Great Glazing: Huntsman Cancer Institute

"To install the glass under the difficult site conditions and harsh winter, we installed scaffold over the entire mountain-side elevation with protective tarp. Because we were the only installer on the elevation, we were able to site build the prefabricated frames, glaze and seal the opening, and then remove the scaffold to expose the completed elevation. The balance of the project required the use of several different types of boom and hoisting equipment to gain access and complete the installation." 

The basics: Phase 2B of the internationally known cancer facility at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, features extensive exterior glass and solid metal panel systems, including a complex curtain wall with flying beams. Glaziers from LCG Facades faced challenges installing the systems against the Wasatch Mountains with very limited access.  "The project was also installed in the winter [with] one of the highest snow fall years in recorded history for Utah," says Ted Derby, business development, LCG Facades. "The complex geometry required extensive coordination with the use of 3D drawings and BIM clash analysis." The project came in on time and on budget, and LCG supplied a National Fenestration Rating Council certificate for the job.

The players: Architect, Architectural Nexus; general contractor, Okland Construction; glazing contractor, LCG Facades; glass fabricator, Viracon; glazing system supplier, Efco Corp.; aluminum panel fabricator, Quality Metalcrafts/Americlad; insulated foam panel fabricator, Kingspan.

The glass and systems: The glass was designed to match the existing portions of the project, and included 1-inch insulating, fully tempered VS8-08 (Solarscreen Stainless Steel EverGreen), and ¼-inch EverGreen fully tempered or heat strengthened, depending on requirements. The framing is EFCO Series 5900 custom painted Champagne mica 2 coat. The panel systems include 1/8-inch aluminum metal panels and insulated foam panels.