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February 21, 2013
The basics: MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital’s Dally Tower in Puyallup, Wash., received a new look with the installation of a fire-rated curtain wall and updated daylighting. The building features glass canopy-covered entries, expansive windows and circulation hubs―all oriented to allow light to easily transfer between interior spaces. The nine-story, 357,000-square-foot facility now offers...
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February 18, 2013
The basics: The Empire State Building recently received an extensive renovation that included an update to the panoramic windows on the 102nd floor observation deck. The 102nd floor is the highest observatory at the New York City landmark, and the renovation team faced the challenge of offering time-tested clear, unobstructed views from its windows. For the project, the team chose a combination...
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February 4, 2013
Top Glass & Metal FabricatorsAmong the top glass fabricators in the United States and Canada are several companies that also manufacture architectural aluminum products for storefront and curtain-wall applications, using their own proprietary lines and dies. Due to their unique product offerings, they are ranked separately from the Top Glass Fabricators. For information on these companies’...
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Consolidated Forensics Lab relies on operable glass louvers and an advanced cable net façade to regulate building environment
February 1, 2013
View a photo gallery of the Consolidated Forensics LabBefore opening its doors last October, Washington D.C.’s Consolidated Forensics Lab had already received accolades from the architectural community for its innovative design featuring a striking all-glass cable net façade and attached glass louver system.Set to achieve Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in...
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Nonresidential construction to see continued mild growth this year
February 1, 2013
Phase A: The data trend is either heading toward a low or is in the early stages of recovery. This is the first positive phase of the business cycle.Phase B: The data trend is accelerating in its ascent, and growth is occurring above year-ago levels. This is the second positive phase of the business cycle.Phase C: A decline is in place. The data trend is decelerating in its ascent or has stopped...
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January 31, 2013
U.S. glass company leaders— from full-service glass shops, to large contract glaziers, to glass and metal suppliers—say they are optimistic about 2013. While the industry continues to face notable challenges—a slow recovery, uncertainty over taxes, and concerns about the implementation of the health care law, to name a few—officials, for the most part, say market conditions will continue to...
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Still far below peak, U.S. construction headed for another year of modest gains
January 31, 2013
U.S. construction is headed for another year of modest gains, with multifamily construction leading the way, according to forecasts from McGraw-Hill Construction and Reed Construction Data. Total construction starts in the United States will rise 6 percent to $483.7 billion in 2013, slightly higher than the 5 percent increase estimated for 2012, according to the McGraw-Hill forecast, presented at...
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What are your expectations for 2013?
January 31, 2013
Commercial Mike Turner, vice president of marketing, YKK AP America,www.ykkap.com“Upon looking at industry forecasts, indicators show steady and optimistic growth for the industry. Some of the key indicators that support this forecast are the residential market, which is climbing, and the Architecture Billings Index, which remains above 50.“However, we are still in the recovery stage and growth...
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January 28, 2013
The basics: In an effort to improve building energy performance, owners of the Energy Star-rated Kevon office building in Pennsauken, N.J., recently installed the Renovate by Berkowitz (RbB) window system. Although much of the building incorporates energy-saving technologies, the original 1971 windows were constructed without energy-efficient features. The building owners updated all 651 windows...
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January 28, 2013
The basics: The team in charge of renovating the exterior of the Federico Degetau Federal Building and the Clemente Ruiz Nazario U.S. Courthouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico, faced notable challenges. Built in the 1970s, both buildings were in need of repair, including replacement of deteriorating windows. The basic challenge was to protect the federal office buildings and their occupants while...