainless-steel accessories including toilet paper and paper towel dispensers and grab bars.
“As part of a comprehensive upgrade to the building, the restrooms were designed with premium finishes to provide a hospitalityforward experience for office tenants. The design team was in search of the highest quality products that could be economically applied to all floors of the building.” Daniella Petrusev, Senior Director, MdeAS Architects.
ASI, Black Alpaco Classic asi-accuratepartitions.com
The restrooms in PENN 2 were designed with premium finishes to provide a hospitality-forward experience for the mixeduse building.
CASE STUDY
SMART WASHROOM CUBICLE
Thrislington’s Smart system, available across their full range of washroom cubicles, provides real-time occupancy data. The integrated Smart LED provides users with an immediate indication of occupancy. The data collected allows staff to dynamically replenish toilet tissues and other consumables based on traffic patterns. Real-time cubicle occupancy information also enables users to avoid crowded washrooms. The screen situated outside each washroom shows not only the cubicle availability for that washroom, but also others nearby, thereby providing users with a choice of which to use.
Thrislington, Smart Cubicle System thrislingtoncubicles.com
The integrated Smart LED is normally situated at a high level, to provide users with an immediate indication of occupancy, which is critical in high-traffic areas.
“Occupancy indicators improve user experience and helps avoid awkward encounters.”
—Dan
Frame, VP, Toilet Partitions & Cubicles, Bobrick
DURABLE ALUMINUM FRAMING
Evolve cubicles provide European style without compromising project budgets. Its fully anodized aluminum framing system provides durability and privacy. Evolve provides an 82-in. height with 72-in. panels and doors that have a nine-inch floor clearance. With a floor-anchored, overhead-braced installation, Evolve provides soft-close spring-loaded closing (the mechanism is incorporated into the pivot foot). Evolve Max offers greater height (82 5/16 in.) and much smaller floor clearance (1 in.). Its soft-close mechanism is incorporated into the headrail. Both come in an array of colors.
Bobrick, Evolve and Evolve Max Cubicles bobrick.com
CASE STUDY
Restroom Renovation at The Battery Atlanta
The Battery Atlanta is a bustling and unprecedented entertainment experience situated alongside Truist Park—a haven for baseball fans. The design team was tasked with transforming a parking manager’s office and two unisex restrooms into a pair of high-capacity men’s and women’s bathrooms.
After considering other partition models, the design team decided that Bradley’s Euro Style Partition model—Float series—provided the perfect balance of appearance, durability and cost.
“Float adds a sleek vibe to the aesthetic while providing privacy with virtually no sight line,” said Wes Taylor, RA, Owner and Principal, Taylor Design Studio. “Mortised hardware was a big selling point to withstand heavy use and traffic in these types of spaces.”
Senior operations manager for The Battery, Matt Wolfenbarger, added “Float partitions are by far the most durable, well-functioning partitions we have on-site. I’d love to transition to all of these in the future. They are designed for extremely large and heavy crowds.” While Euro Style Partitions provide a minimalist design with flush surface construction, its robust and durable material—Phenolic LT—is lightweight, easy to install and clean. With the feet and headrail hidden from sight, Float creates the impression that the partitions are floating on air.
Bradley, Euro Style Partition model—Float series bradleycorp.com
The Float series, from Bradley, provided the perfect balance of appearance, durability, and cost.
PANELED DOORS
Say goodbye to large sight lines, boring flat doors/ panels, and large gaps. Aria floor-to-ceiling toilet partitions provide increased privacy and innovative features like overlapping edges, continuous edge mounted hinges, and floor-mounted side panels. The shoeless system gives you enhanced aesthetics, clean lines, and ease of maintenance due to fewer cracks and crevices for dirt to collect. Aria is made of HDPE to minimize maintenance and bacteria growth and offered in seven panel designs with 17 door designs and 27 colors and textures.
Scranton Products, Aria scrantonproducts.com
New Solutions for Enhanced Life Safety
Containing smoke, creating safe places to shelter, and withstanding whipping winds and debris impact, these are just a few of the objectives that are top-ofmind for architects designing buildings to face the ever-more-common extreme weather events.
Here are some of the products offering specialized solutions for these specific concerns and creating new benchmarks in safety and design. Find improved access options with fire-rated floor doors. Equip storm shelters with tornado doors that contain glass lites—providing protection and visibility. Choose storm-ready louvers for storm-prone areas and fail-safe gravity systems for reliable and codecompliant smoke containment.
Take a closer look at the products making it easier to make sure people stay safe.
FIRE + SMOKE-RATED CURTAIN
The Smoke Guard Model 4000 Perimeter (M4000) is a code-compliant fire + smoke-rated textile curtain assembly which functions as a vertically-deploying barrier to prevent transmission of smoke and flames, or to provide a reservoir for smoke on the upper floors of an atrium or other open space. This perimeter curtain can be an effective complement to existing mechanical smoke and fire containment systems or additional fire curtains. The M4000 features a pleated, fire + smoke-rated textile curtain stored in a steel housing, typically installed above a finished ceiling, and deployed by an alarm signal from the local smoke detector or from a fire control panel.
Fire-rated floor doors improve safety when you need access between building floors. These fire-rated floor doors maintain the fire rating of a 2-hour floor/ceiling assembly. With options and features like automatic closing systems and intumescent fire resistant coating, BILCO fire-rated floor doors also have a pan cover designed to accept architectural flooring materials for concealed access. Type FR doors are available in a number of UL-Listed standard sizes.
Bilco, Type FR-Fire Rated Floor Door bilco.com
TORNADO DOORS WITH GLASS LITES
Paladin PW Series flush doors and frames are taking the industry by storm by providing critical visibility to classroom and safe room designs. It’s the only tornado door with a fire-rated tornado glass lite available in the market. The PW14 Paladin Door System is designed and tested to withstand extreme effects of wind and flying debris. It is ideal for commercial applications in tornado alley, residential shelters, and school gymnasiums constructed as tornado shelters in K12 and university facilities. Paladin Door Systems have been assembly tested and certified with Allegion hardware. They are labeled from the factory showing compliance with ICC 500-2020, FEMA P-320 (2021), and FEMA P-361 (2021) as required by the International Building Code.
Steelcraft, Paladin PW Series Flush Doors steelcraft.com
EXTREME WEATHER LOUVERS
The DCPL-3704 Perform Louver sets a new benchmark in safety and design. This fully concealed louver system is the first-of-its-kind to achieve Dade County Certification, having passed the most stringent Testing Application Standards for impact and wind resistance. Perfect for buildings in storm-prone areas, it promises unmatched protection, durability and design aesthetics.
Construction Specialties, PL-3704 Perform c-sgroup.com
INSTANT RESULTS. ANYTIME,
and floor plans, elevations, and sections as your models develop, creating
Instantly visualize or analyze a variety of parallel chord joists, joist girders, and deck profiles on the fly Vulcraft’s BIM tools automatically update roof and floor plans, elevations, and sections as your models develop, accurate and precise modeling while handling routine and repetitive tasks. Our BIM tools allow you to make the smartest choices for your projects no matter where you are – at home, the office, or on the job site
LEEDv5 SS credit: Light-Pollution and Bird-Collision-Reduction (1 point)
To increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility, and reduce the consequences of development for wildlife and people, projects must meet uplight, light trespass, and internally illuminated exterior signage requirements for exterior luminaires located inside the project boundary.
BIRD SMART CHANNEL GLASS
Just in time for LEED’s new Light-Pollution and Bird-Collision-Reduction credit, Bendheim’s entire channel glass line is now certified as Bird-Smart. An aesthetic, high-performance alternative to traditional opaque building walls and flat architectural glass, the product collection offers various surface textures, hundreds of colors, thermal performance coatings, insulation inserts and frame systems. The channel glass façade systems diffuse light, minimize glare and deliver thermal performance with U-value values of between 0.49 to 0.19.
Bendheim bendheim.com
Prise D’Eau du Canal de L’Aqueduc, Water Intake, Montreal, Canada by Smith Vigeant Architectes.
Photos by David Boyer
LEED Evolved: v5 is Here
Stricter sustainability requirements and an increased focus on decarbonization, resiliency, and equity headline the newest LEED v5.
By Barbara Horwitz-Bennett, contributing writer
LEED v5 places a significant focus on decarbonization through embodied and operational carbon emission reductions.
“The future of green building is here, and it’s more carbon-conscious than ever,” states Kai Starn, a senior sustainability consultant, with Steven Winter Associates, Norwalk, Conn. “LEED v5 represents a significant evolution in sustainable design standards. The changes are substantial and aim to raise the bar considerably in several key areas.”
Representing a shift in the weighing of credits, 50% of the updated rating system is now focused on decarbonization-related credits and prerequisites, with 25% dedicated to quality of life—health, equity, wellbeing—and 25% on ecological protection and restoration, i.e., biodiversity.
The number of prerequisites increased from 12 in v4 to 16, adding prerequisites for Climate Resilience Assessment, Human Impact Assessment and
Carbon Assessment. The referenced technical standards were updated to reference the latest ASHRAE 62.1—2022 for ventilation and filtration and ASHRAE 90.1—2019 or 2022 for energy efficiency.
“While transparency documents such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) will continue to be awarded, there is a new emphasis on products that meet multiple attributes,” reports former Materials and Resources TAG Chair Allison Smith, rid, iida, Assoc. aia, well ap, leed ap id+c, Sustainable Design Leader, Vice President, HKS, Dallas.
Sarah Gudeman, project lead with the building consultancy BranchPattern, Kansas City, and chair of LEED’s IEQ TAG, explains that her v5 group really looked into how people experience buildings with
regards to mental and physical health, bringing in some concepts from other systems such as the WELL Building Standard.
“One big change is the introduction of new requirements for LEED Platinum certification,” explains Nicholas C. Smith, leed ap bd+c, Green Synergies, Germantown, Md. “Previously, a project needed to meet all prerequisites and earn 80 or more points out of 110. Now projects must also earn part of the credits for Electrification, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Reduce Embodied Carbon, which all target decarbonization directly or indirectly. These four credits essentially become new prerequisites for Platinum certification.”
Courtesy of Steven Winter Associates
Materials and Resources
Unpacking some of the details in the most impacted categories, the Materials and Resources credit Reduce Embodied Carbon rewards the reduction of global warming potential in major structure, enclosure and hardscape materials with a maximum of 6 points.
“This is substantial and might require a rethink when it comes to carbon intensive materials,” reports LEED Steering Committee Chair Anica Landreneau, Assoc. aia, leed ap bd+c, well ap, director of sustainable design, HOK, Washington, D.C.
“These credits are structured around materials categories and building systems, including paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, flooring, walls, ceilings, insulation, furniture, composite wood and plumbing fixtures,” adds Allison Smith.
Products and materials likely to receive more attention are low-carbon concrete, mass timber, engineered wood, bio-based insulation materials, low-carbon steel, alternative refrigerants, and recycled and salvaged materials.
There’s also a new prerequisite to assess and quantify embodied carbon.
“This allows the structural engineer to have a more intentional role in the sustainability discussion as it relates to the building structure,” explains Allison Smith. “Although some teams will benefit from having someone who can perform a whole building life-cycle assessment (WBLCA) using specialized software, that is not required for the prerequisite for the credit.”
Low-carbon concrete, mass timber, and bio-based insulation products are likely to receive more attention now.
Smith is also happy to see Building and Materials Reuse decoupled from WBLCA and reuse removed from the multi-attribute Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credit as this will incentivize projects to pursue both strategies to earn points.
Another update: v5 no longer references VOC content limits, shifting its focus to product emissions, which has been determined to be a better measure of potential impact on occupant health. Also, the biophilic and inclusive design pilot credits have been upgraded into the core rating
“This will require assembling an interdisciplinary team and the use of a design charette early in the design process. The idea is to define sustainable goals early and incorporate them into the project’s DNA, rather than as later add-ons,” explains Nicholas Smith.
LOW EMBODIED CARBON CEILING PANELS
Reducing embodied carbon content by 43% by replacing traditional materials with sustainably sourced, woodgenerated biochar, Armstrong offers mineral-fiber acoustical Ultima Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) ceiling panels. The durable, impact- and scratch-resistant surface is made from 54% recycled content and can be recycled through the Armstrong Ceilings Recycling Program at the end of their useful life. The product is also available with an AIRGUARD coating, which actively removes formaldehyde from indoor air.
Armstrong World Industries armstrongceilings.com
A 20% reduction in embodied carbon is required for LEED Platinum projects. The intent of this credit is to track and reduce embodied carbon of major structural, enclosure, and hardscape materials from construction processes on new construction and retrofit projects.
PV WINDOWS
WOOD INSULATION
Combining softwood chips leftover from sustainably harvested, FSC-certified U.S. wood with borate to lend extra protection against fire, mold, and insects, TimberBatt offers thermal and acoustical batt insulation. Delivering an R-value of 4 per inch, the semi-rigid, high density cavity insulation can be installed to provide wind-tight performance in wood-frame assemblies. The product’s vapor open technology also manages indoor humidity.
TimberHP timberhp.com
NEXT Energy Technologies completed a successful pilot production line of 40-in. × 60-in. laminated transparent power-generating windows, making it the largest PV window in the market. NEXT’s OPV coating and manufacturing process is successfully addresses the pain point of delivering a scalable solution for the commercial glass industry that delivers aesthetics, performance and manufacturability. The product features a neutral grey coating and a smaller 27-in. × 35-in. OPV window is installed in NEXT’s Los Angeles office. The company is targeting super-large PV windows of 60-in. × 120-in.
This category picks up six additional credits and has been restructured to emphasize decarbonization. There’s a new Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan prerequisite authored to enable building stakeholders to visualize how their current design decisions will impact their project’s long-term operational carbon emissions and ensure stakeholders are planning for lowcarbon outcomes from the project’s inception.
“Highly efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems which minimize or eliminate fossil fuel use, as well as highly efficient building envelopes, will be necessary to cope with decarbonization and high efficiency standards,” says Landreneau.
The biggest ticket item is the Enhanced Energy Efficiency credit where projects can earn up to 10 points, but there are several other credit-heavy options in this category. Teams can earn up to 5 points for each of these credits: Electrification, Reduce Peak Thermal Loads, and Renewable Energy. Electrification focuses on reducing or eliminating onsite combustion. Reduce Peak Thermal Loads was designed to minimize demand on grid resources. Renewable Energy encourages the use of renewable energy. LEED Platinum projects require that 100% of site energy use be from Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 renewable energy types.
ALL-ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP
Supporting electrification, Greenheck’s all-electric, air-source heat pumps transfer heat energy from the airstream in dedicated outdoor air systems. The technology incorporates a redesigned single-circuit refrigeration system and improved control strategies that optimize heating capability at ambient conditions as low as 0°F. The upgraded system can operate for more days in more climates and pairs well with supplemental or backup heat sources and energy recovery to maximize comfort and efficiency.
Greenheck greenheck.com
Indoor Air Quality
In the revamped IAQ section, stricter controls for cleaner air, access to daylight and views, and an enhanced occupant experience take center stage.
The new credit Occupant Experience combines the old credits Quality Views, Thermal Comfort, Interior Lighting and Acoustic Performance, and adds options for biophilic design and an occupant-adaptable environment for a total of 7 points.
“LEED v5 adds the credit Resilient Spaces, which requires building systems to be able to operate under negative environmental conditions—such as wildfire smoke—and/or interior conditions—such as infectious disease—and/or to protect occupants from high heat during power outages,” explains Nicholas Smith.
Continuous monitoring is prioritized in LEED v5. For Building Operations and Maintenance for Existing Buildings, teams can earn 13 points for utilizing continuous monitoring to prove the IAQ limits are being met, complying with ASHRAE 62.1 standards, and installing MERV 13 filters.
LEED v5 EQ credit: Indoor Air Quality Performance
Incentivizes continuous indoor air quality monitoring and improvement.
For LEED v5 Building Operations and Maintenance, IAQ is given even more attention with 10 possible credits for identifying opportunities to enhance energy savings and promote comfort, well-being and productivity. Through strategies like continuous monitoring to prove the IAQ limits are being met, in addition to complying with ASHRAE 62.1 standards and installing MERV 13 filters, existing buildings can earn all 10 points.
CONTINUOUS MONITORING With LEED v5’s increased focus on indoor air quality, architects can get more bang for their buck by specifying continuous indoor air monitoring products like Kaiterra’s Sensedge. Through the Indoor Air Quality Performance credit, a total of 10 points can be earned. Proving Air Quality Thresholds through Continuous Monitoring qualifies for up to 6 points. Kaiterra’s products are RESET-Certified Grade B air quality monitors.
Kaiterra kaiterra.com
Low Carbon Building - 5 Key Principles
Other Changes
1 Reduce the amount of new structure and enclosure materials
2 Start early: set GWP targets with hotspot assessment
3 Assess material options below industry average kgCO2e
4 Start early: discuss goals with structural and construction team
5 Use whole building life cycle assessment to quantify emissions
Some strategies for reducing carbon and qualifying for points in LEED v5 include selecting low carbon materials for the building structure and enclosure, collaboration early in the design process, and using whole building life cycle assessments.
100% RECYCLED CONTENT
Rounding up the v5 updates, a new Compact and Connected Development credit offers a total of 6 points in Location and Transportation (LT) category, combining v4’s Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses with Access to Quality Transit, with some alterations, and adds the option Walkable Location, rewarding projects with a high Walk Score.
In the Water Efficiency (WE) category, the Enhanced Water Efficiency credit consolidates the previous Outdoor Water Use Reduction credit and Indoor Water Use Reduction credit, with some alterations.
As for the Sustainable Sites (SS) category, an Enhanced Resilient Site Design credit requires resilient design protection against two or more hazards. And a new Accessible Outdoor Space credit replaces v4’s Open Space credit. This area must be accessible to those with disabilities and serve as an urban or community outdoor space.
Emerging from 3form and LightArt’s focus on R&D, and raising the bar for sustainable materials, LightArt’s Coil Collection is one of the first in the lighting industry to use molecular recycling technology. This enables the production of the 3D-printed pendants to be executed with 100% recycled content. The collection’s second generation features six new pendant shapes, including cylindrical, hexagonal, and bottle-shaped designs.
LightArt lightart.com
ENERGY-EFFICIENT BIDET
The innovative tankless WAHLET S5 instantaneously heats water, but only the water needed, thereby saving 38% on energy consumption. The system features adjustable temperature and pressure settings, and a dualaction spray with oscillating and pulsating functions to enhance cleansing.
TOTO USA, WAHLET S5 totousa.com
UV CHARGER STATION MONITORING
Simplifying the process of monitoring vehicle charging status, AmpUp helps building owners and facility managers optimize EV charging station use of Networked Level 2 UV Chargers. With cellular 4G connectivity, this provides access control and remote monitoring of chargers. Users can also remotely authorize charger usage and monitor electric vehicle charging through the AmpUp EV Driver app.
Legrand legrand.us
Courtesy of Steven Winter Associates
Broader Impact
Overall, many professionals see v5 as successfully striking the balance between pushing the industry forward while keeping certification ac
“LEED v5 appears to be a significant step forward in sustainable design, reflecting evolving priorities in the field and pushing the industry to address critical environmental and social challenges more comprehensively,” says Starn.
AROMATIC WOOD
quite significant, most architects and green building consultants believe it is still within designers’ abilities to certify their projects to LEED v5, particularly Bronze and Silver. That said, it won’t necessarily be easy.
Traditionally difficult to procure locally, the aromatic and elegant Japanese hinoki wood is now available in North America thanks to Nakamoto Forestry. Ideal for paneling, ceilings, flooring, and cabinetry, the blond-colored moulder blanks are harvested from Cypress trees native to central and southern Japan. Nakamoto Forestry’s forest management techniques ensure linear trunk development, resulting in hinoki panels with straight, clear grain that is virtually absent of knots. The moulder blanks come roughsawn and dried, can be left unoiled or a standard finish, and can be applied to achieve a desired color.
Nakamoto Forestry nakamotoforestry.com
“These changes will likely necessitate additional training and education for many architects to become proficient in new tools, familiar with new products and systems, and comfortable with evolving design methodologies,” states Kai Starn, senior sustainability consultant, Steven Winter Associates, Norwalk, Conn. “However, this shift also presents an opportunity for architects to take a leading role in driving sustainable innovation in the built environment.”
To help architects navigate the new LEED v5 waters, Starn offers the following advice:
f Early-stage decision making: The increased focus on embodied carbon will require architects to make crucial decisions about materials and structural systems much earlier in the design process.
f Lifecycle thinking: Architects will need to adopt a more holistic lifecycle approach, considering not just the immediate performance of materials and systems, but their long-term environmental impact and potential for reuse or recycling.
f More intentional biophilic design integration.
e thought into accessibility and
f Resilience and adaptability: Addressing changing environmental conditions and potential future risks early in design may involve unfamiliar systems or design strategies.
f Advanced building systems: To meet more stringent energy and indoor environmental quality requirements, architects may need to familiarize themselves with more advanced building systems, such as smart building controls or innovative HVAC solutions.
f Material transparency: Architects will need to be more discerning in their material selections, potentially working more closely with manufacturers to obtain necessary documentation.
f Interdisciplinary collaboration will require architects to work more closely with engineers, sustainability consultants and other specialists from the earliest stages of design.
f Data-driven design: Data analysis tools and software, and the assistance of sustainability consultants may be required to inform design decisions, particularly for energy modeling and embodied carbon assessments.
f Health and well-being considerations: The increased focus on occupant health may require new design strategies and products that promote physical and mental well-being.
High-resolution scans of real wood.
Digitally printed on steel.
Over 25 unique patterns.
Made in the USA. Visit Tru-SteelHD.com or scan the QR code for more information.
Designing Safer S chools
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strengthens school safety by designing spaces for desired behaviors.
Natural access control: Identifying placement of doors and control points early in the design can allow schools to effectively compartmentalize their buildings. Access to classroom wings and non-public spaces can be restricted after school hours when buildings are traditionally used by the public. By utilizing electronic access control systems with these doors and control points, spaces can quickly be closed off during an active threat, buying time for students and staff to leave the building through safer exits.
Checkpoint 2 Personal interaction, badging
Screened access to school permitted
Main entrance door open access may be allowed after school hours
Visual monitoring of approach to school
Main entrance door access locked during school hours, traffic diverted through admin office
Checkpoint 1 Remote door locks controlled by visual access
In schools, a properly designed controlled entrance brings CPTED design strategies of natural surveillance and natural access control together. Strategic placement of glazing and building checkpoints increase the safety and security of students and staff.
The alarming number of U.S. school shootings (83 in 2024) has led to more metal detectors, more locked doors, and an increasing deployment of security cameras. Is this equipment the answer? Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) practitioners have other solutions to offer. CPTED (pronounced sep-ted) was a term introduced in 1971 by C. Ray Jeffery, a criminologist and professor at Florida State University. “Dr. Jeffery posited that thoughtful design and effective use of the built environment could reduce the fear of crime, the actual occurrence of crime and violence, and improve the quality of life for individuals in the environment,” explains the whitepaper Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: Enhancing the Security of Your K-12 School Using an All-Hazards Approach by the U.S. Department of Education’s REMS Technical Assistance Center.
This comprehensive approach wasn’t always about schools; in fact, it wasn’t even originally about architectural design. “Jeffery actually took some concepts from Jane Jacobs and ‘The Death and Life of Great American Cities,’ where she was talking about eyes on the street. Originally, most of CPTED was about neighborhood design, more so than it was about building design,” explains Whitney Lougheed, who recently earned the CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) credential in her role as a project architect for Minneapolis-based JLG Architects. Today, CPTED principles are being used in city planning and by architects, law enforcement, and other professionals aiming to reduce crime and violence in a variety of applications.
ANATOMY OF A SECURE ENTRY
JLG Architects
“Our philosophy is that the safest room is an empty room. And so our goal is to get folks out of the building. We can do that by compartmentalizing, providing secondary exits, and then letting students, staff, and administration leave the building away from the threat.”
Applied in school environments, CPTED puts the emphasis where it should be—on education. “It allows the flexibility to be able to do things we need to do for the client, where teaching and learning comes first. Safety and security, while important, are really an underlying supportive measure as to why we’re designing schools,” says Lougheed. She recommends applying CPTED principles on a scale, evaluating the everyday occurrences in schools first. “That’s the bullying, harassment, and assault. Then, as we build on the layers of safety and security, we move towards the active threat situation. In the middle of that, we’re dealing with what the building code requires—fire protection, storm shelters, and other critical aspects,” she explains.
As opposed to deploying highly visible security features, which often communicate risk and exacerbate fear, JLG Architects advocate for using CPTED to increase safety and security through design principles that are hidden in plain sight. According to Lougheed, “A lot of people believe CPTED is about physically stopping someone from doing something, rather than focusing on creating an environment where even if they could do something mischievous, they don’t want to—because of the ownership, their ability to be seen, and just an increased quality of life.” The goal is not simply to stop wrongdoing, it’s to prevent it altogether.
CPTED has three Ds—designation, definition, and design. While the bulk of what architects do is concerned with the last of these, the other two inform decisionmaking. “Designation means that every space has a designated purpose,” explains Lougheed. “Because paradigms have shifted in education, we’re doing more project-based learning, so students are moving out into the hallways. Those spaces aren’t really supposed to be used for that, so now we have security issues because students can’t be seen.” Designation considers the intended use (and users) of the spaces, both presently and in the future.
SURVEILLANCE: LUVERNE HIGH SCHOOL, LUVERNE, MN HUDDLE ROOMS FOR STUDENTS
Passive supervision to lockers, student commons, and breakout rooms through glazing and large openings allows for schools to maximize the use of their building for teaching and learning while providing safety and security for students.
“We’ve heard from law enforcement officers that they like glazing in compartmentalized spaces because they can stand in an area, and they can clear the entire space. ‘If I can see them, they can see me.’ They know where the threat is at and can go there and contain it.”
Definition is about how schools are naming and delineating spaces. Classrooms are often called learning studios now, which Lougheed believes evokes exploration and engagement (vs. lecturing and desk-bound learning). Educational wings are now learning communities or neighborhoods. “That helps signify an expectation of behavior. You’ve got norms about how you treat your neighbors and how you take care of your property. All of those things are just inherently in your mind as you hear the word neighborhood,” she notes. The concept of definition also explores acceptable behaviors for users and how spaces are defined physically.
The final D—design—is parceled out into four primary tenets. “What CPTED has done is create buckets of design concepts that we can rely on. They’re not necessarily prescriptive, they’re more performance-based,” says Lougheed.
According to the Department of Education whitepaper, “Natural surveillance, simply put, provides opportunities to see and be seen. Natural surveillance in action arranges physical features in and outside the school to maximize visibility.” By removing opportunities for people to hide or conceal their bad behavior, you increase the risk of perpetrators being caught, which deters aggression and violence. “The more you can see, the safer things are. We like to call it passive surveillance,” says Lougheed. This not only decreases crime, but it also boosts feelings of safety and security for school occupants.
To apply the principle of natural surveillance in schools, spaces should be evenly lit, make effective use of glazing, and use furniture and design elements that don’t impede line of sight. “It’s a shift in mindset from being in a 1960s building with solid walls, moving into a school building that’s got glazing,” notes Lougheed of community spaces just outside classrooms. “What this allows us to do is to have students work out there and have agency, but still have staff and teachers monitor them and make sure negative behaviors are not happening. It’s that neighborhood concept of everyone’s got eyes on the space,” she explains. The Department of Education also suggests making use of low ground cover and high canopied trees, along with routine grounds maintenance to maximize visibility on school property.
LAMINATED SAFETY GLAZING
PRODUCTS
CPTED principle of natural surveillance: Laminated glazing at controlled entry sequences allow designers to maintain visibility but still delay and deter active threat situations.
Viracon, the largest glass fabricator in North America, provides a security glass portfolio with a range of laminated glass solutions designed to enhance occupant protection by deterring threats, including forced-entry attacks, all tested in accordance with ASTM F3561 Appendix X1, the industry-preferred standard for security performance. Other Viracon architectural glass products include insulating, silk-screened, digital print, spandrel, hurricane-resistant, acoustical, forced entry, blast-mitigating, electronic eavesdropping mitigating, and high-performance proprietary coatings for glass.
Viracon viracon.com
MULTI-USER NON-SEPARATED TOILET ROOM DOOR HARDWARE
CPTED principle of natural surveillance: Providing appropriate door closing hardware on multi-user non-separated toilet room doors allows users to quickly assess if toilet rooms are in-use and to ensure no one is hiding behind a door.
Schools often worry about student-on-student violence. Policies may require locks that can be secured from inside without a teacher's key for lockdowns. However, thumbturn locks can pose risks if misused in empty classrooms. Schlage’s Corridor Lock (L9456 with XL13-439) with deadbolt featuring key override, allows unlocking from outside, even if the thumbturn is held inside. Combined with a highly visible locked status indicator trim, this offers a safe solution that meets the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) recommendation for the use of indication trims on classroom doors.
Schlage schlage.com
OPERABLE WINDOWS
CPTED principles of natural access control and natural surveillance: Taking advantage of having exterior glazing in classrooms, schools can introduce emergency operable windows as a secondary means of egress without needing to add doors, which often introduce safety and security concerns.
Egress windows offer a crucial escape route during emergencies like security threats or fires. DeSCo Architectural, Inc.’s Series i85 thermal casement egress windows are engineered for swift exits, enabling students and staff to evacuate safely when main exits are inaccessible. These aluminum windows have been engineered to ensure high performance in a wide variety of applications and are manufactured to industry-leading standards using only the finest materials available. High-Performance glazing options include force protection, integral blinds, and 1.75-in. insulated glass units.
DeSCo Architectural descoarc.com
SURVEILLANCE: ROSEAU
NATURAL ACCESS CONTROL:
FOX HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE, WATFORD CITY, ND
Signage and a focal point on the building serve to guide users through a site toward the desired entrance. Locating the main office at this intersection and providing glazing out onto this space also increases the natural supervision.
Natural Access Control
“Natural access control is about guiding people through the space the way that you want them to move. It relies on changes in patterns in flooring material and fencing or landscaping to funnel folks where we want them to be,” explains Lougheed. Wayfinding and effective use of signage (e.g., “STAFF ONLY” signs), as well as locked doors, gates, landscaped paths, and berms can be effective in restricting access and providing safe routes. “One of the biggest things for natural access control that we do from a compartmentalization standpoint, is use accordion folding fire doors,” shares Lougheed. “Corridors in schools are really wide, and if we have to separate the building and put a 6-ft.-wide door in, we have a whole bunch of kids passing through a really narrow space. That creates conflict.” These large fire doors keep the corridors wide for a smooth flow of student traffic while meeting building security and fire safety requirements.
ACCORDION FOLDING FIRE & SECURITY DOORS
Won-Door’s horizontal-sliding FireGuard accordion doors serve as both fire doors and access control checkpoints. These fire-rated doors provide an effective deterrent to unauthorized visitors while maintaining an open plan design, providing unmatched flexibility and peace of mind. FireGuard is versatile enough to protect the narrowest corridors with the shortest ceilings, as well as openings that span over 200-ft. wide and over 35-ft. tall. Available features include electromagnetic locking clutch, anti-sway brackets, integration with the security system, and more.
Won-Door Corporation wondoor.com
Chad Ziemendorf
LEARNING STUDIO DOOR HARDWARE
CPTED principle of natural access control: Providing appropriate door hardware can allow students and staff the opportunity to secure their learning spaces and delay or deter threats. When choosing a classroom lock, consider lockdown capability, code compliance, durability, and security.
Schlage’s Classroom Security Lock with Vandlgard (LV9071) offers locked lever protection, allowing control from inside during lockdowns while meeting free egress requirements. The Vandlgard feature enables the exterior locked lever to rotate freely down, safeguarding the lock's functionality under excessive force.
Schlage schlage.com
DOOR HARDWARE
The LCN 4110 Series’ cast-iron body, all weather Liquid X hydraulic fluid, and adjustable spring offer excellent versatility for unique installations. The telephone booth cylinder (TEL) allows the door to naturally stand ajar and indicate a room is unoccupied, which, in turn, designates a closed door as a signal for occupancy. Couple this with an extra duty arm (EDA) for additional durability and this configuration delivers the reliability and functionality required for consistent performance in unique applications.
LCN lcnclosers.com
Territorial Reinforcement
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) School Assessment define this tenet by saying, “Territoriality is the use of physical attributes to delineate space and to express a sense of ownership and pride. The objective is to communicate to others that an area is claimed and cared for and therefore unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated.” How does a space instill and inspire feelings of ownership? The environment should
sponsor a feeling of community and connection and define boundaries between public areas and private spaces. Consistent use of color, branding, and materials can create an identity for occupants to align with. Lougheed encourages schools to make space for student displays. “Public art is a huge piece of territorial reinforcement. It helps people identify with an ownership of public space,” she says. Flexible furniture is another strategy, enabling students and faculty to reorganize spaces to suit their needs— promoting agency and ownership.
Territoriality is the use of physical attributes to delineate space and express a sense of ownership.
HALLWAY
PHOTO CREDIT: Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss
Maintenance
The last of CPTED’s four design principles, maintenance, is the simple premise that if a space is in good condition, people will want to keep it that way. “Jane Jacob’s broken window theory says that if there is damage, like a broken window or graffiti, and you don’t take care of it, it will continue to get worse,” says Lougheed. Fix the window and fewer people will be inclined toward vandalism and littering. As JLG Architects put it, “If people feel they belong in a space, they will inherently want to keep it in good condition.” Poorly maintained facilities often lend the impression of a lack of security, perpetuating a cycle of crime.
While maintenance is typically the responsibility of building operations and janitorial staff, architects and designers still have a role to play in the selection of durable materials that will retain their appearance after extended use and abuse. “We’re having conversations up front with maintenance staff to say, these are the materials we’re going to use, and here is the length of life on them,” shares Lougheed. Designing for maintainability has led the team at JLG Architects to recommend schools use rubber flooring that’s self-healing over vinyl composite tile (VCT) that is maintenance intensive. And while block walls don’t offer longterm flexibility, drywall can’t withstand the wear. “We’re also introducing the use of fiber-reinforced laminate panels, which you used to see a lot in healthcare settings. They’re durable, particularly in corridors, and we can put graphics on them to create a design aesthetic,” she notes.
WALL PROTECTION PANELS
CPTED principles of maintenance and territorial reinforcement: Schools are moving to more flexible spaces, which means using less concrete block and more metal-framed stud walls. This means needing to provide durable wall protection, particularly in high-traffic areas. The ability to also use this material to showcase the identity of the building, including branding and wayfinding allows designers to provide two solutions with a singular product.
“If students understand that this [building] is in good condition, they want to keep it in good condition.”
Formica Group’s HardStop Decorative Protection Panels provide a durable, highperformance solution for wall protection. Featuring a treated fiberglass core, these panels offer superior impact resistance, strength and a Class A fire rating. Ideal for commercial environments, HardStop panels are easy to install, clean, and maintain. With a wide range of design options, these panels seamlessly coordinate with other Formica laminates for a cohesive look.
Formica Corp. formica.com
RUBBER FLOORING
CPTED principles of maintenance and natural access control: Durable flooring that is also self-healing allows for less maintenance. Installing flooring in patterns and changing colors helps define desired paths within buildings, guiding users through the space.
Mannington’s Open Range rubber tile captures the essence of rustic wood visuals in a hard-working rubber 6.25 in. × 42 in.-wide plank format. Available in 12 warm and neutral tones, the tile features rich texturing and high variation from plank to plank for added authenticity. It never needs to be waxed, thanks to a proprietary combination of inherent waxes, and has superior scratch resistance due to low clay and high pigment content. No finish or stripping is necessary, which lowers maintenance costs.
Mannington Commercial manningtoncommercial.com
TERRITORIAL REINFORCEMENT: WILLISTON INNOVATION ACADEMY CAFETERIA, WILLISON, ND
Converting an old pool building into an innovation academy provided the school an opportunity to add playful and unique identifiers, including a walkway called “The High Dive” and the art installation of the old starting blocks. Use of these design principles reinforces the sense of community with a shared sense of belonging.
Growing Your Knowledge of CPTED
To grow your own knowledge of CPTED, Lougheed encourages architects and other professionals to become credentialed through (and use the resources available from) the National Institute of Crime Prevention. “Beyond that, reach out and talk to CPTED practitioners. We all have the same overarching philosophy, but I think we have different ways of instilling that within our design practice. It’s an evolving conversation,” she concludes.
“We’re using a lot of flexible furniture, which aligns with territorial reinforcement, ownership of space, and student agency, being able to move things around. In instances where they might need to shelter in place and hide, there’s also an opportunity to flip the tables up or move mobile casework over in front of glass.”
Flexible storage furniture supports student and staff agency over space, allowing for more learning studio square footage to be used for teaching and creating better overall learning environments. While not bulletresistant, they can also be moved in front of glazing in spaces to create areas of concealment.
KI's Ruckus Collection is designed with active students in mind. The flexible and secure storage solutions encourage active class participation and hands-on learning, with the aim of improving student performance. The storage units include four lock options—key, combination, digital, or padlock—laminate tops that are spill and tamper resistant, and the choice of casters or glides for easy mobility around the classroom. They also include height adjustable features so classrooms can adapt to students of all heights.
KI ki.com
Whitney Lougheed, aia, leed ap, cpd, Project Architect, JLG Architects, has earned the CPTED (CPD) professional designation.
Chad Ziemendorf
Enjoying the Outdoors Requires Solutions that Withstand the Elements
Spending time in and near nature is good for the body and the soul, but Mother Nature doesn’t always make it easy. Luckily, there are an increasing number of products being designed to better brave the elements, so people have more options for spending a few minutes outside or at least having a nice view, hurricane optional.
These solutions are engineered to endure exposure to rain, sun, snow, and wind.
With an expanded color range, enhanced versatility and extended options for outdoor applications, Serge Ferrari has retooled its Soltis 502 Proof composite fabric offering. Made from 100% recycled polyester yarns, the low-carbon material incorporates Precontraint technology for enhanced resistance against extreme weather and abrasion while maintaining excellent dimensional stability. The extended color range will help the fabric blend with a wider range of architectural styles and themes.
Serge Ferrari Group Soltis 502 Proof composite fabric sergeferrarigroup.com
FABULOUS FABRIC
WEATHER-RESISTANT CURTAINWALL
Featuring an updated thermally broken design, Tubelite releases the next generation ForceFront Storm (EFS) 400T curtainwall system. The aluminum framing incorporates a 2.5-inch, captured or structural silicone glazed, pressure bar system for use on single- and twin-span applications with a wider choice of frame depths. The system is engineered and tested to meet the Florida Building Code’s impact and cycling requirements and passed large missile impact testing for wind speeds in excess of 160 mph to meet High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Wind Zone 3 requirements.
Tubelite ForceFront Storm (EFS) 400T curtainwall system tubelite.com
Azenco Outdoor R-BLADE pergola azenco-outdoor.com
PRETTY PERGOLA
This bioclimatic pergola features a motorized, louvered roof. With it, the R-BLADE pergola delivers gapless roofing for enhanced waterproofing and weather-responsive sensors that automatically adjust the position of the louvers to accommodate changing conditions. The position of the louvers can also be adjusted with a remote control or through a smartphone app. Providing protection from the sun and weather, the stylish, versatile solution helps employees and patrons maximize time spent outdoors.
R-BLADE’s unique features, from dual-walled louvers to hidden gutters and many design options, let people rest easy in the sun or shade.
ACOUSTIC LIGHTING
Block is a lightweight acoustic 9mm felt pendant that is available in an unlit model or with integrated lighting. Made from recycled PET acoustic material, the product replaces acoustic ceiling tiles with the added benefit of LED lighting.
Available in three lengths, two widths and four height configurations, the Block comes in 11 colors and four lighting color temperatures, and delivers an NRC rating of more than 0.85.
Sabin Lighting Block sabin.design
METAL MANIA
Produced through high-speed fusion and micronization of pure metals, Materica takes brass, bronze, copper, nickel silver, aluminum and zinc, and applies oxidation treatments, laser cutting, resin applications and natural pigmentations to produce a layered, finished material. The Surfaces Venice Collection has been personalized by three designers. Matteo Cibic's Sipario is an enchanting play of optical illusions creating a sense of depth. Serena Confalonieri's Medina is inspired by studded doors decorated with intricate geometric patterns. STORAGEMILANO’s Prisma creates a threedimensional visual effect that enchants the eye.
STONE-LIKE PORCELAIN
A sustainable alternative to marble and natural stone, Nemo Tile + Stone introduces two new porcelain slab collections: Dolcissima and Marvel XL. The designs offer intricate veining with enhanced durability. Both collections come in 17 stone styles and present as a non-porous surface with a resilient body resistant to chemicals and scratches, ensuring easy maintenance. UL Greenguard and Green Squared-certified, Dolcissima comes in a 12mm thickness or 6mm upon request while the Marvel XL is made in the thinner 6mm profile.
Nemo Tile + Stone Dolcissima and Marvel XL nemotile.com
Materica
Surfaces Venice Collection materica.eu
PICTURE WINDOW
SYNC THE LIGHTING WITH THE SUN
Lutron’s Athena wireless node optimizes energy efficiencies with integrated daylighting, lighting and shade controls and delivers daylight synchronization to LED fixtures. The technology matches daylight intensity by extrapolating sunrise, midday, evening and sunset light levels over the course of the day. Supporting lighting designers’ ability to create more scalable, adaptable and streamlined solutions, the technology is suitable for a variety of applications including offices, retail, museums, education, healthcare and cultural centers.
Featuring edge-to-edge glass glazing with no obstructive sightlines, the new EuroWall Vista TL window system can accommodate single glass lites up to 16.5-ft. tall and wide. The butt-glazed glass wall system is designed with minimal 2-in. perimeter frames and no dividing mullions. The system also features a unique and minimal frame extrusion, triple-laminated glass and structural sealant to deliver a combination of great aesthetics and high performance.
Euro-Wall Vista TL euro-wall.com
IAQ GUARANTEED
For highly optimized air ventilation, Ruskin’s TFFi-FA thermal dispersion fan inlet system accurately measures airflow rate and temperature thereby enabling the HVAC system to adjust accordingly. By constantly monitoring these outputs, the system ensures healthy indoor ventilation rates. The cantilevered sensor’s compact design mounts at the fan inlet and serves as a single interface for up to 32 sensors across 16 fans.
Ruskin TFFi-FA ruskin.com
Lutron
Athena wireless node lutron.com
Photo courtesy of Dave Burke/SOM
BUILD YOUR OWN ACOUSTIC CEILING
Selecting from a modular plug and play platform with six different styles, designers can assemble their own illuminated acoustic ceiling with Acoustic Sequence. Available in assorted heights, lengths, spacing and colors, baffle styles include pillow-like edges, sound waves, mountain landscapes, accordion pattern, deeply curved ends and squared-off edges. The fully integrated ceiling fins offer an NRC rating of between 0.5 and 1.0, combining great aesthetics with high performance sound control.
LightArt
Acoustic Sequence lightart.com
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DRAPERY
Expanding its Conscious Collection in collaboration with Swiss-based Création Baumann, Carnegie introduces the Shadow V, Cloud and Shelter drapery lines. With built-in heat and glare protection, the semi-transparent drapes help reduce a building’s solar energy load thanks to its aluminum-metalized material. The textile’s yarn and weaving technology helps regulate light, reduces sound, and is easy to clean and maintain. The durable material is PVC-free, finishfree and PFAS-free.
Carnegie Conscious Collection carnegiefabrics.com
FRESH AND CLEAN
Responding to growing U.S. interest in bidets, Niagara introduces a line of HydroTech bidet seats and a handheld bidet sprayer to meet every budget need. Boosting hygiene and decreasing toilet paper use, choose from an electric seat, non-electric seat, or handheld sprayer Explore the offering to see the latest features and functionalities taking the bidet experience to the next level.
Niagara HydroTech niagaracorp.com
CONTEMPORARY OUTDOOR LUMINAIRE
With its disk shape, seamlessly integrated arm and no visible hardware, the Lupa outdoor luminaire brings a contemporary, refined look to outdoor spaces. Ideal for courtyards, university and corporate campuses, urban parks, city squares, transit access and transitional areas, the product’s light engine produces a gentler, more comfortable gradient for a softer look and glare-free environment. The engine also incorporates the latest technology in its diffuser to deliver broader, more even light distribution.
ON THE DOT
Cyclone Lighting Lupa cyclonelighting.com
Available in rectangular, square, round, teardrop and oval shapes, the Dot Mirror pairs with solid ash wood cabinets with a lacquer finish to comprise the DOT vanity collection. The wood is seasoned for a minimum of 18 months and then goes through a specialized vaporization process and drying cycle to reduce the internal humidity level, minimizing the risk of movement. The cabinets are available in 18 different colors.
ROOMY LUXURY
Featuring a substantial deck, armrests, a gentlysloped backrest and optional grab bars, the Maude freestanding bathtub from Americh is a roomy, up-scale soaker. At 72 in. × 36 in., with an optional air system, the luxury tub is a nice option for hospitality and multi-family applications.
Requiring no custom surround or enclosure, Aquafire Gatsby is a standalone water vapor fireplace unit powered by a standard plug. An affordable “plug-and-play” option, the product makes fireplaces a much more accessible option for hospitality and corporate settings. Using modern ultrasonic technology, water vapor and LED lights, the fireplace creates a realistic 3D flame effect.
ACM PLANKS
Expanding its palette of design options for architects, ALUCOBOND FaceFastened ACM panels offer a plank-like aesthetic with smaller-width, extendedlength aluminum composite metal panels. The flushmounted, seamless cladding is available in a broad array of finishes and colors with matching exposed fasteners for a consistent, unified appearance.
3A Composites USA
FaceFastened ACM panels alucobondusa.com
UNLIMITED COATINGS & COLORS
Expanding its range of architectural aluminum finish choices, architects can cash in on more design options with fluoropolymer coatings and anodize finishes in standard and custom colors. New specialty options include textured terra cotta and wood grain finishes, and designers can access Linetec’s extensive library with thousands of paint colors. Finish types include 70% fluoropolymer, 50% fluoropolymer, baked enamel paints, micas and metallics coatings.
Uline
Wrapped for Wear
A controversial high-rise is set to weather the opinions of Angelenos for the next 2,500 years.
By Jana Madsen
You can’t not notice (W)rapper. It sticks out like a bandaged sore thumb in what was formerly an industrial manufacturing area of Los Angeles. Stretching above the low-rise community, the 17 stories are an attention grabber on a scale its neighbors are entirely unaccustomed.
Completed in 2024, the building’s design was 25 years in the making.
Photography: Tom Bonner Photography, www.tombonnerphotography.com v
(W)rapper, Los Angeles
The form language of (W)rapper was birthed from a 1998 art installation Eric Owen Moss Architects (EOMA) created at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, OH. The installation was part of “Fabrications,” a three-museum exhibition of fullscale architectural works by 12 architects. EOMA’s contribution was a sequence of curvilinear steel forms meant to suggest bleacher seating, although highly deconstructed.
The work was created in response to the Wexner’s own design. “The architect of the museum essentially investigated the use of grids, right angles, and the repeat of that pro forma in various ways,” recalls Eric Moss, Architect, EOMA, Culver City, CA. Dancing Bleachers, with its curved lines and sweeping arcs, offered an alternative understanding of shape, form, and space.
When Samitaur Constructs’ Frederick and Laurie Samitaur Smith approached EOMA with the possibility of a high-rise in an industrial area of Los Angeles ripe for revitalization, EOMA was eager to reimagine the art installation’s essence at a whole new scale. “We rolled out this Dancing Bleachers form language and used it as the structural organization. That gave us, at least in part, the construction and the form and the support for the project,” Moss explains. The Smiths, a former dancer and art assistant to Pablo Picasso, embraced EOMA’s vision.
A High-Rise in a Low-Rise Area
At 235-ft. tall, (W)rapper towers over existing buildings whose heights max out at just 45 ft. The previously derelict, largely deserted Westside area is being reimagined as a creative hub. “It seems to be a plausible response to the question of what to do with these abandoned industrial manufacturing zones that are found all over the United States,” Moss says. EOMA has been working on the revitalization of this area (along with a similar site in Culver City) with Samitaur Constructs for more than three decades.
“The zoning, and what they call in planning, FAR [Floor Area Ratio], was complied with. We haven’t added square footage, we just distributed it as a high-rise building.”
—Eric Moss, Architect, EOMA, Culver City, CA
(W)rapper is a 184,180 rentable square foot, 17-story office tower located at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and National Boulevard. (W)rapper’s proximity to the metro line, and direct pedestrian link from train to building lobby, adds favorability to the location. Below the office floors is a two-story cast-in-place concrete subterranean garage. The building is capped with a two-level rooftop deck.
(W)rapper’s appearance is an exercise in contrast. What might at first glance appear to be a rectangular mass is anything but. At the east elevation, an external staircase weaves up the side of the building in a zigzag of cement plaster material. The angular bends of the staircase cut the negative space around the tower. The visual heaviness here is balanced on the east with aluminum window wall glazing that at each floor seems to bulge and bloat against the structure’s curvilinear wrapped bands. The elevator core has been externalized and moved to the south side of the building, creating a somewhat T-shaped overall building footprint.
Engineered with 20 triplependulum base isolators, (W)rapper can move 30 inches in any direction during seismic events. As a result, the building boasts an unprecedented, estimated lifespan of 2,500 years, guaranteeing its place in the Los Angeles skyline for more than a millennium.
Courtesy EOMA
(W)rapper’s innovative exoskeleton allows the interior to be completely column-free, setting it apart from conventional high-rises. The distinctive exterior bands that crisscross around the building are connected to the floor framing steel I-beams, which are visible from the exterior.
Dancing Bleachers Art Installation
DIAGRAMS
The Wrap at (W)rapper
The building’s most notable design feature, and the one that gave rise to its name, is the lattice of sweeping bands wrapping themselves around the glazing. These aren’t just for looks. They are the building’s exoskeleton. While the structural system of most high-rises is a grid of column supports, the (W)rapper’s floorplates are column-free. “There’s no internal structure,” says Moss. Curvilinear oneby five-foot steel tubes covered in exterior-grade cementitious fireproofing fold around the building until they reach the ground. “It’s not a structure you can buy. This is a structure that has to be fabricated,” adds Moss. The floor framing wide flange steel I-beams are visible where they connect to the curved bands on the building exterior.
“It’s a dual system,” explains Dolan Daggett, Project Director, EOMA, about the building’s steel structural system. “The bands are one part of the system and, in the core on the south, there’s a steel plate shear wall system. The two systems work together to support all the lateral and gravity loading requirements.”
The cementitious fireproofing on the bands and two-coat cement plaster finish on the core are deceptive. “A lot of people see the building and think it’s a concrete building. It’s not,” says Moss. “There was no way those curving tubes were ever going to be made out of anything but steel.”
Uninterrupted floorplates provide unlimited flexibility for maximum design freedom. “We pulled the core out of the building and placed it against what essentially is the main block of the building on the south side, so the elevators and stairs don’t interrupt the internal workings of each floor,” notes Moss. Column-free floors have variable heights of 13 ft. 6 in., 16 ft. 6 in., and 24-ft. tall, the latter of which provides hanging mezzanines. “The variability is as if you were on the street and you walked across the river to Culver City, and to each building you went to sitting on grade, there was a different organization and a different height. We essentially took that horizontality of Culver City and stacked it vertically in (W)rapper,” explains Moss.
Pavers
Stepstone is a leader in producing premium precast concrete products, including Stair Treads, Wall Caps, and Pavers. Its California Architectural (Cal Arc) Pavers are skillfully handcrafted, wet-cast concrete pavers designed for commercial and residential use. The company proudly offers a strong selection of 12 standard colors, from warm tones to cool shades, to bring customers’ visions to life in concrete.
Stepstone stepstoneprecast.com
Trellis
Custom Living Screen panels were fabricated by The Western Group to fit into a prefabricated structure for (W)rapper’s trellis. Constructed of welded steel wire, the oversized panels provide a rigid framework for climbing vines. This modular trellis system unites nature with the built environment. Adding greenery to the panels improves air quality and provides natural shading and cooling, as well as noise and pollution reduction.
The Western Group architecturalwire.com
(W)rapper’s elevator core has been externalized and located on the building’s south side. It is supported with a steel plate shear wall system and finished with a cement plaster brown coat.
(W)rapper meets Los Angeles’ city planning goals for transit-oriented development (TOD) with easy access to the Expo Line light rail that runs right by the building to the north.
Fireproofing
GCP’s MONOKOTE Z-146 is high-density, cementitious fireproofing designed to meet specialty, commercial and industrial fireproofing requirements. It is a Portland cement-based, factory-mixed material requiring only the addition of water on the jobsite for application. MONOKOTE Z-146 is spray applied directly to structural steel (beams and columns), providing up to 4 hours of fire resistance. Its physical characteristics are excellent for areas where high-durability and clean conditions are demanded.
GCP Applied Technologies gcpat.com
Glazing
Solarban 70 Solargray glass is an innovative product that combines the benefits of two advanced glass technologies. It merges the aesthetic appeal of a harmonizing cool, mediumgray tinted glass with the energy efficiency of a solar control, low-e coating. This unique combination not only enhances the visual appeal of buildings, but also significantly improves energy performance by reducing solar heat gain and optimizing natural light. Perfect for modern architectural designs, it offers a balance of style, functionality, and sustainability.
Vitro Architectural Glass vitroglazings.com
“I think the building is really a combination of poetics and prosaics together. That's the underlying sensibility for the project and a lot of the projects that we do.”
-Eric
Moss, Architect, EOMA, Culver City, CA
“I don’t really much care how it’s defined when somebody looks at it, but it’s interesting that it’s so often misunderstood as what it is. A lot of people see the building and think it’s a concrete building. It’s not.”
-Eric Moss, Architect, EOMA, Culver City, CA
Arcadia Inc. arcadiainc.com
Exterior Plaster
Parex’s Fiber-47
Armourwall Sanded Scratch & Brown is a factory controlled high-quality blend of portland cement, lime, fibers, and proprietary additives. It conforms to ASTM C926, which is designed as a replacement to jobsite mixed scratch and brown basecoats. It complies with code criteria for exterior portland cement plaster and sets in 30-45 minutes after mixing, depending on conditions.
PAREX USA parexusa.com
Aluminum Window Wall
Arcadia’s windows are custom built to meet each project’s size, design, and wind load.
An external staircase climbs the building’s east elevation. Covered in cement plaster, this angular feature contrasts with the curvilinear nature of the building’s steel bands and abundant use of energyefficient glazing.
Building Resiliency
(W)rapper is a building like no other in the United States, and that’s not a statement based solely on aesthetics. Located in an area with many active faults, designing for seismic activity is not only critical, but also mandated by building codes. (W) rapper is the only U.S. high-rise commercial office building that is a base-isolated structure.
Twenty triple-pendulum base isolators under the building’s steel-framed podium at grade support the tower and deliver the highest possible seismic safety rating in the United States. “The isolators allow the building to move 30 inches in all directions during an earthquake,” explains Daggett. “It’s the concept of resilience. In a catastrophic event, the building’s structure survives. And not just survives, it’s not damaged.”
Each isolator’s three pendulums become active at different earthquake intensities. As ground motion gets stronger, displacements increase, according to manufacturer Earthquake Protection Systems (EPS). EOMA notes that the base-isolated structure makes the building five times more seismically resilient than a typical American high-rise. “The day after the earthquake, you can go back to work,” says Moss. “The isolators theoretically make that possible. The building will be up for 2,500 years—at least if you believe the people who are doing the computations—while everything else around it has fallen down.”
As you drive into (W)rapper’s parking facility, the isolators are visible. “These pieces of technology are part of the experience of the building,” Moss notes.
Base Isolator
Earthquake Protection Systems’ Triple Pendulum isolator provides better seismic performance, lower isolator costs, and lower construction costs compared to other seismic isolation technology. Each of the isolator’s three pendulums become sequentially active (isolator displacements increase) as earthquake motions become stronger. EPS isolators are designed to limit seismic damage and conform to the company’s Continued Functionality Standard.
Earthquake Protection Systems earthquakeprotection.com
Floorplates are free of columns and a central core. Along with variable floor heights of 13 ft. 6 in., 16 ft. 6 in., and 24 -ft. tall, (W)rapper offers tenants maximum design freedom.
The building contains 20 triple-pendulum base isolators to enable movement during earthquakes. (W)rapper has the highest possible seismic rating in the United States and a predicted life of more than 2,000 years.
courses at
Color Theory Helps Explain Our Relationship to Nature and Wellbeing
This CEU explores people’s interactions, effects and perceptions of color and its impact on wellbeing.
Credits: 1 LU/HSW / 0.1 CEU
Need to complete some CE credits to renew your architecture license? Join our Architecture + Design Master community and get free, on-demand courses all in one place.
Decarbonization 101
Exploring the opportunities to achieve operational decarbonization and reduce embodied carbon with design.
Credits: 1 LU/HSW
Exploring Design Trends for K-12 Applications
This course addresses student behaviors, improving the learning environment, and enhancing the sustainability of educational buildings.
Credits: 1 LU/HSW
Flooring + The Well Building Standard Version 2
Exploring the various ways that flooring can contribute toward a project earning WELL v2 certification.
Credits: 1 LU/HSW
Facing the Future (and the Criticism)
When critics aren’t attacking (W)rapper’s size and design, they’re railing on its large carbon footprint. Made from 5,400 tons of steel, their objections are not unfounded. Moss points to the building’s predicted life—measured in millennia— as justification. And to those who simply find its appearance vile, he simply doesn’t care. “There are people who disagree with it, who disagree with its scale and who disagree with its appearance. There are a variety of opinions,” he says. “My guess would be that whatever the opinion is the first 20 minutes won't be the opinion 20 years from now, either way.”
The building’s predicted longevity and permanence mean it will not only face the scrutiny and adoration of people today, but also those living and working in Los Angeles for thousands of years to come. The reaction Moss hopes remains constant through time though, is one of intrigue. “The qualities of
curiosity and wonder, I think, might be important to people’s lives, in general terms. And if the building suggests that, if it conveys that, if it carries that message, and maybe not to everybody, maybe to some percentage or maybe even to a few people, or in different ways to different people, then I think it's done its job,” he explains.
(W)rapper won’t be standing alone for long. More development is planned for the site. Two other towers have already been approved by the City of Los Angeles. (W)rapper’s sister high-rise will be built next to it on the east and is the byproduct of (W)rapper’s original two-building plan from the early 2000s. “(W)rapper 2 is in process. And then there's something we call euphemistically the Turtle, which is another tower. And then maybe there’s a fourth tower, which is a media tower,” says Moss.
The rooftop of (W)rapper, accessible via elevator and an external staircase that zigzags up the building’s east elevation, offers a unique vantage point. As the only highrise in a low-rise community, its amenity deck boasts unobstructed panoramic views of the downtown Los Angeles skyline and the Westside.
Future buildings
The Difference a New Roofing Material Makes
New insulated translucent tensile roofing membrane brings beauty, diffused daylight, better acoustics, and improved thermal performance to the Rita Rossi Colwell Center.
The Rita Rossi Colwell Center is a striking architectural landmark located on Baltimore’s waterfront. The 36,000-sq.-ft. facility at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) supports scientific research, education and innovation, specifically in marine and aquatic sciences. Its open, light-filled atrium is often regarded as a symbol of innovation and sustainability.
Now, that light-filled atrium is being improved. The PTFE tensile membrane roof is being replaced by next-generation Tensotherm insulated translucent tensile membrane by Birdair.
Tensotherm is a composite material comprised of three component materials: a PTFE fiberglass fabric membrane exterior skin, a translucent blanket embedded with revolutionary aerogel thermal and acoustic insulation, and a PTFE fiberglass acoustic or vapor barrier interior liner.
Aerogel insulation is distinct from traditional types of insulation because it does not deteriorate over time or under compression. It is also 95% air, making it a light insulating material and a good fit for a lightweight PTFE fiberglass fabric membrane. The insulation value of a Tensotherm solution can be scaled to fit a project’s needs by adding additional layers of aerogel-filled blankets to the assembly.
At the Rita Rossi Colwell Center, Birdair will upgrade the original PTFE roofing system, installed by Birdair
in 1994, with its innovative Tensotherm insulated tensile fabric, which provides enhanced durability, energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
One of the Colwell Center’s goals, post-renovation, is to expand its functionality beyond marine research. With its brilliant interior and sweeping waterfront views, the space is expected to host events and cultural gatherings for the university as well as the broader Baltimore community.
Birdair will replace the Colwell Center’s outer roof layer with the Tensotherm insulated system, an 8mm composite that retains natural light transmission while offering advanced thermal and acoustic performance. In addition, Birdair will replace a 175-sq.-ft. awning at the south entry of the building.
The replacement work is scheduled to begin in May 2025 and is expected to take approximately six months to complete. Operating within an active facility, Birdair's 10-12-person construction crew will carefully manage the project in sections, ensuring minimal disruption to the atrium’s dayto-day activities.
“This project allows us to build on a long-standing partnership with UMBC and the Rita Rossi Colwell Center,” said Tom Connell, Vice President, Birdair. “We’re excited to return three decades after the installation of our original PTFE roof to deliver the next generation of tensile roofing. The new
Tensotherm roofing material not only enhances the structure’s long-term performance but also improves the overall experience for students, faculty and visitors alike.”
Birdair is partnering with the national general contractor JVS Construction Group for the project, which is part of a broader deferred maintenance package that includes HVAC upgrades and interior painting. In addition, the renovation will incorporate subcontracted improvements to the structure’s skylights to enhance their sealant and lifespan. A limited amount of equipment will be used for the project due to the lack of space around the venue. No large-scale cranes will be used, and a small crane will be used only in the beginning stages to transport materials.
Rita Rossi Colwell Center University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
General Contractor: JVS Construction Group
All images Courtesy of Birdair.
Elev8 Awards Issue
Showcase your insights, leadership, projects, and more.
>A full color page devoted to your company
>You choose three questions and answers to showcase your expertise
>Three images of your leadership and/or your work
>Company logo
>Contact information
>Great for architectural and interior design firms, and design and building professionals who work on commercial and institutional projects
>Discounts for design competition entrants
The Problem-Solving Pavers in Manhattan’s Two-Acre Rooftop Park
Primary pathways of porcelain tile encourage visitors to explore the expansive greenspace, seven stories up.
One of the most remarkable features of the recently transformed Morgan Post Office, by developer Tishman Speyer, is its rooftop recreational park. The two-acre rooftop park is the largest green roof in Manhattan.
“For the rooftop park, sustainability was a critical aspect of the project,” explains Hank White, Founding Principal of HMWhite. “Natural materials were very important and the overall commitment to sustainability resulted in the Morgan North achieving LEED Gold Certification.”
The landscape architect team at HMWhite selected natural Mirage porcelain pavers, by Belgard, which were installed over Mirage’s proprietary EDECK system. This raised pedestal support system solves many issues for rooftops that are typically not completely flat, as they adjust in height. White says this feature significantly streamlined the installation
process, as it eliminated the need for grout, adhesives, or specialized workers.
Mirage porcelain pavers provide contemporary style in a wide variety of rich color collections with finishes such as wood-grain and natural stone effects. They capture the essence of contemporary trends while ensuring the highest performance. They are extremely durable and wear-resistant for outdoor living spaces.
White says, “Durability was especially important to Tishman Speyer in busy Manhattan. Another great benefit is that the pavers are resistant to stains and easy to clean. Porcelain is one of the hardest materials around, comfortable to walk on and ADA compliant. The pavers’ load-bearing of up to 2,000 lbs. made them the ideal choice for the expansive pathway and entertainment areas.”
This porcelain paver offers high density and ultra-low absorption rate that creates a tight surface texture and fends off surface mold, moss, dirt, and other types of stains.
Project: Morgan North
Location: 351 9th Ave., NYC
Developer: Tishman Speyer
Vision Plan & Architect: Shimoda Design Group
Landscape Architect: HMWhite
Lead Architect: Montroy DeMarco Architecture
PRODUCTS: Belgard
Mirage porcelain pavers belgard.com
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
Speedstac are modular concrete construction units that contain electrical and plumbing. An innovative connector system supports easy installation in stacks or rows. The system works with new construction or replacing existing units.
Architects Embracing Product Development
Toronto firm’s R&D arm innovates AEC product solutions.
Leveraging their unique, first-hand knowledge of key building owner challenges, WZMH Architects is methodically working to help solve those issues with new solutions.
Headed by WZMH Principal Zenon Radewych, the firm’s in-house research and development lab Sparkbird has been busy creating, testing and commercializing design and construction innovations since 2017. “Because we are in the business of designing and overseeing the construction of buildings, we live and breathe the pain points that designers, engineers and builders deal with every single day,” he explains.
In its eight years of research, the Sparkbird team has racked up a nice list of innovations and awards. It all started with the Intelligent Structural Panel (ISP), a prefabricated structural floor panel system that integrates a low-voltage electrical highway within a thin steel panel.
“Combining structural, electrical and technology infrastructure into a single unit, the panel supports plug-and-play smart devices like lighting, security, and HVAC,” explains Radewych.
In fact, the technology caught the attention of Microsoft. Further explored in their AI & IoT Insiders Lab in Redmond, Wash., WZMH became the world’s first architectural firm to be accepted into this coveted program.
Another prefabricated solution is Speedstac. This modular concrete construction unit integrates electrical and plumbing, and an innovative connector system. It can be installed in stacks or rows and inserted into apartment buildings to replace existing units.
Speedstac earned a BLT Built Design Award last year, as did ISP, and is being tested in Ukraine as a strategy for replacing sections of mid- or high-rise buildings damaged by fire or missile attacks, thereby eliminating the need to replace the whole building. WZMH is currently developing the prefabbed module in structural steel, light-gauge steel, mass timber, and hybrid solutions.
The firm’s work with Speedstac led to another invention called doton, a technology that reduces errors, improves efficiency, and tracks progress during the installation of modular components. The modular blocks are marked with dots providing direction for installers. The modules are tracked with a smartphone camera and the technology accounts for variables like wind speed.
Other SparkBird innovations in the building material category are Carbonlock, a green and smart concrete material, and Timberclad which utilizes Nail Laminated Timber (NLT) or Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) to reduce weight and environmental impact while offering high insulation. Another BLT Built Design Award winner, Timberclad is being developed as an alternative to concrete panels, and is targeting
structures with limited openings like industrial buildings and data centers.
For improving workflows, Sparkbird developed PARRiT, which turns PDFs into navigational floor plans, and AIM, which provides very detailed and accurate massing of buildings, including the building envelope, in a short period of time.
“The most satisfying part is seeing ideas turn into reality. Whether it’s a new material, software tool or modular system, it’s incredibly rewarding to witness something that started as a concept go through prototyping, testing and real-world application,” says Radewych. “I also love the collaborative nature of Sparkbird—working with architects, engineers, technologists and industry leaders to solve realworld challenges and make construction faster, smarter, and more sustainable.”
— Barbara Horwitz-Bennett, contributing writer
Zenon Radewych, B. Tech, WZMH Architects’ Principal heads up the firm’s in-house research and development lab Sparkbird.
Photos courtesy of
WZMH Architects
The Intelligent Structural Panel provides plug-and-play connectivity through its structural, electrical and technology infrastructure.
The new Elvari collection is the most comprehensive line of washroom accessories from grab bars to dispensers to LED mirrors and shelves with a unified modern look that will elevate any commercial washroom design. Discover the beauty of unity, only from Bradley.
