Case Study: Fountain Place

As part of our 20th Anniversary celebration at Sentech Architectural Systems, we are thrilled to share a chapter in our retrospective of groundbreaking work. Detailed in a white paper by Facade Tectonics, “Innovation in Jumbo Clear Span System Applications – The Renovation of Fountain Place”, takes a closer look at the stunning renovation of Fountain Place and explores our collaborative journey. This unprecedented feat of engineering highlights how the design of structural glass systems continues to evolve with the parallel development of new manufacturing technology. Improvements in the manufacturing processes of jumbo glass, including improved optical quality, improved coatings, and improved manufacturing tolerances have directly led to the increased use of jumbo glass in monumental clear span structural glass applications like Fountain Place. Discover how the parallel development of structural glass design and new manufacturing technologies made this landmark project possible!

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Innovation in Jumbo Clear Span System Applications – The Renovation of Fountain Place

Authors:

Alfonso Lopez, P.E. – Principal and CEO, Sentech Architectural Systems

David Dunham, P.E. – Chief Sales Officer, Sentech Architectural Systems

ABSTRACT

Fountain Place is a project that exemplifies the latest technology and applications in building skin design and jumbo structural glass applications, with a core emphasis on innovation in engineering, design, fabrication, and installation. This case study describes the clear span glass wall design strategy in detail – including system design iterations, structural optimization, and final system selection. The paper focuses on a novel design approach that was developed to minimize glass deflection, simplify installation, and ensure alignment of the jumbo clear span wall glass panels. Installation and manufacturing challenges are also covered in depth to familiarize readers with the hurdles encountered over the course of the project execution in achieving the desired tolerance, optical quality, and system transparency goals. The frameless, clear span, jumbo glass walls of the Fountain Place renovation are supported using a unique adjustable perimeter support system that allowed the designers to eliminate all support framing within the clear opening and resulted in a highly transparent installation. The design methodology and connection details represent a technology advancement in that they simultaneously allow for fixity against glass rotation, inter-story drift isolation, and installation adjustability while minimizing the façade system deformation.

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