RPC Exceed

Rob Pelletier Construction, Inc. Houston Texas

Burnaby Residence

British Columbia has spectacular views of the Canadian Cascades and the inlets that surround it and Burnaby, a city just east of Vancouver, undulates over hills that reach 1,200 feet high. One of its residences, planted on top of one of these hills, offers big views of the Vancouver skyline and the majestic coastal ranges. For the homeowners, the Fedukes, making those views an integral part of their residence was important. So much so, they chose to blur the lines between outdoor and indoor living.

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Woodfold

Project Type: Executive Office

Problem: Merging a relaxed, open-door management style with a periodic need for privacy and quiet.

Solution/Description of the Installation: By combining Woodfold’s Series 440/540 Visifold see-through doors with hardwood panels, the office designer was able to create the inviting sense of openness his executive client requested, but still provide private spaces when needed. Installation on a curved track added to the office’s architectural interest.

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AvL Technologies Corporate Office and Manufacturing Center

Architect: Fisher Architects, PA
Asheville, NC
General Contractor: KCB Construction
Asheville, NC
Airolite Rep: Kuester Sales Company, Inc.
Charlotte, NC
Building Location: 15 N. Merrimon Avenue
Asheville, NC

The Vision

A single-story strip mall built on an 8-acre site in 1985 in Asheville, NC, had deteriorated to the point where a developer was ready to tear it down and rebuild. Instead the 60,000 square-foot structure–-anchored by a supermarket — was transformed in 2012 into a very attractive corporate office and manufacturing center for AvL Technologies. AvL manufactures mobile satellite communications antennae systems and positioners. Its new corporate office and manufacturing center is now part of an urban village development including contemporary shops, restaurants and residential condominiums. Small shops in the existing building became light-filled offices, and the large grocery and drug store spaces are now dedicated to manufacturing functions. The brick facade, walls, slabs, steel and bar joist structure are all original construction.

The Airolite Look…

casestudylg_avl2.jpgThe building appears new and designed specifically for its current use, but in reality very little is new. Several design elements featuring custom-engineered Airolite products helped create the new corporate identity desired. Vertical louvers or a brise soleil and perforated aluminum sun controls provide a contemporary and striking visual first impression—adding texture, scaling and detail to the building. A new main public entrance is identified by a sculpture and structural elements that also provide a compositional balance to the louvered façade.

The vertical brise soleil was produced with 12- inch deep extruded aluminum airfoil blades and is supported by adjacent vertical columns. This prominent structure poses bold sight and shadow lines making a dramatic statement with the new façade that reflects the state-of-the-art satellite communications technologies produced within the facility. As a complement to the monumental vertical brise soleil, a horizontal band of sun controls incorporating 0.125″ thick aluminum sheet with ½” diameter round holes spaced 11/16″ on center in a staggered pattern are canted from tube steel supports to provide contrast, texture, scaling and further detail.

That Works

The monumental vertical brise soleil shades and protects the entry to the manufacturing space. The perforated sun controls also yield thermal shading and manage glare imposed on the west-facing windows to advance the energy efficiency goals for the renovation. Tube steel structures frame each window opening and provide support for wind and snow-load forces that cannot be accommodated by the original wall construction. The louvers and sun controls were customized to accommodate the architect’s unique design intent.

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Moderco

The Advanced Learning Library is a state-of-the-art library located in Wichita, KS. The largest operable wall on this project is very unique in that the wall is Crystal glass on top with the bottom 36” being a solid Signature. This rare combination helps in achieving the 12’7” ceiling height requirement as well as a rare aesthetic touch. More importantly, the outstanding acoustical performance of the wall enables them to separate their sometimes-noisy lobby from their main library which requires absolute silence for readers or open the entire area up for large events. In addition, this wall allows for multiple configurations allowing or not allowing guest to use the stairs.

Product : Crystal 241 molded together with Signature 841

Architect : GLMV Architecture

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AvL Technologies Corporate Office and Manufacturing Center

The Vision

A single-story strip mall built on an 8-acre site in 1985 in Asheville, NC, had deteriorated to the point where a developer was ready to tear it down and rebuild. Instead the 60,000 square-foot structure–-anchored by a supermarket — was transformed in 2012 into a very attractive corporate office and manufacturing center for AvL Technologies. AvL manufactures mobile satellite communications antennae systems and positioners. Its new corporate office and manufacturing center is now part of an urban village development including contemporary shops, restaurants and residential condominiums. Small shops in the existing building became light-filled offices, and the large grocery and drug store spaces are now dedicated to manufacturing functions. The brick facade, walls, slabs, steel and bar joist structure are all original construction.

The Airolite Look…

casestudylg_avl2.jpgThe building appears new and designed specifically for its current use, but in reality very little is new. Several design elements featuring custom-engineered Airolite products helped create the new corporate identity desired. Vertical louvers or a brise soleil and perforated aluminum sun controls provide a contemporary and striking visual first impression—adding texture, scaling and detail to the building. A new main public entrance is identified by a sculpture and structural elements that also provide a compositional balance to the louvered façade.

The vertical brise soleil was produced with 12- inch deep extruded aluminum airfoil blades and is supported by adjacent vertical columns. This prominent structure poses bold sight and shadow lines making a dramatic statement with the new façade that reflects the state-of-the-art satellite communications technologies produced within the facility. As a complement to the monumental vertical brise soleil, a horizontal band of sun controls incorporating 0.125″ thick aluminum sheet with ½” diameter round holes spaced 11/16″ on center in a staggered pattern are canted from tube steel supports to provide contrast, texture, scaling and further detail.

That Works

The monumental vertical brise soleil shades and protects the entry to the manufacturing space. The perforated sun controls also yield thermal shading and manage glare imposed on the west-facing windows to advance the energy efficiency goals for the renovation. Tube steel structures frame each window opening and provide support for wind and snow-load forces that cannot be accommodated by the original wall construction. The louvers and sun controls were customized to accommodate the architect’s unique design intent.

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Squibb Building

Following 2015 research data which showed that buildings in New York City were responsible for 67% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, New York officials updated their energy efficiency standards for both new and existing buildings.

A historic 34-strorey high rise on Manhattan’s 5th Avenue was due for renovation, specifically a roofing remodel on a particular floor to improve the building’s performance. With the new standards in place set by the New York City Energy Conservation Code, a retrofit was needed to achieve these standards.

This project came with significant design challenges for the building owner. The addition of multiple layers of insulation would require significant renovations to the roof, and the additional thickness from the introduction of insulation posed challenges in ensuring railings were at an adequate height.

There was also the major issue of the need to vacate space around the works during periods of heavy activity. This would require moving some tenants out for a period of six to nine months – causing significant disruption for them as well as loss of income for the building’s owner.

In looking for a solution which would cost less, save time and meet the regulations the building owner chose next generation Kingspan OPTIM-R insulation. Designed for projects which require creative solutions, Kingspan OPTIM-R is ultra-thin and perfect for retrofit applications.

The insulation did not affect the railing details or impact on roof pavers and door thresholds. This meant heavy renovation works were not required and therefore no need for tenants to vacate the building. With New York City also facing a labour shortage at the time, the opportunity to cut down on project time meant that contractors had the leeway to ensure the best workers were on the job.

With over 3 months saved in construction time, a higher-performing building and cost-savings of over $1.2 million – the 5th Avenue retrofit represents an excellent example of how a creative, next-generation product can offer the solutions clients need without negatively affecting quality.

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Loblolly House

“Named for the tall pines that characterize its site on the Chesapeake Bay,” says design firm Kieran Timberlake of Loblolly House, “this 2,200 square-foot single family residence seeks to deeply fuse the natural elements of this barrier island to architectural form.”

Loblolly is also a forward-thinking experiment in prefabricated residential architecture. With this goal in mind, the designers were looking not only for a home that suits its sylvan surroundings, but one with repeatable results. NanaWall’s engineering and manufacture turned out to be particularly apt for meeting these goals.

Healthy Living and Energy Efficiency

“The project goals,” relates Carin Whitney, Kieran Timberlake’s communications director, “included providing savannah-like views of the Chesapeake Bay and opening the interior fully for natural ventilation, and to give it a porch-like feel. The plan also called for trapping the radiant heat that forms in the cavity between layers, to provide thermal insulation when the exterior acrylic doors are in the closed position.

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The Holdsworth Center in Houston Texas – Case Study

The Holdsworth Center is a well-known facility where educators meet to learn advanced teaching techniques, individually and in groups. Acoustics, privacy and a comfortable aesthetically pleasing environment is required. The single panel 841 steel panel face in the serving area was factory custom prepared to allow for the field installation of vertical wood brightwork pieces by the millwork craftsmen thus creating a visual focal point for the area. Necessary acoustic qualities were maintained. Acoustic Crystal Glass 242 systems were used to divide classrooms & maintain the desired “openness” of the teaching area. If custom finishes and acoustic glass wall systems are part of your requirements contact Moderco (1.800.363.3150) or RPC.

Product : Moderco Signature 840 & 841 (solid panels). Moderco Crystal 242 (glass panels)

Architect : Lake Flato Architects, San Antonio Texas

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Computer/Telcom Room

Project Type: Computer/Telcom Room

Problem: Due to increased security concerns, a company needed a way to protect its computer and telecommunications equipment without causing problems with heat build-up.

Solution/Description of the Installation: By specifying our sturdy Series 640 Alumifold door in sleek, perforated aluminum, the company is now able to ensure lockable security and also provide the ventilation needed to keep equipment running trouble-free.

Mammoet USA South, Inc.

A global company headquartered in Schiedam, the Netherlands, Mammoet serves petrochemical, mining, power generation, natural resource development, civil and marine industries worldwide with tailor-made heavy lifting and transportation solutions for onshore or offshore. Structural elements are exposed and finished in Mammoet’s brilliant corporate red signature color to match the company’s logo; metal wall panels demonstrate bold, continuous, horizontal, ribbed profiles that are finished in a reflective metallic gray color; and, each window frame is painted white to enhance recognition and visibility. The design team chose a canted wall design to reflect Mammoet’s commitment to innovation. Like each of the structural elements in the envelope, Airolite’s load-bearing outrigger elements incorporated in the cantilevered Airolite sun controls are painted Mammoet red to emphasize their structural contribution and complement the color of the corporate logo. The metallic gray bar blades, configured in a progression from 10-1/2-inches to 4-5/8-inch wide members, and round fascia elements in the sun controls pose yet more linear horizontal sightlines and complement the color and profile of the metal panels.