Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Enclos continued to push the curtainwall boundaries with new technological innovations in 2017. Project activities continue to progress on several supertall structures, our educational animation series concluded, and we leveraged drone technology to share captivating footage of some the most challenging curtainwall installations.
As we move into 2018, it is time to reflect on some of the most read features of 2017.
From Billet to Building
The construction of high-performance building envelopes is a multi-step process, starting with raw materials such as aluminum billets and glass silica, and results in prefabricated curtainwall unit assemblies that hang from the building structure, most often the floor slabs. This process requires a network of material vendors, processors, fabricators and installers to coordinate diligently. In the five-part video series From Billet to Building, the Advanced Technology Studio of Enclos will animate each step, culminating in several installation strategies.
- Part 1: Manufacture and Fabrication
- Part 2: Float Glass
- Part 3: Insulated Glass Unit
- Part 4: Curtainwall Assembly
- Part 5: Curtainwall Installation
Insight 4
Enclos recently released the latest addition to its Insight series. Take a look inside the fifteen articles that explore complexity, performance, delivery and processes behind cutting-edge building facades and structures
Pacific Gate Drone Footage
Enclos field crews’ monumental efforts above Downtown San Diego peaked this past summer with the dramatic installation of Pacific Gate’s crowning curtainwall unit onto the city’s latest luxury condo residential tower.
The Spheres
Back in May, GeekWire provided a glimpse of what’s to come in The Spheres’ “tree-house” communal space. The newly constructed urban campus north of downtown Seattle sets to inspire creativity and innovation for its inhabitants.
The Skinny on Supertall
New York is home to some of the most slender supertall buildings in the world. Enclos has been involved in recent and upcoming supertalls like 432 Park Avenue, 30 Hudson Yards and 53W53 to name a few. These high-rise developments have added new heights to New York’s iconic skyline.
Oceanwide Plaza Video
Los Angeles is amid its largest construction boom since the 1920s. One of the most prominent additions to Downtown is Oceanwide Plaza where Enclos is working alongside general contractor Lendlease to complete three towers’ enclosures. Once complete in 2019, Oceanwide Plaza will include 504 condos, 166,000 of open-air retail space, and a luxury hotel.
Masters of Geometry
Enclos counts on its multidisciplinary team of architects, designers, engineers, programmers, and visualization specialists to deliver design assist services that make complex enclosures constructible. In this article by Building Design + Construction, the author reviews the philosophies required to bring complex structures to life, including two recent New York City projects: the Santiago Calatrava-designed World Trade Center Transportation Hub, with its massive Oculus pavilion; and the pyramid-shaped VIA 57 West residential building, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group.
Waldorf Astoria
The Waldorf Astoria opened its doors in Spring 2017 giving life to an Art-Deco inspired luxurious hotel in the middle of Beverly Hills. The five-star hotel stands 12 stories high with a rooftop deck and floor-to-ceiling glass with bronze accents. It is home to 170 luxury rooms including 42 suites. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is Waldorf Astoria’s first hotel on the West Coast.
The Story Behind NMAAHC’s Distinctive Enclosure
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. The building’s distinct enclosure with a bronze-colored cast aluminum scrim was recently profiled in Metal Architecture magazine’s article, Architectural Crown Jewel. The article provides a detailed explanation of the corona’s form, the panels’ inspiration, design and material finishes that create the facades luminous feeling.
220 Central Park South
220 Central Park South will rise 950 feet in the air giving breathtaking views of Central Park. The building will be clad in Alabama silver shadow limestone so that it blends in with its surrounding neighbors.
ENR New York’s Specialty Contractor of the Year
Engineering News-Record New York selected Enclos as its Specialty Contractor or the Year for 2017. The November issue featured the annual list of Top Specialty Contractors including Enclos at number five of the 40 firms listed and highest among glazing contractors. The issue also features a company profile – Vertical Velocity is Defining for Enclos – where the author shares details of the organization’s philosophies integral to the delivery of building enclosures in New York.