Arches Dominate New House Of Worship

Glass Railings Complement Collegiate Gothic Structure In with the new, but keeping much of the old, works for renovation at Princeton.

When renovating a historic structure at the center of a prestigious university campus, one must make every effort to ensure the traditional, Ivy-league feel remains intact, even while adding modern elements of architecture and design. This was the challenge presented by Princeton Univ.’s, Princeton, NJ, 20 Washington Road renovation.

Built in 1929 as the Frick chemistry laboratory, the collegiate Gothic structure had been vacant since the department relocated in 2010. The renovated facility will house the university’s economics and international studies programs, centralizing those two academies that were previously scattered in multiple buildings across campus.

The challenge was to add a modern look and feel (interior and exterior) to one of the most prominent campus buildings clad in the same argylite stone, limestone-framed windows, and vaulted ceilings as the majority of the heritage campus buildings for which this and many other Ivy League schools are known.

HISTORIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY According to KPMB Architects, Toronto (kpmb.com), selected to lead the renovation, the design concept focused on “an extensive transformation of the interior into a light-filled, accessible learning environment with a coherent system of corridors and public spaces while preserving the historic character of the exterior and key primary interior spaces, particularly the entry and the second-floor library.” The facility also called for the creation of additional entrances to help bring the community together, hence the renovation of the existing atrium at the Washington Road entrance and a second atrium adjacent to Scudder Plaza, a focal point and causeway for the university campus.

More than 3,300 ft. of Trex ornamental railing achieves a modern, vibrant feel while allowing the character of the building to shine through at Princeton Univ. Photo: Ricardo Barros (barros.com)

Trex Commercial Products, Minneapolis (trexcommercial.com), was selected to provide more than 3,300 ft. of ornamental railing for the project to achieve a modern, vibrant feel while allowing the character of the building to shine through. A variety of glass-paneled railings, inside and outside the facility, offer unobstructed views of the original architecture and modern additions. This not only allows natural light into the complex, but also complements the building’s new character.

On the exterior, a newly created bridge is framed by Trex’ Point-series glass railing with 1-in. laminated, tempered low-iron glass that affords a clear view of the structure’s original external masonry. The building’s three-story main atrium features suspended, glass-walled meeting rooms, multi-level stairs, and balcony overlooks encompassing more than 950 ft. of Point-series railing that adds a minimalistic look to the space. The railings’ custom fascia-mounted stainless-steel nodes are countersunk into the glass, and attached using stud-weld to a steel stringer. An 18-gauge stainless-steel top cap sits on the 1-in.-thick low-iron glass with PVB interlayer to create a one-of-a-kind look throughout the facility. The same glass-railing system can also be found on exterior balconies overlooking campus on the west side of the structure.

More than 1,200 ft. of Track Rail system was used throughout the facility, including multi-level stairs, balcony overlooks, and fire-shutter barriers. For this system, the aluminum-shoe profile is mounted on a steel angle that is welded to the side of the stair stringer. To provide a consistent look and feel throughout the interior, the 1-in. tempered, laminated glass with stainless-steel top cap that was used in the Point-supported system was also used within the Track Rail system. A custom gray gasket finishes off the top of the base-shoe system after the glass has been set to achieve the desired look.

Another unifying element to the system is the custom stainless-steel 5/8-in. x 2-in. flat-bar handrail fabricated with stainless-steel standoffs with #4 finish, and NOMMA #1 that was used on all welds throughout the building’s stairs and overlooks. This same custom-designed handrail carries to the custom post-supported railing on multiple facility ramps using the flat bar and posts and a 4-in.-wide, 3/8- in. thick continuous stainless-steel base that was epoxy anchored into the structure.

By using glass and unobtrusive mounting structures, the products provide a contemporary look while preserving the building’s heritage components.

Trex was also able to open a window to the future by using recyclable materials throughout, contributing to the university’s desire of achieving LEED gold status

The renovated building features custom stainless-steel fl at-bar handrail, 825 ft. of which is wall mounted. Photo courtesy Trex Commercial Products

for the project. CA

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Arches Dominate New House Of Worship

Curves for ceilings, arches, doors, and windows use Flex-Ability Concepts materials in Catholic church.

Curves are a core characteristic of the church, refl ecting its traditional French heritage, along with Spanish and Italian infl uences. Photo courtesy Doug LaFleur, LaFleur’s Fine Photography

Inset. Flex-Ability Concept’s Flex-C Trac was used on the radius walls in the apse and music rooms.

When Louisiana and Cajun styles combine, and the talents of an architect and construction team seamlessly merge, the result is the impressive St. Pius Church in Lafayette, LA. The structure, the fi rst new church in Lafayette in 22 years, replaces a smaller space where many people had to stand during mass. Architect Corne-Lemaire Group, Lafayette, and installer Delahoussaye Co. Inc., Scott, LA, understood the signifi cance of the parish to the community and the importance of the design to the worship experience.

Curves are a core characteristic of the church, reflecting its traditional French heritage, along with Spanish and Italian influences. Flex-Ability Concepts’ (Oklahoma City, flexabilityconcepts.com), Flex-C Arch and Flex-C Trac were used to create some of the curves throughout the church.

“Curves were used on ceilings, arches, doors, and windows throughout,” said Wayne L. Corne, an architect with Corne-Lemaire Group. “The curves depict continuity, class, and a free-flow form that defines the dynamic interior spaces within the church with its appropriate features of simple elegance.”

The architecture firm was asked to give parishioners a church with traditional design. The church has a Romanesque cruciform floor plan with an atrium, nave, transepts, and apse. It was important to use metal framing throughout

the church, even for the curves, to obtain a fully fire-resistant classification from the city and for insurance purposes.

“The church is a place of assembly, and non-combustible material is a mandatory necessity and owner’s benefit,” Corne said. “Metal interior framing is used throughout for walls and ceilings. The only wood used is for the doors and support blocking for wall-hung accessories. This building is designed to last centuries while obtaining a fire-resistant rating, minimizing insurance costs, and creating low maintenance costs.”

Delahoussaye Co. installed: 20-gauge, 3 5/8-in. Flex-C Trac; 20-gauge, 2 1/2-in. Flex-C Arch; 20-gauge, 3 5/8-in. Flex-C Arch; and 20-gauge, 6-in. Flex-C Arch, all supplied through Interior Exterior Building Supply, Lafayette.

Flex-C Arch was used at the arched and circular windows and to create arches between the columns, as well as the arched and circular windows. It can be seen over the main altar and above the altar in the Adoration Chapel. Large arches were created at the exterior and front entrances of the church and for curved 18-ft. heads of three monumental wooden oil-finished door enclosures below the balcony. Flex-C Trac was used on the radius walls in the apse and music rooms. J.B. Mouton LLC, Lafayette, served as the general contractor.

Timing and scheduling were important to stay ahead of the other trades involved in the massive project. Danny Delahoussaye, president of the installation company, said, “The reasons we used Flex-Ability Concepts’ products are we can lock it in place before we install it and it was best for our application.”

The $19-million church opened in October 2017 and includes 34,000 sq. ft. with seating for 900. The space includes a chapel within the bell tower, children’s area, bride’s room, two cry rooms, and restrooms. The atrium was designed to bring the community together as a place to gather, talk, celebrate, and worship.

Above. St. Pius Church in Lafayette, LA, combines Louisiana and Cajun styles. Photo courtesy Doug LaFleur, LaFleur’s Fine Photography

Left. Flex-C Arch was used at the arched and circular windows, to create arches between the columns, as well as the arched and circular windows. It can be seen over the main altar and above the altar in the Adoration Chapel. Photo courtesy Doug LaFleur, LaFleur’s Fine Photography

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