Capture the warmth and beauty of real wood with stunning finishes in wood-look visuals. Lyra® PB wood-look panels offer whisper-quiet acoustics with up to 0.95 NRC and sustainability attributes that contribute to LEED® credits. Learn more and order samples at armstrongceilings.com/inspiredbynature
Hanover® Roof & Plaza Pavers provide environmental benefits while creating aesthetically appealing rooftops and plaza gardens. A wide range of paver styles, pedestal systems and high wind solutions are available. And with a library of over 3,800 granite-like colors to choose from, paving possibilities are endless.
Modern multi-family residential construction calls for larger, wider and brighter interior spaces with maximum ceiling height and minimal floor-to-floor depth.
To address those demands, Vulcraft-Verco has re-engineered its Dovetail Floor Deck to increase strength and load capacity at longer spans and shallower floor depths, taking multi-family residential construction to a whole new level.
Architectural Products Magazine, Volume 23, Number 05
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Feature // Interactive Learning Pavilion, University of California, Santa Barbara LMN Architects creates an educational oasis in Santa Barbara, Calif., a building infused with coastal materiality that offers cutting-edge learning environments. by Jana Madsen
Feature // Heartland Whole Health Institute, Bentonville, Ark. Marlon Blackwell Architects and TM Light team up to create a design that honors the natural elements of the place, while inspiring employees to change the world. by Jana Madsen
A Master Class in Mass Timber & More
SOM realizes the first mass timber, Net Zero civic building in the U.S. and addresses special acoustic considerations to deliver an office space that’s getting rave reviews for many reasons.
by Barbara Horwitz-Bennett
High-Performance Envelopes
Enhanced Accessibility to Oncology Exam Rooms Keeping Cold Air at Bay in Commercial Spaces Bringing Daylight to the Pickleball Court
Last Detail66
Julianne Scherer, aia, ncarb, leed ap bd+c, Civic Architectural Director of the Central Region, HDR Civic Architect, Public Servant
Product Publication of the U.S. Architectural Market
The Power of Place-Based Details
Local pecan hickory wood. Giraffe stone walls. Sedimentary layers of coast-lining cliffs. Architects are bringing the distinct elements of place into building design in some beautiful ways.
There are several ways that architects today reference the location of a project in its design. They incorporate local materials, local plant life, and a complementing color palette. They craft architectural forms that resemble geographical features of the space. They provide views connecting occupants in the building to the nature just outside. This issue of Architectural Products profiles several projects where the design team made a concerted effort to consider the place.
The Heartland Whole Health Institute was designed by Marlon Blackwell Architects for Walmart heiress Alice Walton. It was Alice who delivered the objective of making the building feel “of the place.” To that end, the design team created a custom wood ceiling and stair made of local pecan hickory wood that hides lighting and other building systems for an uninterrupted moment of wonder. They developed a
“There’s a tradition of building with local fieldstone that’s found on the property. You lift it up and put it on the wall with big grout joints. When you’re done, it looks like the skin of a giraffe.”
—Marlon Blackwell, Marlon Blackwell Architects
building with curvilinear forms and materials drawn from the site’s karst topography and Ozark forests, trailing local ravines. Moments like giraffe stone walls were created by using local fieldstones found on the property and installed with big grout joints so that the finished element resembles the skin of a reticulated giraffe. The tour begins on page 32.
LMN Architects increased classroom space on the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus by 35% with an addition that clearly ties to location and purpose. The outer perimeter has ultrahigh-performance concrete panels relating to the form and materiality of the surrounding buildings. Inner-facing exterior walls are reminiscent of the nearby coastal cliffs. The organic curves are clad in concrete masonry blocks of varying colors to resemble sedimentary layers. This project’s story starts on page 20.
“One of the things that I most appreciate about this project is that it feels inseparable from its place. The site, the context, the program, and the environment all converge to create a design that’s completely unique to this campus. This building wouldn’t have been built in any other place,” says Jennifer Milliron, Principal, LMN Architects.
This issue contains another project that has garnered heaps of media attention over the last few years. The San Mateo County Office Building (COB) 3 is the first mass timber, Net Zero energy civic building in the U.S., designed by SOM, with a construction budget of $195 million. This building proves that building performance is also placebased when trying to achieve a certain level of sustainability. The team at SOM designed a night flush to create passive cooling each night, when outdoor conditions are mild and applied vertical fins to minimize glare and solar heat gain during the day. Dive into the story behind the incredible design on page 52.
Hoping you find moments in this issue that inspire and inform from wherever in the world you’re reading it.
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Heartland Whole Health Institute, Bentonville, Ark. p. 32
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NEW BOOK
Architectural Epidemiology: Architecture as a Mechanism for Designing a Healthier, More Sustainable, and Resilient World
By
Adele Houghton, faia, drph, leed ap and Carlos Castillo-Salgado, md, jd, mph, drph
In a world where real estate development often overlooks the critical link between our built environment and public health, architectural epidemiology has emerged as a groundbreaking field that reimagines how to design, build, and inhabit our spaces. Adele Houghton and Carlos Castillo-Salgado bridge the gap between two disparate fields to propose a new, transdisciplinary approach aimed at fostering community and planetary health.
ASLA
ASLA 2025 Conference on Landscape Architecture Oct. 10-13
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MetalCon
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HCD
Healthcare Design Expo & Conference Oct. 25-28
Kansas City Convention Center Kansas City, Mo. hcdexpo.com
Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles informaconnect.com/ greenbuild
Architectural Epidemiology leverages building design, renovation, and operations to improve health outcomes among building occupants and in the surrounding community. Drawing from both environmental and applied social epidemiology, this novel approach deploys a problem-solving methodology to identify the evidence-based strategies in building design and operations that could lead to positive or negative health outcomes by reducing exposure to environmental hazards and promoting healthy behaviors. The authors illustrate how thoughtful, place-based design can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, chronic diseases, and other public health challenges. Realworld examples from diverse settings demonstrate the practical application of architectural epidemiology and its impacts on community and planetary health. Practical tools and infographics translate complex scientific data into actionable design strategies, helping professionals from various disciplines collaborate effectively. $99, Available now.
CONTINUING EDUCATION PLATFORM
World of Concrete Education: January 19-22
Exhibits: January 20-22
Las Vegas Convention Center worldofconcrete.com
IRE Expo
(International Roofing) Expo & Conference: January 20-22
Las Vegas Convention Center theroofingexpo.com
Surfaces Education: January 26-29
Exhibit Hall: January 27-29 Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas intlsurfaceevent.com
Architecture + Design Master Continuing Education Platform has AIA-approved courses, designated as either LU or LU/HSW content, covering a range of important topics. archdesignmaster.com
Make the Grade
Bobrick makes it easy to specify restroom accessories and cubicles for K–12 and higher ed that deliver durability, hygiene, privacy, and long-term value.
BOBRICK.COM/EDUCATION
Interesting Facades
New products are making facades more interesting than ever before. There have been several improvements in materiality that give design teams more options for cladding a building in a terracotta or weathered cement look without the inherent problems and messes these solutions often bring with them.
Beyond providing better curb appeal, building facades can generate electrical energy, actively contributing toward broader decarbonization efforts, and play a key role in the overall thermal efficiency of the building envelope, helping to reduce the amount of enegy used to keep the interior comfortable.
Here are a few new and noteworthy options for facades that will elevate the look and functionality of the building envelope.
Hosting the world’s largest buildingintegrated photovoltaic mural, the SunRise 12-story multifamily building in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada gets 54% of its power needs from the BIPV Mitrex eFacade PRO.
QUALITY RAINSCREEN CLADDING SYSTEMS
Our rainscreen cladding systems are developed for supporting even the most demanding panel materials. NVELOPE systems support concealed fastened and exposed fastened panels, as well as customizable solutions to best meet your design needs. Attach rainscreen cladding using best-inclass brackets, rails, and fasteners which provide versatility, easy installation, and uncompromising quality.
SFS, Nvelope Rainscreen Cladding Systems us.sfs.com
BIPV MURAL BLENDS ART, INNOVATION & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Featuring the world’s largest BIPV mural, at 85-ft. high, an aging 1970s multi-family building was recently transformed by a deep energy retrofit to become the SunRise in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The developer, Avenue Living, required the project achieve at least 50% decarbonization through the façade retrofit to qualify for financing. The challenge was answered with a combination of art and innovation.
Located next to Chinatown, “The Land We Share” mural depicts the intersection of Indigenous and Chinese cultures and is comprised of 30,000 square feet of Mitrex eFacade PRO solar panels. Stretching across the building’s facade, the artwork blends bold colors with intricate patterns that reflect the natural landscapes of Alberta. Local artists collaborated on the piece, infusing it with elements that celebrate Edmonton’s Indigenous heritage and multicultural roots.
The art was made energy-efficient with a mosaic pattern of granite eFacade PRO solar cladding panels and accent panels in orange, yellow, blue and purple, which created a high-performance solar generator and a colorful urban renewal display. The artwork is not painted, but embedded directly into the solar panels, showcasing the versatility of Mitrex’s technology. Aesthetically, the BIPV units present as architectural cladding that blend seamlessly into the building’s design.
The BIPV system, powered by monocrystalline solar cells, is projected to deliver an ROI within four years and begin accruing $80,000 in energy savings from year five.
“The high-performance solar facade solution blends aesthetics with cutting-edge BIPV technology. This ventilated rainscreen system features an invisible extruded aluminum profile encasing high-efficiency solar cells, paired with a customizable facing available in 48 colors,” says Maria Paula Pallares Avendano, senior visual designer, marketing specialist, Mitrex, Toronto. “The facing acts as a design canvas—allowing buildings to come to life—seamlessly integrating solar power into the building envelope.”
The ventilated rainscreen system includes an air and moisture barrier and continuous insulation delivering an R-value of 12, boosting energy efficiencies for the 34,500 sq.-ft., 12-story SunRise building. The panels are firetested, corrosion-resistant and designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions.
Working together with the architect MBC Group and contractor Chandos Development, Mitrex performed a full budgetary assessment, energy analysis and modelling, in addition to a sample color analyses to dial in optimized performance and cost-effectiveness for the customized BIPV façade.
“The SunRise is more than a building, it’s a statement of what’s possible when sustainability, innovation and cultural respect come together,” stated Avenue Living CEO Max Graham.
The visually stunning, energy-generating building makes a significant contribution to the neighborhood’s urban revitalization efforts, celebrates the local cultural heritage, and delivers 54% of the building’s power needs.
Mitrex, eFacade PRO solar cladding panels mitrex.com
DEFECT-FREE TERRACOTTA CLADDING PANELS
The TerraToscana.Covering cladding panels are handcrafted from fine-grained terracotta clay mixed with pure raw materials such as minerals, refined clays, and pigments to enhance their aesthetic appeal. The clay and mineral mixture, to which water is added, eliminates undesirable compounds like lime particles and other coarse inclusions typical of traditional terracotta, ensuring an optimal aesthetic result and a smooth, defect-free surface. Firing occurs at temperatures above 1000°C, resulting in vitrified material with high mechanical and hygrothermal performance, suitable for external use even in the most adverse climatic conditions.
A new fiber cement cladding that gives commercial projects the authentic, weathered look of poured concrete in an easier, cleaner install. Staggered boards of four varying heights per panel add visual depth and complexity. Achieve the appearance and feel of concrete without the time and cost of traditional masonry. Horizontal installation saves time using Nichiha’s Ultimate Clip System. Plus, no mortar needed.
With an exceptionally deep color palette and remarkable brilliance, Mediamesh technology is used to display large-format graphics, animations, video clips and real-time data feeds. Mediamesh fabric is flexible in the length direction allowing it to be rolled for transport. As of 2024, GKD partnered with Expromo for new LED technology.
GKD Metal Fabrics, Mediamesh V5 x H2.5 Transparent LED Metal Facade gkdmetalfabrics.com
NEW COMPOSITE PANELS FOR WALLS, CANOPIES, FASCIA & ACCENTS
PAC-4000 is a 4mm composite panel made by bonding a prefinished aluminum skin to a substrate of thermoset phenolic resin. A second aluminum skin is added as a backer and provides thermal stability and panel balance. Panels are furnished with a strippable film on the painted surfaces to protect the finish during shipment and installation. PAC-4000 panels are fire-resistant, impact-resistant, water-resistant and easily cut to size in the field.
The 42nd International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings recently wrapped in Bologna, Italy, September 22-26, 2025.
This year the show captivated and inspired its design audience with ceramic and non-ceramic surfaces, interior finishes, and an expansion of their bathroom and wellness sector.
Key themes that emerged from Cersaie 2025 included hyperrealistic surfaces, heightened sustainability, and texture you can’t help but want to touch.
The ultra-matte and industrial-chic made a strong showing. Large-format tiles continue to be popular for their statement-making seamless appearance and three-dimensional surfaces are becoming more and more mainstream.
Here are just a few of the incredible solutions launched at the show.
SECURITY DOOR
Axial is the pivot security door that transforms the simple act of opening into a fluid, theatrical gesture. Part of the Archè collection, it redefines the concept of the entryway: no longer a boundary, but an architectural transition that merges security, aesthetics, and innovation. Axial’s flush-to-wall structure and impressive size (up to 2200 × 3000 mm) enhance the purity of its lines, while the decorative wooden panel and Dreamet metal finish integrate seamlessly into contemporary architecture. A luminous insert highlights the surface’s three-dimensionality, creating a refined dialogue between material and light.
SCRIGNO, Axial Security Door scrigno.com
Our collection of metal look tiles combines the most contemporary look of raw metals with the delicacy of ceramic and porcelain stoneware. Illusion is a collection that plays with visual perception, creating surprising effects through geometric and three-dimensional textures. These tiles are available in turquoise, brass, white and stamped styles. Illusion Turquoise Lappato shown here on the wall. Brass Stamp shown on the floor.
Aparici aparici.com
ILLUSION METAL LOOK TILES
Tile
Fill up your senses with this sculptural bathtub carved from a single block of Coral Black Onyx and handcrafted by master artisans. The natural shades of the material make each piece unique, creating an elegant space that needs only a few elements to be complete. Perfect for both modern and classic bathrooms, it stands as an icon of exclusivity and refinement.
Elitestone.it, Cleopatra Onyx Bathtub Elite Stone
INFINITY LARGE-FORMAT SLABS
Infinity, the engineered surface company aquired by Concorde Group, the largest Italian manufacturer of ceramic floor and wall coverings for architecture and interior design. We design, produce and sell largesize slabs for furnishing accessories, for application on interior walls or for cladding of bonded or ventilated walls.
Infinity Sufaces infinitysurfaces.it
TIGER TILES
MyTop encapsulates a selection of large,12 mm- and 20 mm-thick slabs, which revolutionizes the concept of ceramic tiling, taking it to new spatial and design dimensions. The MyTop slabs combine a Italian manufacturing process with the most advanced and expert craft production technologies. The result is a sintered surface with the highest technical performance, guarantee of safety and resistance that opens up new design avenues to the world of architecture and furnishing. The porcelain stoneware ceramic slabs in the 12 and 20 mm thicknesses are particularly suitable for kitchen tops, bathrooms, work surfaces, tables and for custom furniture. They become an excellent alternative to other materials such as marble, granite and aluminium thanks to the hardness, hygiene properties and impermeability of porcelain stoneware. The slabs can be cut, worked and drilled to adapt to numerous uses.
Fondovalle, MyTop Slabs Infinito 2.0 Floor and Wall Tile in Tiger fondovalle.it
TONDO TILE
Tondo tiles seamlessly blend innovative design with functionality. Thanks to innovative solutions and materials, they have a reduced weight of only 14 kg/m², which ensures easier installation and reduces structural stress on the supporting surfaces. This technical and innovative approach enables the creation of visually striking coverings without compromising structural efficiency. Following a sustainable approach, the product is made with over 60% recycled natural raw materials.
CIMENTO cimento.tech
The reference to the elegance of vintage bricks emerges in the compact format, but it is the refined and contemporary color palette, along with the slightly textured glossy surface, that enhances every nuance. An ideal collection for those who want to transform their spaces with a unique and original touch, making them authentic and unforgettable.
Ceramica Valsecchia ceramicavalsecchia.it
CANDY TILE
ONYX BATHTUB
Works with WELL Products
Works with WELL is a licensing program to demonstrate that particular products are aligned with specific strategies in the WELL Building Standard.
Products that have earned the designation Works with WELL have demonstrated compatibility with one or more WELL feature parts. To be compatible with a feature part, a product type must be directly called for in the WELL feature part requirement and substantially contribute to a WELL project’s ability to achieve that feature part.
Here are a few of the products that have been deemed Works with WELL. Find the full directory of products at directory.wearewell.com
A GARDEN ON THE WALL
Garden on the Wall is a no-maintenance plant art system crafted with all-natural preserved moss and plant species, offering a wide variety of benefits to occupants and improving their well-being in subtle, subliminal ways. We are dedicated to re-establishing the human-nature connection by helping designers curate human-centric spaces with our preserved gardens, moss walls, and planter inserts.
Directly contributes to:
V03.1 Movement—Design Aesthetic Staircases
M09.1 Mind—Provide Nature Access Indoors
M02.1 Mind—Provide Connection to Nature
Garden on the Wall gardenonthewall.com
“Increasingly, companies want to demonstrate how their products support health and well-being. We wanted to provide a robust platform for companies to validate how their products align with health-focused features in WELL.”
—Jessica Cooper, IWBI Chief Product Officer
MUD WALL PANEL
ECOEAGLE Diatom Wall Panel is a combination of Diatom mud Technical Board, eco-friendly PUR hot melt adhesive, and eco-friendly EBPP decorative material. This combination is able to eliminate the release of formaldehyde and TVOC. At the same time, the product is anti-fouling, easy to clean, anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, waterproof and moisture-proof.
Directly contributes to:
X05.2 Materials—Select Compliant Architectural and Interior Products
X06.2 Materials—Restrict VOC Emissions from Furniture, Architectural, and Interior Products
Gilbert Place at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia — QuadCore ® KarrierPanel®, Designwall 4000 and Designwall 2000
Designwall Series
Kingspan’s BENCHMARK Designwall architectural insulated panels are the premiere choice for tailor-made, one-of-a-kind façade designs. Make your mark with a variety of custom finishes and sizes in an extended color range for striking aesthetics and design flexibility combined with advanced thermal performance and energy efficiency.
For the creative freedom to make your mark, explore Kingspan BENCHMARK at kingspanbenchmark.us
QuadCore® Designwall 4000
Creative freedom to make your mark www.kingspanbenchmark.us
CARPET TILE
Designed with the end in mind, our PVC-free, Cradle to Cradle Certified EcoWorx products come with an environmental guarantee for free reclamation and recycling. Through our unrivaled portfolio of brands, Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial and Shaw Contract, Shaw Industries' EcoWorx products are sold to customers worldwide.
Directly contributes to:
X05.2 Material—Select Compliant Architectural and Interior Products
X06.2 Materials—Restrict VOC Emissions from Furniture, Architectural, and Interior Products
X07.1 Materials—Select Products with Disclosed Ingredients
X08.1 Materials—Select Materials with Enhanced Chemical Restrictions
X08.2 Materials—Select Optimized Products
X13.2 Materials—Select Products with Certified Raw Materials
Patcraft, ecoWorx Carpet Tile with Nylon Fiber patcraft.com
These products are situated around the feature requirements under the 10 WELL concepts: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community.
ILLUMINATED LUMINAIRES
ALUZ brings you the BIOS Illuminated ZELO Arc— designed for Indirect and Perimeter applications. With four ceiling trim options and seamless continuous runs, ZELO can be manufactured to your exact specifications. Discover this line voltage, all-in-one recessed solution for indirect lighting without exposed lens for reduced glare. ZELO is available with prefabricated corners and up to 2160 delivered lumens per foot. Driver on board allows for easy replaceability.
Directly contributes to:
L08.1 Light—Enhance Color Rendering Quality
L09.1 Light—Enhance Occupant Controllablity
X07.1 Materials—Select Products with Disclosed Ingredients
X07.2 Materials—Select Products with Enhanced Ingredient Disclosure
Aluz, ZELO Arc BIOS Illuminated Luminaires aluz.lighting
INDOOR AIR QUALITY MONITOR
The Morpho Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitor measures key air quality metrics which are CO2, Temperature, Relative Humidity, total VOCs, Formaldehyde, PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. It has a USB-C power source and the gloWING interface to indicate overall IAQ conditions. When air quality changes, Morpho will alter its color from blue (good) to green (moderate) to amber (attention)—this is our gloWING interface and you can open the Butterfly app to find out what is causing the change and get tips on what you can do about it.
Butterfly, Morpho Indoor Air Quality Monitor butterfly-air.com
PRS IN-DUCT SYSTEM
PRS’ patented technology is the world’s most effective UVC air sterilization system for large commercial buildings with mechanical air handling. It has been fully tested on a variety of viruses, bacteria, and molds, in real buildings as well as BSL3 labs.
Directly contributes to:
A13.1 Air—Improve Supply Air
Pathogen Reduction Solutions, PRS In-Duct System pathogen-reduction.com
The Interactive Learning Pavilion, designed by LMN Architects, offers cuttingedge classrooms in a place-based, open-air environment.
By Jana Madsen
Enrollment is on the rise at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).
With an aging campus, the conundrum was how to meet classroom demand with a building stock that hadn’t grown since 1967. “They were bursting at the seams,” says Jennifer Milliron, Principal, LMN Architects, Seattle, WA. The new Interactive Learning Pavilion (ILP) addressed the need, increasing classroom space on campus by 35 percent.
LMN spent three years designing the new facility. “It was a really collaborative process,” reflects Milliron. “Right at the beginning of design, the university formed a dedicated building committee. We ended up meeting with them roughly every three to four weeks to review progress through all of the design phases.” These efforts were on top of numerous workshops and review sessions that LMN held with faculty, staff, and students to ensure the design of the ILP would serve and support the full campus community.
After three years of construction, the 90,000-sq.-ft. ILP welcomed staff and students for the spring semester of 2023. “The building consists of two curving four-story volumes that are joined at the center by an open-air paseo that allows pedestrian traffic to flow seamlessly through the campus core without a traditional front door,” explains Milliron.
“The university really wanted to create a building that would redefine the campus learning experience. Most of their classroom stock wasn’t active learning classrooms.”
—Jennifer
Milliron, Principal, LMN Architects, Seattle, WA
Efficient, Safe & Open-Air Circulation
Located at the intersection of Library Mall and Science Walk, two of the campus’ busiest pedestrian corridors, the ILP was built on one of the university’s last open sites. “Since that was a primary circulation pathway, we wanted to create multiple front doors and multiple entries from each side of the building to integrate it seamlessly into the existing campus movement patterns,” Milliron explains. Foot traffic wasn’t the only consideration. With a significant number of students commuting to campus on bicycle, space was designated for 1,800 bike parking stalls.
Whereas most students enter a building and wind through interior corridors to reach their classrooms, the design of the ILP takes that circulation out of the building. The open-air paseo is a public circulation space where individuals can enjoy an average of over 300 sunny days annually and temperatures typically in the mid-60s and 70s.
A major consideration for the layout was how to move students efficiently and safely in and out of the instructional spaces. The paseo, wide stairs, and multiple entries facilitate smooth and comfortable movement. “We used MassMotion to simulate pedestrian circulation,” notes Milliron. “We had approximately 4,000 students moving through the building at each class change. The analysis tool was significant for our team early in the design process and used it to right-size the stairs and circulation pathways.” The most efficient space plan was to locate the three largest lecture halls on the lower levels and stack smaller learning spaces on top, creating terraces that step back—and an outdoor circulation space that grows wider—as elevation increases.
The open-air paseo isn’t just beneficial for the social interactions it facilitates; its design is also energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Just by locating the circulation outdoors, conditioned space was reduced by 35%.
Place-Based Building Envelope
The Interactive Learning Pavilion’s aluminum railing and perforated guardrails are functional and aesthetic. They create a beautiful play of shadow and light and allow visibility to see activity. They’re also lightweight and anti-corrosive, which is especially important given Santa Barbara’s salty air.
CUSTOM RAILING
Weiss Sheet Metal specializes in custom stainless steel fabrication, offering in-house shearing and bending of 12-ft. sheets, precision laser and water jet cutting, and expert welding with seamless finishes. Using advanced technology and craftsmanship, Weiss created custom perforated aluminum guardrails in pearlescent white for the Interactive Learning Pavilion—showcasing their ability to blend form and function in decorative metalwork.
Weiss Sheet Metal weiss-sheetmetal.com
STAIRS VS. ELEVATORS
While pedestrian circulation is an important part of the design, LMN put equal emphasis on accessibility. “It was a big priority for this project. The elevator core is very central and extremely prominent. The idea was that it was celebrated and easy to find. It was important to allow for the accessible experience to be equal to the able-bodied one, especially considering how much of the building is stairs and circulation. We focused on elevating that experience,” explains Jennifer Milliron, Principal, LMN Architects, Seattle, WA.
The building’s dramatic design was inspired by its campus location and its proximity to Santa Barbara’s coastal landscape. “One of the things that I most appreciate about this project is that it feels inseparable from its place. The site, the context, the program, and the environment all converge to create a design that’s completely unique to this campus. This building wouldn’t have been built in any other place,” notes Milliron.
The outer perimeter of the ILP has flat walls, vertical windows, and ultra high-performance concrete panels, relating to the form and materiality of surrounding buildings. “There’s a very clear aesthetic of materiality on the campus—a lot of light stone, stucco, and plaster,” Milliron adds. Color and scale integrate the building into the campus with durable, lightweight panels.
“We looked at visual safety and student safety quite a lot, making sure that we were not designing caverns that people could be pulled into or where the sight lines would be lost. We did VR models with the client to really understand and navigate all of the different ins and outs of the project.”
The inner-facing exterior walls that border the building’s core circulation are a nod to the shape and sedimentary makeup of the area’s coastal cliffs. The organic façade follows the arc of the lecture halls inside and is faced with concrete masonry blocks in bands of varying colors to reflect the striations created by natural layers of rock deposits. “We used BIM and parametric modeling, primarily Rhino, and then eventually Rhino and Revit as we moved to late schematic design. This allowed us to refine the curving forms of the building envelope,” Milliron explains.
The elevated outdoor walkways and plaza between the two building forms facilitate chance encounters and opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom. There are plenty of spaces to lounge, study, and linger. “There are very few places on campus where there is outdoor elevated seating that connects you to the ocean and the landscape, which is really lovely,” notes Milliron. During design, Rhino and Revit helped LMN understand sightlines from the building to both the campus and the Pacific Ocean. “Glazing is strategically located and sized to allow for views and to control daylight and heat into the spaces to minimize solar gain and improve comfort,” explains Milliron. Exterior doors into instructional spaces are shielded from direct sunlight by soffit overhangs.
—Jennifer Milliron, Principal, LMN Architects, Seattle, WA
CONCRETE PANELS
TAKTL Architectural UHPC (A|UHPC) is Ultra High Performance Concrete, optimized for specifically thin format façade applications. UHPC is exceptionally strong, without the voids or environmental vulnerabilities of traditional concrete, making it ideally suited for extreme climates and demanding marine locations. TAKTL takes proven UHPC technology and augments its performance, resilience, and design characteristics for large-scale building façades. All TAKTL panels are manufactured entirely in the U.S. and carry a standard 20-year warranty.
TAKTL, A|UHPC taktl-llc.com
SEDIMENT-INSPIRED LAYERS
The building's inner-facing exterior walls are both reminiscent of nearby coastal cliffs and the large fan-shaped lecture halls on the lower levels of the Interactive Learning Pavilion. The organic curves are clad in concrete masonry blocks of varying colors to evoke sedimentary layers.
CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
Best Block Architectural Masonry Units combine the strength and durability of standard CMU with customizable finishes and colors for dynamic, designforward solutions. Available in fluted, ground, polished, split, or textured faces, these locally made units offer fire resistance, sound-proofing, and energy efficiency. At the Interactive Learning Pavilion, nominal 4 in. × 8 in × 16 in. polished face units were installed in four different colors on the curved inner-facing exterior walls to create a striated effect.
Best Block bestblock.com
Cutting-Edge Learning Environments
Ninety percent of the ILP is comprised of different types of classrooms, serving the entire campus.
“There are five large lecture halls (three on the ground floor and two on the second level), three large flat-floor active learning classrooms, and on the upper floors, 20 smaller flexible classrooms. In addition, there are a series of study and collaboration zones throughout as you move up the building,” says Milliron. All the spaces use flexible furniture and intuitive audio-visual equipment to enable active, project-based learning. This was also the case in the building’s lecture halls, explains Milliron: “Each tier has a front row of fixed tables and a back row of fixed tables. The chairs articulate so that you can easily turn around to work with the row of students in front of or behind you. Instructors have the flexibility of switching between traditional lecture and more team-based learning in the same session.”
The Interactive Learning Pavilion's five tiered lecture halls can each seat between 175 to 350 individuals and are set up to be turn-to-team, with swivel chairs so students can collaborate with individuals sitting in the row behind them.
The three project-based learning classrooms (two 50-seat and one 100-seat rooms) are outfitted with technology-enabled tables that seat 6-8 students and feature a large monitor for team collaboration. “The instructor can share content to their monitors or projection onto the screens displayed around the room, and students also have the ability to share their work with the larger class,” she shares. Wireless microphones for professors and ample glass whiteboards supplement the experience.
Classrooms on the upper floors support smaller teacher-to-student ratios and are also equipped with movable furniture and advanced AV technology for active learning. “Having user-friendly AV systems was something that we worked closely with the faculty on to ensure that they could seamlessly change the classroom environment,” says Milliron. “Similar to students turning over the classroom, a different faculty member could be entering the room to setup every class change.”
CEILING CLOUDS
The 9Wood 5200 Style Staggered Perforated Pattern ceiling tiles feature an angled perforation design with a clean border, combining striking aesthetics with excellent acoustic performance. Made with real FSCcertified wood veneer and a hardwood core, these Class A fire-rated tiles are factory stained and finished in a matte sheen. Installed in the Interactive Learning Pavilion’s lecture halls, they offer both beauty and sound attenuation.
Carnegie’s Xorel Meteor and Sequence offer a highly sustainableanddurable textile solution for educational spaces. Water-solvent and bleach-cleanable, Xorel textile solutions are free of PVC, chlorine, and plasticizers— achieved without the use of added coatings or topical treatments. Suitable for wallcovering, wrapped panels, and upholstery, Xorel meets the highest standards in sustainability, including Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver, SCS Indoor Advantage Gold, LEED, and Declare labeling.
Carnegie, Xorel Meteor and Sequence carnegiefabrics.com
LECTURE SEATING
Sedia Systems’ M60 Swing Away system offers a versatile fixed seating solution ideal for modern lecture halls. Designed to support turn-toteam instruction, it features single or dual swing-away seats with auto-return, adjustable pedestals, and concealed floor anchors. Compatible with flat, sloped, or tiered floors, the M60 supports custom finishes, integrated power, wire management, and worksurfaces. Installed in all five lecture halls at the Interactive Learning Pavilion.
Sedia Systems, M60 Swing Away System sediasystems.com
SEAMLESS CEILING
The AcoustiBuilt seamless acoustical ceiling and wall system provides a smooth, monolithic, drywall-like visual (Level 4 equivalent finish) with Total Acoustics and Sustain performance. Combine excellent acoustics and sustainability attributes with efficient installation for a wide variety of spaces on ceilings for wall-to-wall, cloud, curved, sloped, or soffit applications, and in wall applications above 7 ft. Faster and easier to install and repair than acoustical plaster at a lower cost with NRC up to 0.80 and CAC 46.
Armstrong World Industries AcoustiBuilt armstrongceilings.com
INSPIRATION
The interiors capture the essence of the campus and its surroundings through the use of materials and color palettes inspired by its distinctive natural setting. Natural light fills every classroom and the upper floors offer expansive views of the lagoon and ocean.
WINDOW SHADES
The RB500+ Roller Shade system by Hunter Douglas Architectural offers precision performance, flexible design, and sustainable functionality. Its modular design supports both manual and motorized operation, oversized shades, and versatile mounting options. This particular application includes high-performance, eco-certified options like Mermet’s 100%-recyclable GreenScreen Evolve fabric. The RB 500+ system ensures durability, clean aesthetics, and superior light control, optimizing daylight, and occupant comfort.
Hunter Douglas Architectural, RB500+ Roller Shade system hunterdouglasarchitectural.com
Mermet, GreenScreen Evolve fabric mermetusa.com
Moveable furniture, easy-to-use AV, as well as projection and glass whiteboards throughout classrooms enable project-based and active learning. The instruction spaces are conducive to many disciplines and teaching/learning styles.
PROJECTION SCREENS
The Edgeless Clarion borderless fixed projection screen delivers an immersive viewing experience without visible frame interruptions. The screen seamlessly wraps around a perimeter frame for a perfectly flat, uniformly tensioned surface for exceptional image quality. The Edgeless Clarion is ideal for many applications and is available in custom curved configurations.
Draper, Inc., Edgeless Clarion draperinc.com
CARPET TILE
Bentley carpet tile, featured throughout all interior spaces and classrooms at the Interactive Learning Pavilion, blends sustainability, texture, and performance. Styles like Multiplay II and Redux Deux offer dynamic patterns, soft gradients, and bold geometrics in a wide range of colorways. Made with 100% recycled Bentley Premium Nylon, these tiles provide seamless transitions between spaces. As part of Bentley’s Fast Track program, they’re available with quick, 10-day shipping – combining design flexibility with efficient delivery.
Bentley, Multiplay II and Redux Deux bentleymills.com
CLASSROOM CHAIRS
A true multi-purpose chair, Shortcut is an all-around fit for conference rooms, cafes, classrooms, and beyond. Built for durability and comfort, this collection provides many design options for tailored expression and usage.
Steelcase, Shortcut steelcase.com
GLASSBOARDS
Whether it’s wall-mounted, on wheels, attached to a workstation, or sliding across the wall, Clarus glassboards bring new function and design to every space. As the glassboard industry leader, Clarus redefines expectations with faster lead times, white-glove customer service, and the highest grade of craftsmanship. Their awardwinning products ignite imagination, creativity, and team in every space.
Clarus clarus.com
“We wanted to reimagine the classroom building as an open, connected hub at the heart of the campus. The thought was to blur the inside and outside to create public spaces.”
Daylighting analyses helped LMN make sure the classrooms had ample natural light. Interior products, whenever possible, were red-list free and the design palette called upon the coastal landscape for inspiration.
The building was awarded LEED Gold for its passive systems. The all-electric building has won over student, faculty, and administrators. UCSB reported that in its first academic quarter alone, 15,997 enrolled students attended at least one class in the ILP. “It really became a great central hub and a resource at the heart of campus for them,” says Milliron. “We’re really proud of that.”
OUTDOOR LOUNGER
SIXINCH’s Cliffy Collection, designed by Rainer Mutsch, features bold, curvilinear lounge seating with a distinctive ridged form that delivers both visual impact and unexpected comfort. Made from soft foam and available in 30 standard colors and four sizes, Cliffy benches can stand alone or be grouped for striking, flexible layouts.
SIXINCH USA, Cliffy Collection sixinchusa.com
— Jennifer Milliron, Principal, LMN Architects, Seattle, WA
CANVAS ™ / Handmade Brick
Photo courtesy Gretl Crawford Homes
Building design and lighting design work together to pay homage to place and purpose. The Heartland Whole Health Institute was designed to honor the natural elements of the place, while inspiring employees to change the world.
A Lantern in Design & Healthcare Policy
By Jana Madsen
Photography by Tim Hursley
It’s part wellness education, part healthcare advocacy and research, and part community engagement; you can’t put the work of the Heartland Whole Health Institute into a box, which is exactly the kind of directive its founder, Walmart heiress Alice Walton, gave Marlon Blackwell Architects when it came time to design its Bentonville, AR, headquarters. “Initially we won the competition using mass timber and a series of rectangular prisms stacked on each other and she was like, ‘I don’t like boxes. I want things to flow,’ so we used more gentle arcs and bent lines to create geometries that would gently wrap around the edge of the ravine,” explains Marlon Blackwell, Principal, Marlon Blackwell Architects, Fayetteville, AR.
“When folks are outside and arriving at the campus, we wanted the building to feel like a lantern and to feel very natural and calm, but also to have a presence that signals entry into the Crystal Bridges campus.”
The organization’s purpose is to disrupt and transform the current United States healthcare model by encouraging treatment of the whole person (i.e., physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness), as well as increasing access to preventive healthcare (not just sick care). Another priority is fostering connections between nature, art, and health. Much like the varied functions of the nonprofit, its building needed spaces to accommodate a diverse mission. “It’s not a treatment facility. It’s not a therapy place or for consultations,” notes Blackwell. “What they’re focused on is education, information, and how to change policy.” The new facility would be home to the Institute’s team and needed to provide office space for them to execute advocacy work and facilitate education, outreach, and fundraising opportunities. It would also welcome the public with museum-quality art exhibits.
EXTERIOR UPLIGHTS
Designed for ground-recessed lighting applications, the Lumenfacade Inground LED luminaire includes asymmetric wall washing, grazing, and linear wayfinding. Its innovative plug-and-play design simplifies installation, protecting the system from water infiltration and ensuring longlasting performance. Available in four different sizes (12 in., 24 in., 36 in., or 48 in.), it provides a wide choice of outputs, color temperatures, color-mixing systems, optics, and controls.
Lumenpulse, Lumenfacade Inground LED luminaire lumenpulse.com
The building’s structural form is similar to a long-span bridge, with the roof truss supporting floor framing.
—B. Alex Miller, Partner, TM Light, New York, NY
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materirials a informed d much ch of the buildinginng’s s for
o finish s es, inc i luding the dogtrot b brises e soleil fins, s d and giraffe fe sto st ne. ne
STANDING SEAM ROOF
The Heartland Whole Health Institute has 14,000 square feet of Snap-Clad architectural metal roofing, which offers an attractive profile that will look good for decades. Durable, sustainable, and affordable, Snap-Clad is designed to stand up to extreme weather and is extensively tested to meet ASTM standards, as well as holding approvals from Florida, Texas, and more. It’s available in a wide variety of standard PAC-CLAD finishes with a 35-year finish warranty.
Petersen, Snap-Clad pac-clad.com
ROOFING PANELS
MG McGrath, Inc. (MGM)—a leader in the design, fabrication, and installation of architectural surfaces—worked on both the interior and exterior of the Heartland Whole Health Institute, fabricating and installing most of the various metal façade and cladding systems. The sloped roof features 11,000 sq. ft. of the company’s own MGM Hook Seam aluminum roofing panels in a medium bronze finish.
MG McGrath’s most eyecatching work was the installation of 183 brass fins fabricated with MGM’s own custom finish made specifically and exclusively for this project.
MG McGrath mgmcgrath.com
This architectural project was the first on the expansive 134-acre campus since the Moshe Safdie-designed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Located on a forested knoll southeast of the museum, the Heartland Whole Health Institute is one of the first buildings you come to when you visit the campus, which now also contains a Marlon Blackwell Architects-designed parking garage and the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine.
“Heartland Whole Health Institute was started by Alice Walton to rethink how we receive healthcare in this country.”
—Meryati ‘Ati’ Blackwell, Principal and Director of Interiors, Marlon Blackwell Architects, Fayetteville, AR
The Influence of Place
“Alice wanted it to be of the place,” recalls Meryati ‘Ati’ Blackwell, Principal and Director of Interiors, Marlon Blackwell Architects. The architecture of the Heartland Whole Health Institute is surrounded and shaped by nature. The rugged landscape in Northwest Arkansas and the Ozarks is characterized by rocky geological features, caves, bluffs, gorges, woods, rivers, and springs. “[The Heartland Whole Health Institute’s] spaces, materials, and forms, drawn from the site’s karst topography and Ozark forests, enhance the connection to nature and place,” says Marlon.
The three-story, 85,000-sq.-ft. building’s architecture is a combination of curvilinear stone and glass forms whose shape—and the meandering path surrounding it—look as organic as the area’s bluffs and rivers. “One of the things Alice was very particular about was that she wanted a building that would be responsive to the site and the geometries and forms of the existing museum,” Marlon notes.
The building’s trussed roof system enables open spaces and minimal columns. “About halfway through construction we realized, we essentially made a bridge. Floors are hanging from the truss and columns are tensioned,” he says. This long-span structure is apropos for the Crystal Bridges campus.
The Institute’s custom wood ceiling and stairs were made of local pecan hickory wood by an area architectural millwork manufacturer. They are not only sculptural but also hide lighting and other building systems for an interrupted moment of wonder.
Much like how Marlon’s friend, Architect E. Fay Jones, drew inspiration from the themes of cave and forest, this project also pays homage to those natural forms. The design nods to traditional Southern architecture with a dogtrot—an open-air breezeway that promotes natural ventilation. Located on the exterior ground level, this shaded passage provides a place for rest and retreat beneath the upper story. Though open to the air, the space offers a sense of enclosure and refuge reminiscent of a cave.
The main-level façade is clad in stone native to Arkansas and Oklahoma. “There’s a tradition of building with local fieldstone that’s found on the property. You lift it up and put it on the wall with big grout joints. When you’re done, it looks like the skin of a giraffe,” says Marlon. “It’s really our own interpretation of the local vernacular.” Quarried from two locations to get color variation, the application of the giraffe stone required coordination with stone masons to achieve the desired effect. “We did tons of one-to-one mockups to make sure we understood how to make cures with the stone,” he adds. The rock was carefully lit to accentuate grout lines and create an interesting play of shadows. “The criticality of that material is a part of an overall architectural hierarchy and the fact that the rest of the building kind of hovers above this stone, we chose to uplight the entirety of that plinth,” says B. Alex Miller, Partner, TM Light, New York, NY. “We positioned
the wall washers particularly so that we got this really beautiful mix of shade, shadow, and texture.”
“Our client, and the team around her, were not content to be spectators, but wanted to participate in the [design] process. They would make suggestions and be engaged in the presentations. They wanted a true manifestation of the ethos and spirit of the place, and they gave us the reins to do that, which was great.”
—Marlon Blackwell, Principal, Marlon Blackwell Architects, Fayetteville, AR
The Institute’s upper-story mass is treated with a succession of vertical fins that stand tall like the loblolly and shortleaf pines dotting Arkansas woodlands. “On the top [levels of the building] is the forest analog with a series of pre-weathered, brass-cladded fins that is a brise soleil on the east and west side to control the
The interior color palette, design intention, furnishings, and finishes were influenced by Kindred Spirits by Asher Durand, a painting from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. A zoom-out of the colors are rendered below.
FEATURE LUMINAIRE
Nanometer’s NanoFloat Round is the skylight-like oculus that interrupts the wood slat ceiling on the main level. It provides elegant, seamless illumination for walls or ceilings. This edge-lit luminaire is offered in a range of shapes and sizes, dimming options, and kelvin temperatures, making it ideal for diverse applications from corporate to commercial to hospitality. This feature fixture offers soft, shadow-free illumination. It’s available in multiple diameters and with a minimum depth of 0.5 in.
Nanometer Lighting, NanoFloat nanoltg.com
CUSTOM MILLWORK
UDI, Inc., a third-generation family business, specializing in radius and curved millwork created the custom ceiling and stairs at the Heartland Whole Health Institute. The ceiling slats were a labor-intensive process that demanded meticulous attention to detail. UDI’s COO, Adam Weaver, dedicated countless hours to 3D modeling each slat individually to ensure precision. The company sourced 2,500 sheets of Rustic Hickory plywood through Bluelinx a year in advance. Each slat was unique, totaling over 21 miles in running length and milled in the company’s manufacturing facility east of Rogers, AR. The installation team worked tirelessly to install each slat individually, ensuring the final result matched the design vision.
Up and Down Industries (UDI) grandopenings1.com
ACOUSTIC FELT
Felt walls in vertical stripes of varying green colors provide a backdrop to the ground floor’s grand wood staircase. ARO Plank is a wall system composed of modular planks that assemble to create customizable patterns, yielding a continuous, acoustically absorptive architectural finish. Six distinct half round modules are composed of feltcovered acoustic substrate available in eight suggested patterns.
FilzFelt, ARO Plank 1 filzfelt.com
FLOORING
Elevate any space with Daltile Travertine floor tile, an iconic stone cherished since ancient Rome. Available in a neutral cream and brown palette, this timeless tile brings natural charm and character to any design. Available in polished, honed, tumbled, and split face finishes, plus a range of sizes from classic 12 in. × 12 in. to planks and mosaics, Travertine makes a lasting impression in both traditional and contemporary spaces.
Daltile, Travertine daltile.com
COVE LIGHTING
Valent X was used in the cove lighting to wallwash the plaster walls where art is hanging with light. It delivers brilliant, uninterrupted illumination with up to 900 lumens per foot and exceptional 95+ CRI color accuracy, it ensures spaces are vibrant and true to tone. This highdensity LED tape light is field-cuttable, dimmable, UL-listed, and designed for long-lasting performance.
Diode LED, Valent X diodeled.com
Rustic Hickory plywood from Bluelinx bluelinxco.com/ engineered-lumber
GLASS DOORS & PARTITIONS
The Maars Horizon partition system seamlessly blends acoustic performance with a refined minimalistic aesthetic. The laminated glass has an impressive 36 STC acoustic rating. Designed for modern workspaces, Horizon’s glass-to-glass joints and slim aluminum profiles create a clean, minimalistic look that enhance visual openness. Maars’ glazed acoustic doors with full height pull handles are both functional and sophisticated. The entire installation employs 0.5-in. extra clear (low iron) glass, ensuring maximum light transmission and a crystal-clear appearance. The use of curved profiles and glass meet the architect’s light-filled design intent.
Maars Living Walls, Horizon maarslivingwalls.com
A variety of workspaces and a non-hierarchical space plan of open offices provide a workplace that is conducive to movement, collaboration, focus, and calm. Access to views and ample daylight were prioritized to provide a healthy work environment for the Institute’s team.
Mohawk Group's Lichen Community is a biophilic-inspired collection of 12-in. × 36-in. modular carpet tile that embodies a deep commitment to sustainable manufacturing. Produced at Mohawk Group's Living Site facility, this collection is Net Positive for both carbon and water, earning Petal Certification from the International Living Future Institute. Lichen Community uses dematerialization and waste reduction to create a better ecological community. Its refined palette of warm and cool tones, along with neutral accents, is perfect for defining communal spaces and creating unique large-scale installations that are both restorative and inspiring.
Mohawk, Lichen Community mohawkgroup.com
sun but also permit beautiful views and natural light,” Marlon explains. Reducing solar heat gain, these are both practical and beautiful.
TM Light’s exterior lighting plan was developed in collaboration with the architects when the project was in the late schematic design phase. “We were involved early on in physical mockups, both for the giraffe stone and the vertical fins,” says Miller. The firm’s process involves gaining a detailed understanding of the materials used and how light will interact with them, as well as creating an architectural visualization of the lighting plan. “For uplight of the plinth, we did numerous studies of how the light would fade as it got to the top of the wall, how it would cast light on the underside of the upper volume, and even how the fins would receive it at that upper level. There were lots of calculations and analysis by AGI and other software,” Miller adds.
An Outside-Inspired Interior
Connection to nature continued inside the Institute, where art also influenced design. An 1849 oil painting served as a reference. “Beauty and proportion were very important to us. We looked to one of the museum’s paintings, Kindred Spirits by Asher Durand from the Hudson River School. It’s about communing with nature and the landscape,” says Ati. “That painting inspired our interior environment.”
The first floor provides public art galleries, event and education space, as well as a café. Natural elements like travertine flooring, Venetian plaster walls, and abundant use of wood create a design that’s both striking and inviting. Looking like a topographic map, wood slats of varying depths cover much of the Institute’s ceiling plane. “UDI [Up and Down Industries, Inc.] did all the woodwork in the building and the ceiling and stair in beautiful local pecan hickory,” says Marlon.
CARPET
PLASTER WALL FINISH
Armourcoat’s ‘Spatulata’ Polished Plaster is a naturally hardwearing, highly sustainable interior finish that delivers enchanting depth and sheen across walls and ceilings in a wide range of colors. Made in the UK using natural mineral materials, namely aged lime putty and ultra-fine crushed marble, the unique high-gloss finish is hand applied in numerous fine layers, presenting a characterful lustrous patina achieved via the skilled workmanship of the applicator. Spatulata is suitable for application on both flat and curved surfaces, ideal for spaces that require a distinguished elegant aesthetic.
“We’ve had the benefit of working with them before, so they really understand what we’re after.” UDI used a three-axis CNC machine to make all the custom cuts for the installation.
The sculptural wood ceiling not only gives the space natural warmth, but it also conceals lighting. “We’re using architecture as camouflage to hide downlight fixtures for the sake of minimalism, but more primarily so that you see only the architecture and not the secondary systems,” says Miller. “The lighting really disappears within the gaps between the wood.” Both linear cellular downlights and a track system have been employed for ambient and accent lighting.
The wood ceiling stops short of the walls. “We pull it away from the walls and allow an indirect lighting cove to let light leak out of that reveal condition. We have a lot of lighting systems embedded within that cove to illuminate artwork on the
sidewalls. You don’t perceive them, but they’re there,” notes Miller. Hyper glarecontrolled accent lights on a track provide flexibility to illuminate rotating art pieces as exhibits change.
In the expansive entry, an oculus interrupts the slatted wood ceiling, giving the impression of a large skylight. This illusion is, in fact, an edge-lit luminaire. “It’s stretched fabric with a LED matrix panel behind it. It feels a little bit more skylightish during the day and then, as you get into the evening and nighttime, it begins to warm up subtly to match the tones of the rest of the interior lighting,” explains Miller.
Felt walls in vertical stripes of varying green colors provide a backdrop to the ground floor’s grand wood staircase. The felt has acoustical benefits, and its vibrancy reflects the lush tints, shades, and tones of foliage. Surrounded by aweinspiring features, nothing in the interior distracts from its beauty.
The Institute’s meditation room offers the public and employees a place of respite. The unique space is characterized by 30-ft.-tall Venetian plaster walls, sunshine from an unseen skylight above, and indirect linear light at the base. Diode LED’s Neon Blaze was used to light the meditation room.
Carpet in the upper story offices was selected for its moss-like texture and upholstered furniture in a palette of earthy hues supports the calm nature-inspired ethos.
MEDITATION ROOM
LIGHTING
Two lighting products from Diode LED were deployed at the Heartland Whole Health Institute. Diode LED's Neon Blaze was used to light along the stairs. NEON BLAZE is a flexible LED lighting solution that delivers consistent, dot-free illumination. Available in static white, tunable white, and vibrant colors, it is field-cuttable, dimmable, UL listed, and IP65 rated for indoor and outdoor use. With reliable performance and a sleek neon look, it’s ideal for architectural features, signage, and creative design applications.
Diode LED, Neon Blaze diodeled.com
BRASS CLADDING PANELS AND TRIM
MG McGrath's additional 16,000 sq.-ft. of concealedfastener brass cladding panels were also installed on the exterior walls, entrances, and walkway ceilings in the same matching finish. Lastly, brass trim pieces were installed at the interior staircases. In total, MGM fabricated, custom-finished, and installed around 100,000 sq.-ft. of custom muntz brass for the project.
MG McGrath mgmcgrath.com
STAIRCASE CUSTOM MILLWORK
The staircase’s combination of precise angles and complex radii made fabrication and installation particularly demanding. UDI sourced quarter-sawn hickory veneers from Indiana Plywood, carefully slip-matched and sequenced to create a seamless visual flow.
UDI iaplywood.com
Simple, budget-conscious lighting was used throughout the project, often concealed so fixtures don’t detract from architectural moments.
HIDDEN DOWNLIGHTS
APX3 is a powerful ambient lighting fixture featuring a precise cutoff angle and recessed cell-lens technology for a discreet, minimal presence. Pairing highpower LEDs with a compact optical system, it carefully channels light through single cells joined into linear systems—like a beehive, each element forms a stronger whole. Available in 4-, 8-, and 12-ft. nominal lengths, it installs faster with slotted mounting tops, no internal disassembly, and product lengths that exactly match nominal dimensions.
A-Light Architectural Lighting, APX3 alights.com
LIGHTING CONTROLS
Lutron’s Athena system is an adaptable, all-inone commercial solution integrating lighting, shades, controls, and cloud-connected software. Supporting wired and wireless control, Athena enables dynamic lighting scenes, automated shade management, daylight harvesting, and occupancy sensing to optimize energy efficiency while providing an exceptional occupant experience. Delivering native in-fixture control, the coin-sized Athena wireless node streamlines installation and reduces labor and materials. A cloud-connected dashboard allows for centralized oversight of lighting, shading, and building analytics, meeting evolving workplace, tenant, and sustainability demands.
Lutron, Athena system commercial.lutron.com
HIDDEN LIGHTING
“The moments in the design, like that big entry stair, for example, are not competing with any dangling light coming down. The lights are in support of the other moments in the building. What we love about TM Light is that they understand the assignment. The staircase is made twice as beautiful because of the way the light partners with the component,” says Ati. “The focus isn’t on a light fixture, it’s on the space,” adds Marlon.
“The
floor plates of this building are quite thin. There are not many views when you’re inside where you do not see a huge expanse of windows. You’re always registered to the natural environment beyond you.”
—B.
Alex Miller, Partner, TM Light, New York, NY
Recognizing the mental health benefits and improved focus when workers have views of nature, large expanses of windows were incorporated into the design. “It was important for us to make sure we got good lighting and good views,” notes Ati. The narrow footprint of floors two and three made that possible. “It’s a relatively thin building. Up top, it’s about 50 ft. [wide]. Natural light travels about 25 ft. inside so you get a really incredible office environment,” adds Marlon.
The offices were pulled away from exterior walls and located in the heart of the interior, ensuring that everyone has access to daylight and views. Enclosed offices feature huge expanses of curved glass that set boundaries without obstructing daylight and sightlines to the outdoors. “Addressing the interior to minimize reflection in that glass was very much considered. For us, it’s all about allowing the [artificial] light to exist without interfering with your view of nature,” notes Miller.
The second floor supports approximately a hundred people working toward the Heartland Whole Health Institute’s mission. Employees for the Art Bridges Foundation, another one of Walton’s nonprofits, work on the third floor to get American art out of storage and into communities. Both floors supply ample opportunities to work in a variety of formal and informal spaces. “Alice was looking for something open and more democratic. You are invited to move around the building and the site to work. There’s probably 20 different places you can work,” Marlon explains.
PENDANT LIGHTING
The Muuto E27 Pendant Lamp joins together the ideas of industrial design and Scandinavian simplicity. With its naked LED bulb and sleek socket in a playful silicone rubber material, the design makes for a simple yet distinctive addition to any space. Use the E27 Pendant Lamp on its own or in clusters for any space in a home, workplace, restaurant, educational institution or retail space. Muuto, E27 Pendant Lamp muuto.com
Office workers that need a moment to center can pop into the second-floor meditation space. With its 30-ft.-tall walls finished in the soft luster of Venetian plaster, the space provides a calming glow. “In the rest of the office spaces, you’re looking outward and it’s a very horizontal understanding of light. In this case, it’s more vertical,” explains Miller. “In the meditation space, there’s only two sources of light: a skylight at the top that allows daylight in and indirect linear light around the base.” The effect is instantly calming, and the space has proved popular with employees. “What’s happening is they’re even having meetings in there now sitting cross-legged on the floor,” shares Ati.
Opened in May 2025, employees and visitors alike have all deemed the building a success for the way it fosters a connection between the built environment and well-being. With its organic forms and regional references, Blackwell’s design for the Heartland Whole Health Institute is a beacon for better buildings.
Innovation & Midwestern Charm
There is an undeniable beauty in the functional. This collection of new products provides problem-solving innovations helping design teams bring balcony spaces to affordable housing and meeting stretch codes with nextgeneration thermal performance. There is also
“To think of the Midwest as a whole as anything other than beautiful is to ignore the extraordinary power of the land. ... There is room to breathe, there is a realness of place.”
an aesthetic trend in this group that carries a distinct, honest, Midwestern charm. From imperfect tile to images of lush and rolling landscapes, the products on these next few pages appeal to several sensibilities.
This new collection of images offers more options for transforming windowless rooms with natural landscapes. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our latest Midwest & Plains Collection featuring stunning proprietary photography skillfully captured by our talented artists. Skyview will adapt your preferred image to accommodate the OpenView Luminous Virtual Window wall configuration.
A Closed Cavity Façade (CCF) is a type of double-skin façade in which the cavity between the inner and outer glass façade is sealed. This cavity is the functional core of the system and contains sunblinds. It is kept climatically stable through controlled ventilation with dry air under slight overpressure. This prevents the ingress of moisture, dust and insects, and protects the technical components installed within the cavity.
SEE ULTRA HIGH-DEF MIDWESTERN SCENES THROUGH VIRTUAL WINDOWS
PROJECT SPECS
Architect/Designer: David Baker Architects
General Contractor: James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corp
Installer: O’Kane Structural Steel
Photography: Brian’s Perspective
Designed primarily for multifamily housing, hospitality, and student housing, the system has also been installed in affordable housing projects due to its economical construction and long-term performance benefits.
JUST THE TWO VERTICAL ATTACHMENT POINTS
Bolt-On Balcony is a groundbreaking solution for modern buildings that reimagines the conventional balcony system. Purposefully engineered to eliminate common pain points such as water intrusion, heavy structural demands, and unsightly support elements, the Bolt-On Balcony offers a streamlined, architecturally clean approach that integrates seamlessly with building façades. Central to the innovation is BŌK’s patented Plate Truss technology. The Bolt-On Balcony employs a folded plate design that creates an integrated truss structure with fewer components and enhanced strength. This system enables the entire balcony to be supported by just two vertical attachment points at the façade, which connect to framing members already present in the structure. The design eliminates the need for cantilevered steel, excessive welding, and rod-and-clevis hangers, offering a cleaner visual result and a dramatically simplified installation process. “The Bolt-On Balcony, with its integrated plate truss support system, not only results in a more elegant aesthetic, but can be manufactured in 100% aluminum with no risk of future rusting compromising the integrity of the system,” said BŌK Modern co-founder, Russ Naylor.
BŌK Modern Bolt-On Balcony bokmodern.com
AN HONEST, IMPERFECT BEAUTY
Bow emerges from the meeting of earth and form. Each piece carries the imprint of craftsmanship: soft surfaces, gentle variations, the imperfect beauty of fired clay. Its warm tones fill the space with a sense of closeness and balance. There is a quiet rhythm in this collection that connects with what is essential— an honest, intimate language, rich in nuance.
DNA Tiles Bow Collection dnatiles.com
NEXT-GENERATION THERMAL PERFORMANCE
The Series 3000 XT and 6000 XT High Performance Storefront systems feature thin triple insulating glass units (IGUs) and deliver industry-leading U-factors as low as 0.20, setting a new standard for thermal performance. These next-generation systems incorporate thin triple IGUs to deliver up to 25% better thermal performance than traditional double-glazed storefront systems, all without increasing system depth. Engineered to meet IECC Climate Zones 3 through 8, with a focus on regions like the Northeast and Northwest where higher performance standards and stretch codes are driving demand, these high-performance versions of OBE’s trusted Series 3000 XT and 6000 XT Storefront systems feature dual pour and debridge thermal break, optimizing both thermal performance and condensation resistance.
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
Series 3000 XT and 6000 XT High Performance Storefront Systems obe.com
NEW FINISHES FOR HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE
Trespa Meteon offers seven finishes that not only give physical durability to High Pressure Laminate (HPL) panels but also enrich decors with a natural look and feel as well. Each finish is selected to enhance the Trespa Meteon product, whether it is a Uni Color, Natural, Wood, Focus, Metallic or Lumen product.
Finishes transform the surface, allowing architects to play with color, pattern and texture.
Using lines and texture to define spaces and create visual impact, STYX by Construction Specialties integrates aesthetics and functionality in interior and exterior settings. The architectural system uses independently fastened linear profiles—with its Quick Lock attachment system it installs in three steps— that can hug walls or ceilings while pre-made corners with right angles are attached in vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientations. Offered in three standard depths and up to 10-ft. long, the sticks can have LEDs integrated to further enhance visual impact.
Construction Specialties STYX c-sgroup.com
SUPPORT HIGH-CONTRAST DESIGNS
The Ply Gem 1500 Vinyl Collection Windows and Patio Doors are now available with black interior and exterior options to meet demand for high-contrast designs with dependable performance. Using coextrusion technology, the color is integrated directly into the vinyl during manufacturing along with UV inhibitors and reflective pigments to provide color retention as well as weather and heat buildup resistance. Beyond color, the vinyl collection comes in a range of glass packages for thermal efficiency and can be ordered with ENERGY STAR certification for any climate zone.
Cornerstone Building Brands
ROOF VENTING SYSTEM
An expansion to its line of architectural metal cladding systems, the PAC-Shield CV roof venting system by PAC-CLAD Petersen, a Carlisle Company maintains consistent roof temperatures to prevent the meltfreeze cycle that causes ice dams while also promoting healthy airflow and supporting better indoor air quality. Ideal for use with metal, slate, tile, and shingle roofs, and recommended on steep-slope applications of 3:12 or greater, the ventilated composite insulation panel includes a 4-ft x 8-ft. layer of closed-cell rigid polyisocyanurate (delivers R-5.7 to R-20.5), integrated wood spaces that create a standard one-inch air gap, and a top layer of APA-TECO-rated OSB or plywood.
Ply Gem 1500 Vinyl Collection Windows and Patio Doors cornerstonebuildingbrands.com PAC-CLAD Petersen, a Carlisle Company
Honor Your Design. Rely on the Right Fire Safety.
Take the worry out of compromising your inspired building design to fire-safety requirements with reliable Aluflam vision doors, windows and glazed walls, fired-rated for up to 120 minutes. This pioneering system is fabricated from true extruded aluminum and is indistinguishable from non-fire-rated doors and windows.
METAL BEAM BAFFLES & GOOD ACOUSTICS
The first metal ceiling baffles with the potential to incorporate stone wool infill. This design solution redefines what’s possible for North American design professionals by delivering powerful acoustic benefits, stunning aesthetics, and flexible customization. Stone wool is manufactured with primarily basalt rock, using a process similar to what occurs inside a volcano. Its properties make it inherently sound absorbent, moisture and fire resistant, and durable.
Rockfon
Rockfon Sequence Linear Metal Beam Baffles rockfon.com
CULTURED STONE
Inspired by the tranquility of vast desert landscapes, Salt Flat from Cultured Stone by Westlake Royal Building Products blends understated light grays and soft warm whites with a subtle mica overlay for a nuanced, versatile neutral. Available in the Cobblefield profile, the tailored lines and chiseled-cut surface complement a variety of classic and contemporary designs. Its rugged refinement suits interior and exterior applications and pairs well with a wide range of colors, textures and design elements.
BIODEGRADABLE VINYL PRODUCT
Proving high performance and environmental responsibility can coexist, Hyphyn by Nassimi is a biodegradable performance vinyl product that delivers commercial-grade durability while biodegrading over 90% within two years in landfill conditions. Engineered with a patented enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation, the coated upholstery fabrics are designed to perform like traditional vinyl with stain resistance, cleanability, durability, and versatility and now the ability to break down safely at the end of its useful life. The vinyl product is sold through premier fabric distributors.
LUMINESCENT DECORATIVE GLAZED BRICK
This new, innovative glazed brick responds to changing light conditions throughout the day, helping you create striking brick facades that command attention while offering demonstrated durability and streamlined installation. Unlike typical decorative brick options, Luminescent features an exclusive coarse velour texture that maximizes its dynamic surface properties. Available in four contemporary colors, this refined face brick enhances architectural designs with its unique light-responsive finish while offering improved mortar adhesion and simplified three-sided application.
Cultured Stone by Westlake Royal Building Products Salt Flat westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com
Belden Brick Luminescent beldenbrick.com
Nassimi Hyphyn nassimi.com
SLIDING PANELS
Available in walnut or oak, Sail is a sliding panel that can divide spaces and function as a beautiful piece of furniture that creates sophisticated and elegant interiors. This custom product can be made in any height and width to adapt to any existing opening. The exclusive ceiling and wall fixed rail system, patented to guarantee maximum design simplicity and total architectural integration, is composed of different functional elements that distinguish its uniqueness.
Rimadesio
Sail Architectural Sliding Panels rimadesio.it
MOON-LOOK RAINSCREEN PANELS
EQUITONE is a high-strength cement rainscreen panel designed for use in open-joint, ventilated facade systems. Unlike medium-density siding or board-and-batten alternatives, it delivers durability, weather resistance and impact strength. EQUITONE [lunara] offers builders a versatile material to make any design possible. The rough unpolished fiber cement resembles a moon landscape—hence its name. The material is ideal to combine a unique look with a natural feel. The large cladding panels are available in two contemporary colors.
SOM realizes the first mass timber, Net Zero energy civic building in the U.S. and addresses special acoustic considerations to deliver an office space that's getting rave reviews for many reasons.
By Barbara Horwitz-Bennett, contributing writer
Earning the distinction of the country’s first net-zero and mass timber civic building, Silicon Valley’s new San Mateo County Office Building (COB) 3 is pushing the boundaries on truly sustainable design. Onsite solar arrays coupled with a power-purchase agreement with a local utility supply 108% of the building’s energy needs, and a highly strategic design delivered an 85% reduction in structural embodied carbon compared to conventional construction. “This building brings the government closer to the people and sets a new national standard for what a civic building can represent,” stated San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa at the building’s dedication this past spring in Redwood City.
Photography by Dave Burk
Custom Layup
In support of Net Zero energy goals, JA Solar photovoltaic panels are installed on the roof of COB 3 and the adjacent Parking Structure 2 through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). All associated renewable energy credits (RECs) are retained by the project and integrated into the LEED commissioning process. The panels offset annual energy use, providing a key component of the building’s renewable energy strategy.
Solar
The BYCIUM+ cell with high-density encapsulation technology delivers better low-light performance, lower temperature influence, excellent reliability, lower degradation, and higher power and efficiency.
JA Solar, DeepBlue 4.0 Series Jasolar.com
Exterior Panels
POHL’s copper anodized aluminum on the aluminum cladding creates a very hard, scratch-resistant surface. 100% recyclable.
POHL Inc. of America pohl-facades.com/en
Willis Construction
Precast Concrete willisconstruction.com
ExteriorCoating
Linetec’s copper anodized finish on the metal panels applies actual copper to color the aluminum while isolating the copper in the coating. The process makes the copper color very stable and consistent, and not prone to patina. The material meets all standard performance and weathering tests.
Linetec linetec.com
In addition to the mass timber and glazing, the building façade features precast panels at the base and copper-anodized aluminum.
Building Shape and Performance
A 40% window-to-wall ratio and an H-shaped design with relatively narrow, 65-ft.-wide, floorplates helps maximize daylighting. Vertical fins on the east and west facades shade the low sun angle and the recessed glazing designed within the “H” on the north and south sides helps limit sun exposure, thereby enhancing comfort and lowering cooling loads. The team tested shading geometries and adjusted accordingly to optimize glare and solar heat gain reduction.
A 40% window-to-wall ratio, an H-shaped building form and relatively narrow 65-ft.-wide floorplates helps maximize daylighting, and vertical fins provide shading.
From an urban design perspective, the building links two distinct and previously disconnected neighborhoods of Redwood City: the civic campus to the east and the downtown commercial core to the west.
“The building’s H-shaped plan, with two corner cuts, stands out from this context and creates outdoor areas opening in two directions,” says SOM’s Javier Arizmendi principal and lead designer, whose firm did the architecture and structural engineering for the project. “The fully glazed lobby at the center of the H reads both as a gathering place and as through space between the two plazas.”
Bollard Lighting
Bega Bollards can be designed to deliver asymmetrical, flat beam or wide side flat beam light distribution. The asymmetrical option directs the light to all areas and is well suited for wide paths and open spaces. The flat beam orientation is used for precise and efficient illumination along narrow paths and the wide flat beam light distribution produces uniform illumination, even when the luminaires are spaced further apart, and is ideal for long pathways and outdoor squares.
Bega bega.com
Lighting
The Neri Hydra is a high-end urban lighting luminaire featuring a unique spherical shape. Housed in a highly reflective mixing chamber protected by a tempered glass with a phosphorus overlay, the system is designed to deliver a warm LED light with a luminous flux of up to 5,000 lm.
Neri, Hydra neri.biz
Lighting
Designed in collaboration with architect SOM, the Neri Nebula urban lighting solution is suitable for contemporary and historical applications. Available in three luminaire head types, the optical package is comprised of 8 geometries. Offering a luminous flux from 2,500 lm to 6,000 lm per light source, the system can be specified with a transparent or prismatic glass screen in a range of color temperatures.
Neri, Nebula neri.biz
Passive Design & Ventilation
SOM’s passive design strategy incorporates 190 Schüco AWS 114 operable windows that are automated via a control system tied into the Building Management System (BMS). The system tracks indoor and outdoor conditions, opening and closing the windows accordingly. At COB 3, the windows provide natural ventilation for approximately half of operating hours. The building is also designed to create passive cooling each night, when outdoor conditions are mild, with a night flush.
The Night Flush
A night-flush protocol pre-cools the building with evening air. This night flush strategy leverages the Bay Area’s temperate climate to cool the building passively. Overnight, the automated operable windows open to allow cooler outdoor air to flush out heat accumulated during the day.
This reduces the need for mechanical cooling during peak hours, contributing to the building’s energy efficiency and Net Zero goals.
Daytime Cross-Ventilation
Due to the shallow floor plates, cross-ventilation levels are significant, supporting an overall reduction in daytime mechanical loads and enhancing occupant comfort. Cross-ventilation (east–west) is recommended where feasible; however, most areas rely on single-sided ventilation, with the system
focusing on passive cooling rather than supplying conditioned ventilation directly to occupants.
Efficient HVAC Systems
To meet the targeted energy consumption value of 23.1 kBtu/SF/year, which is 30 percent lower than that of a typical office in the area, Meyers + Engineers specified a variable-air-volume (VAV) HVAC system, perimeter fan coil units, a heatrecovery chiller and air-source heat pumps.
“Hydronic fan coil units deliver efficient heating and cooling at the perimeter while reducing fan energy, and the VAV system in the core adjusts airflow to match occupancy, minimizing waste,” states Arizmendi. “Together, these strategies achieved a 54 percent reduction in heating energy and a 19 percent reduction in cooling energy.”
By organizing the building into four circulation cores and two office wings, the team saved time, cost and carbon with repetitive, standardized systems for each section.
“This has been a great experience to come to work in a brand-new building that’s green, that takes care of itself when it comes to energy,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier at the dedication. “It allows me to come to work and be proud every day.”
Windows
Available as a parallel-opening or projected top-hung window, the Schüco AWS 114 window system is designed as a large vent format. This versatility makes the system easy to integrate with assorted façade geometries including high vent heights. The window is designed with a standard insulating glazing and a continuous glazing bead.
Schüco, AWS 114 window system schueco.com/de-en
Mass Timber Structure
This civic project challenged SOM to address both embodied and operational carbon with a design that could be built within budget. Mass timber emerged as the logical choice for many reasons.
When compared to steel, wood’s lighter weight reduced the foundation size and material use, and prefabricated panels sped up construction and minimized waste.
Because California abides by the 2015 International Building Code tall mass timber provisions, this provided a helpful structure in presenting UL testing, mockups and proven detailing to secure approvals from the local AHJs and fire officials. In addition, the use of off-the-shelf details streamlined the inspection and review process.
“The structure features glulam columns and beams of Douglas Fir from Oregon, paired with 5-ply CrossLaminated Timber (CLT) decks using Douglas Fir outer layers and Sitka Spruce inner layers,” explains Arizmendi. “A custom layup was developed to meet strength and visual performance requirements.
”The exposed timber also doubles as a finish, eliminating close to 60% of the acoustical ceilings and creating an inviting, beautiful aesthetic. The exposed timber wraps around the lobby with wood ceiling and wall slats used all around the building.
San Mateo County Office Building 3, in Redwood City, Calif., is the first civic facility in the U.S. that is both net zero and mass timber.
Glulam columns and beams of Douglas Fir from Oregon, paired with 5-ply Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) decks using Douglas Fir outer layers and Sitka Spruce inner.
The lightweight construction of mass timber posed acoustic challenges in the public hearing room, where sound quality was essential for public speaking, live-streaming, and archival recordings.
Ceiling and Wall Blades
Rulon’s Panel Grille presents a ladder-like appearance with equally-spaced wood blades. The blades, layouts and attachment methods are all customizable with easy access to the plenum.
This 1-in. deflection spring hanger is designed for acoustically isolated drywall ceilings, most commonly used in concrete structures. One notable feature is the pre-compression bracket above the spring that prevents uplift and makes attaching drywall simple.
Acousthetics / acousthetics.com
Seating
Specially designed for acoustically-sensitive performing arts centers, theatres, auditoriums and conference centers, the elegant Figueras seat is made with an inner frame of beech wood and interlaced elastic belts covered with open cell polyurethane foam. Controlled Soft Rise Technology enables the seat to slowly fold up without banging. Aptum 247 is available in assorted dimensions, inclinations, configurations and finish options.
Figueras, Aptum 247 figueras.com
Public Hearing Room
In order to achieve sound isolation from the floor above, the acoustical consultant, Salter, and the design team integrated a Kinetics Noise Control ICC spring-isolated ceiling, which was attached to the CLT deck.
To control reverberation and improve speech intelligibility within the hearing room, wall-mounted, sound absorbing panels were incorporated. These white, powder-coated, perforated metal panels, provided by durlum, were installed in a stepped and angled pattern with integrated light coves that would emit a soft glow.
Ceiling System
The Aluratone PERFection Wood Veneer Acoustical Ceiling System is comprised of a face veneer with precision-drilled holes, back drilled to intersect face holes for sound absorption, and a factory-applied acoustical black backing. The system combines the warmth and beauty of wood with high-performance acoustics.
Rulon International, Aluratone PERFection Wood Veneer rulonco.com rulonco com
“All occupants benefit from a design approach centered on biophilia, creating a sense of connection to nature. Timber wraps the lobby interior, and wood slatting continues as a motif throughout the building, echoing the exposed wood structural frame. The abundance of natural wood creates a soothing, visibly low-carbon environment. Natural ventilation and views toward the surrounding landscape further contribute to well-being.”
—SOM
Views & Access to Nature
Multi-Slide Doors from Panda are ideal for large spaces and uncompromised views. The glazed panels slide smoothly into hidden pockets via premium rolling hardware. Panels can be as large as 8-in. wide and 12-in. high. The system is available in wood and aluminum
Panda Windows and Doors Multi-Slide Doors panda-windows.com
Acoustic Panels
A planar piece with sleek vertical channels that can also wrap a radius, covering pillars and other architectural elements.
An acoustic rating of NRC .35 (Material).
Turf, Tubular turf.design
Mass timber provides a significant reduction in building mass, which impacts the way that sound is managed in the space and can require the thoughtful addition of acoustic materials.
Acoustic Baffles
With its classic slabstyle design, Beam baffles deliver a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating of between 0.80 and 1.15 depending on the depth and spacing of the baffles. The PET felt in the product is made with up to 60% pre-consumer recycled content. Pairing acoustics with lighting, Beam LED integrates luminaires inside the baffles.
Turf, Beam baffles turf.design
modules are made with Soft Sound material.
With its hidden fin-to-fin alignment, a continuous design aesthetic is created. The product’s custom formulated material thickness and density ensures rigidity that limits deflection. Easily removable fins and open structure lends easy access to lights, HVAC, rigging points, plumbing, AV equipment and life safety systems for maintenance.
Arktura, Square arktura.com
Acoustic Ceiling
Square’s acoustic ceiling
Large-Scale Data Centers Demand High-Performance Building Envelopes That Install Quickly
Kingspan IMPs help NTT achieve its aesthetic and thermal performance goals.
NTT is one of the world’s largest data center providers. The company’s new 47-acre data center campus in Hillsboro, OR is a strategic expansion to its global data center portfolio, which encompasses over 160 data centers across more than 20 countries.
Data centers must meet stringent building codes and high energy-efficiency requirements. Architects Corgan and CAI Architects Inc. selected Kingspan insulated metal panels (IMPs) for the building envelope of the new facility, NTT Data Center HI2. With R-values of up to 8.0 per inch, Kingspan IMPs provide strong thermal efficiency that minimizes the need for excessive heating or cooling—which is crucial in the operation of large-scale data centers. These insulation properties help regulate internal temperatures and reduce operational energy costs.
KS Series IMPs provide unique aesthetics through a wide range of profiles while delivering supreme thermal performance.
Nearly 31,000 sq. ft. of Kingspan KS Micro-Rib panels were used in construction, providing a highly efficient barrier, while offering an aesthetically pleasing appearance. These panels, applied vertically, have a sleek design with a tight, ribbed profile that adds visual appeal to the building. The clean lines give the data center a contemporary but professional look.
The color finishes of the panels, including a custom silver polish and a lighter gray color, provided a modern aesthetic that complemented the cuttingedge technology housed within the facility.
In addition to the thermal efficiency and aesthetic properties of Kingspan’s IMPs, these panels are a prefabricated, ready-to-install, single-component system. This means that construction of the facility
THE ADVANTAGES OF IMPS
IMPs are helping developers cut timelines, reduce operating costs, and future-proof facilities as the demand for data centers continues to grow..
only required one installer—Streimer Sheet Metal Works, Inc.—rather than multiple trades, reducing the need for field labor. This helped to keep the project on schedule.
Delivering a full air and water barrier, Kingspan’s IMPs also provide excellent protection against all of Oregon’s weather, including rain, snow, and high winds.
This facility is now part of NTT’s global network of data centers, supporting the fast-growing demand for data processing and storage. IMPs helped ensure that this facility is a state-of-theart hub, delivering a reliable, aesthetic, and thermally efficient building envelope.
Enhanced Accessibility in Oncology Exam Rooms Designed by TSA Architects
A recent renovation to the Intermountain Cancer Center at McKay-Dee Hospital, in Utah, used commercial sliding doors to optimize the interior for space-use, accessibility, and end-user experience.
TSA Architects transformed Intermountain Health’s McKay-Dee Cancer Center by consolidating comprehensive services into a single, convenient location, offering patients easy access to chemotherapy, clinical trials, genetic counseling, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology—all under one roof.
These calming exam rooms were each designed with two doors, providing separate access paths for patients and caregivers.
According to the architects, “The Radiation Oncology Therapy Suite within the Cancer Center represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment—leveraging innovative technology to elevate industry standards and enhance patient care. The suite boasts the best linear accelerator vault in the Intermountain Health system, equipped with advanced tumor tracking and positioning capabilities. Moreover, the suite is designed to accommodate a diverse range of
patients—including those with mobility impairments—ensuring equitable access to cuttingedge care in a soothing, healing, and aesthetically pleasing environment while also providing greater functionality for staff.”
One of the products helping the team at TSA to achieve this improved vision was the ExamSlide sliding door system from AD Systems. These doors eliminated swing arc trajectories to support a dualentry approach and more accessible opening dimensions and clearances. They also contribute to easy wayfinding and improved acoustic isolation to enhance patient experience and meet provider needs.
According to Nathan Murray, design partner and Vice President at TSA Architects, “AD Systems’ sliding doors are very high-quality; they’re durable, well-engineered and look sharp.” Designed to be resilient, these systems can also be customized to fit a range of design challenges. Murray concludes, “I’ve worked on many cancer centers throughout the West, including what I’ll say are the best in Utah, and the Intermountain Cancer Center—McKay-Dee
Hospital, represents the latest evolution in cancer treatment.”
The ExamSlide sliding door system is a heavy-duty, top-hung roller system that provides smooth operation without floor tracks, which keeps maintenance low, and an aluminum perimeter frame wraps around the wall opening to protect drywall and resist impact. Choosing this sliding door saves up to 30 sq. ft., when compared to a traditional swing door. ExamSlide also meets rigorous demands of today’s LEAN-model healthcare facilities.
EXAM ROOMS WITH TWO ENTRY POINTS
Patients enter the exam rooms from an on-stage access point whereas caregivers enter from the off-stage side immediately contiguous to their internal collaborative work areas.
Cancer Center at McKay-Dee Hospital Ogden, Utah
Design Team: TSA Architects
PRODUCTS: AD Systems ExamSlide specadsystems.com
Keeping Cold Air at Bay in Commercial Spaces
Wall and ceiling heaters eliminate drafts in heated spaces.
By Andrew Martin, Senior Product Manager, Marley Engineered Products
Whether it’s through the constant opening and closing of doors, vents, unsealed windows or cracks and crevices in the building’s foundation, cold air will creep into facilities any way it can. This cool air can make indoor temperatures uncomfortable for occupants and reduce the overall heating efficiency of the facility. Specialized heating units are designed to stop drafts in their tracks before they spread throughout a building.
Fan-forced wall and ceiling heaters with an automatic delay feature eliminate cold drafts on start-up and discharge residual heat from the heater body during shut down, helping attack drafts at their source, making the best use of available heat, and prolonging the life of the heater. To maintain desirable comfort levels, facilities should consider
fan-forced wall or ceiling heaters equipped with integrated thermostats or BMS connections for easy adjustment of room temperatures.
A hotel’s vestibule, for example, may experience high amounts of foot traffic during check-in and check-out hours. Because less people are coming and going outside of these times, the adjustable thermostat feature allows facilities to alter their heating output needs to ensure heat is not misused and temperatures remain comfortable.
Berko and QMark commercial fan-forced wall heaters from Marley Engineered Products complement a room’s décor while supplying an appropriate amount of warmth no matter the time of year.
PRODUCTS: Marley Engineered Products
Berko and QMark commercial fan-forced wall heaters marleymep.com
“Bringing natural light into the LIFE Senior Services pickleball and basketball courts was paramount to us, and Solatube helped us do that beautifully. The diffused daylight is a perfect complement to the overall lighting solution for an active space like this.”
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Bringing Daylight to the Pickleball Court
Tubular Daylighting Devices provide ample, glare-free daylight keeping players comfortable.
LIFE Senior Services is a Tulsa-based nonprofit dedicated to helping adults over 50 maintain independence, dignity and quality of life. As part of an expansion of its Roma Berry campus, LIFE added a new 8,450-sq.-ft. recreation facility to house indoor pickleball and basketball courts. The new addition was designed to support active aging and provide older adults with a safe, engaging space for movement and connection. To meet those goals, the design team prioritized natural daylight as a key component in creating an environment that felt bright, welcoming and energy efficient.
The project team needed to deliver high-quality daylight into a large, open indoor pickleball and basketball court—without introducing glare, excess heat, or visual discomfort for players. Traditional skylights posed concerns related to uneven light distribution, heat gain, and design limitations in the low-slope roof structure.
At the same time, the court was intended to be more than just a recreational space—it was a key part of LIFE Senior Services’ wellness-focused approach to aging. The lighting solution needed to support visibility, comfort and energy efficiency while also contributing to the overall well-being of older adults by creating a bright, uplifting environment that encourages movement and social connection.
Solatube Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs) were selected to meet the project’s daylighting goals. Twelve SolaMaster 330 DS-O units with integrated daylight dimmers were installed by Specialties Plus, Inc., Solatube International’s commercial distributor and certified installer in Oklahoma.
The units were evenly spaced to deliver full-spectrum daylight across the recreation facility, creating a bright and visually comfortable playing environment. Unlike traditional skylights, the TDDs require minimal structural modification, offer superior control over light output and provide daylight without increasing indoor temperature—helping to keep the facility comfortable year-round.
The built-in daylight dimmers allow staff to adjust light levels for different activities or conditions, offering flexibility for community use beyond pickleball.
The installation of Solatube TDDs in the new recreation facility successfully met the project’s goals for daylighting, comfort and functionality. The interior, which houses indoor pickleball and basketball, is now naturally illuminated with bright, evenly distributed daylight that enhances visibility and supports safe movement for senior users.
The improved lighting quality has created a more welcoming and energetic environment, contributing to higher usage of the court and positive feedback from both staff and participants. Facility managers report greater flexibility in how the space is used throughout the day, thanks to the integrated dimmers that allow for customized lighting levels during various activities.
LIFE Senior Services Tulsa, Oklahoma
Design Team: Narrate Design Solatube Distributor/ Installer: Specialties Plus
PRODUCTS: Solatube
SolaMaster 330 DS-O units with dimmers solatube.com
Civic Architect, Public Servant
HDR’s Civic Architectural Director of the Central Region Julianne Scherer shares insights into civic work and its rewards.
From Chicago to Denver to the larger U.S. central region, HDR Architect Julianne Scherer, aia, ncarb, leed ap bd+c, has always placed community at the center of her work and focus as an architect.
Through this passion she has migrated towards civic projects where she sees herself as a steward of community dollars to help craft spaces that enhance daily life. As part of this mandate, Scherer takes the time to get to know the communities she is designing for and really listen to their voices.
“Civic
work requires an open heart. It’s not about defending your design at all costs; it’s about embracing healthy discourse and being willing to adapt.”
-Julianne Scherer
“Whether it's a park you walk through, the library you visit, the community or recreation center that supports your fitness, wellness or after school programs, civic architecture shapes the places where community happens. It’s purposeful, impactful and deeply rooted in service,” she states.
After graduating from Penn State in architecture, Scherer spent 23 years working for the mid-sized Chicago firm Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, rising to the position of principal. The opportunity to help manage an HDR office then brought her to Denver, where she's been involved in several projects of note, including the renovation of the Jefferson County Public Library’s Belmar branch in Lakewood, Colo., and preserving and updating the historic Wyoming State Capital and Herschler State Office Building.
For the former project, Scherer’s team led small group community and staff meetings, and conducted online surveys. After determining where to prioritize updates, the architects reconfigured the layout, creating more active areas and dedicated zones for quiet study, collaboration, reading, and areas for youth and children.
Meanwhile in Cheyenne, Scherer’s crew helped restore the exterior stone, windows, metal entablature and dome of the 130-year-old statehouse, in addition to extensive interior renovations.
After close to nine years with HDR, Scherer was promoted to Civic Architectural Director of the Central Region, now overseeing 12 states with 43 offices. “I’ll be working across multiple studios, exploring how we can build opportunities in the cities, counties and states we serve. It’s a big shift, and I’m energized by the possibilities. I’m looking forward to connecting architecture with people and place in a deeper way,” she relates.
Volunteerism
The daughter of a public accountant, Scherer’s father was very active in his professional association. “He taught me that if you want your profession to be respected, you must respect it yourself and get involved. That mindset has stuck with me.”
Now in Colorado, she serves on the board of both the Governors for the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation and AIA’s Colorado chapter, including a stint as president. She’s also a committee member for the Downtown Denver Partnership’s urban exploration program.
Civic Work
Sharing some best practices as a successful civic architect, Scherer explains that one of the most important lessons learned is the value of vulnerability and humility as a designer working with the public.
— Barbara Horwitz-Bennett, contributing writer
Photos courtesy of HDR
HDR restored the exterior stone, windows, metal entablature and dome of the 130-year-old Wyoming State Capital and updated the interiors, in addition to work on the Herschler State Office Building.
Julianne Scherer, aia, ncarb, leed ap bd+c, HDR, was recently promoted to Civic Architectural Director of the Central Region
