RPC

Rob Pelletier Construction, Inc. Houston Texas

Vue 25

The Vue 25 Jackson Building was in need of a building feature that was both aesthetically pleasing and practical for the exterior of the building. Our 400 sq. ft. custom BriteWay™ canopy system with Pentaglas glazing, specified in an ice white glazing color, was the perfect solution, offering a unique look to the main entrance while protecting the center’s visitors from inclement weather and glare.

RPC to Represent Kingspan Light + Air!!

Rob Pelletier Construction is pleased to announce that we are officially the Kingspan Light + Air Manufacturer’s Reps and Distributors for Houston, Austin, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. This happened in tandem with KLA purchasing Major Industries. 

Charles Vojtech, Vice President of Sales for RPC had this to say: “I am so excited about the opportunity to work with Kingspan Light + Air. I have had great respect for their people and product, back to the days when it was CPI Daylighting. Translucent Polycarbonate Panel Systems have become a staple in the exterior of building designs. We are so happy to be able to offer a product with the pedigree of Kingspan Light + Air.”

RPC’s Vice President of Operations, Gerald Pate stated “I am excited about having a Polycarbonate Skylight and Wall System that meets all the building codes including hurricane ratings. The Polycarbonate Panel Systems have a proven track record of color retention and the ability to maintain light transmission levels for many years. Truly, we feel this is the best translucent panel system available in the marketplace today.”

RPC will continue to offer the same high quality customer service you have learned to count on from us. We will work with you from the design and budget phase through the final steps of project completion. Contact us today for specification assistance, product training, supply chain questions or other project questions.

Queens Place Recreation Center

Featuring 10,350 sq. ft. of our UniQuad system, the Queen’s Place Recreation Centre is a symbol of renewal for a town that has seen its share of tough economic times. The Centre houses an NHL-sized ice rink, three basketball courts, a state of the art fitness center, and indoor walking tracks – all of which are protected from glare thanks to our translucent façade. The UniQuad system, specified in clear matte over bronze glazing, features the name of the recreation center in opaque letters near the entrance and provides a seamless, unique aesthetic across the entire facility.

 

Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre

The Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre was designed to accommodate world class athletic performance in every way – even down to its translucent façade, which minimizes glare for the athletes to focus on their training while resembling a wave in its design to reflect the athletes and spectators that enter. The glass below our incorporated system provides views to the exterior, which was an important aspect to the architect, and 12,700 sq. ft. of our UniQuad translucent wall system maintains streams of soft, natural, and uniform daylight across the arena suitable for competition while reducing glare and heat gain within the building.

Kingspan- Translucent Wall + Roof Assemblies

Richmond Olympic Oval

The Richmond Olympic Oval was created for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, but thanks to its flexible design it has been used for a wide variety of sport and community uses since then. The heron, the official symbol of the city of Richmond, and the river next to the building serve as the inspiration for the architectural design, achieving a fluid, seamless look. We collaborated with Cannon Design on the Oval to create a translucent building façade that featured 12 custom shades of blue, which was easy to achieve due to the UniQuadÒ system’s versatile color options. It achieved LEED Silver certification from the USGBC.

 

Translucent Canopies & Outdoor Learning Environments

Major Industries translucent daylighting systems include canopies.

Translucent Canopies & Outdoor Learning Environments – Major Industries | Daylight Systems and Skylight Solutions (majorskylights.com)

By Tayler Feuling

 
 
As schools everywhere tackle the challenges of online and in-person learning, translucent panel canopies can provide a safe and practical solution with shaded outdoor classroom spaces. Guardian 275® canopies and awnings offer a flexible, open-air environment where students can gather and learn while being shielded from potential rain and direct sunlight. While direct sunlight can be hot and create glare, translucent canopies help make outdoor spaces more comfortable so students can sit and focus on their work in a relaxed setting. This also allows students to benefit from the fresh air, natural light, and views that come with being outside, which studies have shown to improve a student’s mental health as well as academic performance.

Guardian 275® translucent panels also make for a functional and eye-catching entrance canopy to protect students and their work from inclement weather during school drop-off and pickup. Click HERE to learn more about Major Industries line of canopy solutions.

Moveable Wall Specifications Mostly Truth But Sometimes Fiction

One of the most common requests all manufacturers receive from specifiers is for a product “comparison” to a specified or preferred product. And what all manufacturers do is dissect their product and in some form, provide objective facts about what they propose to supply as compared to what the specification details & calls for. The decision makers then, after comparing the specification to the alternate product, make a selection based on this information. Specifications quite properly, contain a lot of “details” and too often, meeting or complying with these “details” is the bottom line by which acceptability is measured and determined. Manufacturers will be rejected because they do not comply with “all” specified features. Is this correct and fair? Holding every manufacturer to all of the specification requirements? Moderco says NO!

When evaluating, what the specifier should be aware of are those not so subtle hidden requirements included by the specified company that are there only to eliminate competition. Meaningless requirements. Some examples as it pertains to moveable walls.

Detail

Moderco operable wallsOne manufacturer includes the following regarding steel track: “Bracket must support the load bearing surface of the track”. Why do they include this – will the track fail if the load bearing surface is not supported? Is the track prone to failure when loads are applied? They do not include this requirement when they specify aluminum track. Why not? Why is this requirement included?

Truth

It is true that the support bracket that they use on their steel track systems is designed such that the bearing surface is supported. But this bracket is their standard design. It has no specific extra benefit or value to the consumer. This an attempt to portray their standard bracket design as a specific need that all must comply with in order to be acceptable. But the requirement is there only to eliminate competition. Nothing else. In addition when it is convenient they will “direct mount” (screw) this same track directly to a wood header without the requirement for a “load bearing” support system.

Detail

Moderco operable wallsOne manufacturer, when one of their specific steel track systems is specified, includes: “Aluminum track is not acceptable”. Why not? The majority of this same companies track systems are aluminum. Why must the only acceptable track be manufactured from steel when this particular track and application is specified?

Truth

This is an attempt to eliminate competition by making just steel track acceptable. They know that competitors will bid using a standard aluminum system when this application – right angle turn – is needed. The manufacturer does have aluminum right angle track systems that provides the same operation and stacking and are vastly superior in operation and results. Aluminum track is perfectly acceptable to them when it is convenient. The material from which the track is manufactured should not be a determining requirement.

Detail

Moderco operable wallsOne manufacturer specifies their astragals as being “roll formed steel astragals”. They follow this up with “Rigid plastic or aluminum astragals or astragals in only one panel edge are not acceptable”. Why not? The astragal is there to align panels and create an acoustical barrier between panels. As long as it functions in such a manner and is guaranteed by the manufacturer as to durability and performance, why is the material from which it is made an issue? How can one manufacturer dictate the materials that another manufacturer uses to make his product when the design has proven itself in the laboratory and field?

Truth

A manufacturer must or at least should, make it’s astragal from the material that was used to attain the panels laboratory STC rating. This particular company manufactured many of their astragals at the time their sound tests were conducted using aluminum, they subsequently changed to steel, and now say that aluminum is not acceptable but use the same sound test. Hard to have it both ways. But it does not matter as long as the astragal performs as required. Aluminum, steel, plastic, location etc. are not an issue – only durability, guarantees and results should be the considerations.

There are other specific requirements contained in various manufacturers specifications designed only to eliminate competition. Examples are ways that panel skins are attached, the mounting of hinges, pass door details etc. all of which should not be included or be a determination as to a manufacturer’s ability to perform.

When evaluating a product, when comparing a product, when specifying a product, we suggest that you look past some of the “not acceptable selling points” that manufacturers include in specifications in order to give them an edge: to eliminate competition. For the most part any of the 6 or so companies manufacturing operable walls that you may be considering, will be reliable, reputable and competent, providing time proven, performance driven products. Do not eliminate any sources by including in your specification “talking points” designed only to eliminate competition and offered by those who do not have your best interests at heart.

To paraphrase (for you country fans) Kris Kristofferson wrote “mostly truth but partly fiction.” This is what too many specifications contain these days. Implied fiction. Let RPC and Moderco assist you in preparing a truthful specification that does not include statements that are designed to discourage or eliminate competition & that if you wish identifies equal products from competitors.

The Holdsworth Center, Austin, TX

The Project:
RPC worked with Lake Flato Architects early on in the design of the operable walls. This is a site with 8 different buildings, 3 used for training where teachers or educators come for intense training. Other buildings included sleeping quarters for those attending and presenting. 
 
The intent was for all of the operable partitions to be custom, especially the folding partition in the Event Room and the folding partition to close off the Servery when not in use. Crystal Series 242 glass folding partitions were used in Classrooms. The Event Room was a Signature 840 with custom wall covering. What made this partition unique was the fact that they wanted a tapered glass window system between the overhead support and the roof. The support was not to be seen and was boxed with wood to appear as a timber, spanning the Event Room. 
 
The Servery folding partition was Signature 841 with steel faces left
unfinished for a wood slats to be attached to the faces. Because there were many areas in and around this area of the building with high end mill work, it was recommended that the millwork supplier/installer apply the 1” wood slats to the steel faces to keep all of the wood in the visible area from the same run. The partition was bi-parting with the stack areas jetting into the eating area to keep the primary track as close to the serving area as possible per the architects wishes. 
 
The pictures speak for themselves. These partitions turned out incredible. Keeping the architects wishes first and foremost and trying to
give them what they wanted and more was of the utmost importance. This, along with a highly skilled and professional installation crew, was key to the success of this product for this project. These partitions were focal points for this project.
 
The Team
Architect:   Lake Flato Architects, San Antonio TX
Contractor:   The Beck Group
Moderco Partner:  RPC, Inc
The Product: 
Moderco Signature 840
Moderco Signature 841
Moderco Crystal 242
Panels:  Single Panel, Center Point Panel, Paired Panel
Stacking:  Side Stacking, Center Stacking
Glass:  ¼” Clear Tempered
Wall Covering:  Wood Slats, Full Height Markerboard, Custom Fabric
Frame Finish:  Tuscan Black
Track:  Tuscan Black – Type 23T, Type 45T

MODERCO Inc. Announces Construction of new Facility to Support Growth.

We are so proud of our partner Moderco.  They have begun the exciting process of building a new facility to support the growth of their business.

MODERCO Inc. Announces Construction of new Facility to Support Growth

Moderco-new-building

Moderco, an International and 40 year experienced manufacturer of Moveable Wall Systems, today announced plans to construct a new manufacturing facility, beginning the summer of 2021, within the Greater Montreal Area. The new manufacturing plant and corporate offices will be located in the heart of a developing area adjacent to the new Montreal/St. Hubert regional airport. The facility will consolidate into one location the three existing separate plants that are presently required to meet the growing demand for Moderco’s products as experienced over the past few years. In addition, it will provide for the  growth of Moderco and the manufacture of new products and features.

“Our Architects and consultants have designed a building and environment wherein our associates will remain central to our success. We will incorporate our 40 years of success and experience in all aspects of the moveable wall industry including robotic assembly, automation, AI, material management, quality and inventory control into one location. Combining the skills of our valued associates with the most current manufacturing methods and equipment available, will allow us to maintain and significantly increase our planned growth” said Stephan Julien, President and CEO of Moderco. “We were extremely fortunate to locate such a nice and well-served location. The location and enhanced operational efficiencies will help us to continue to grow and develop and provide exceptional service and product”.

Jean Martin (JM) Roy, VP of Sales and Marketing commented : “Our entire office area, combined with a sales training and presentation area, will allow us to showcase and demonstrate all of our products. In addition we will have, in partnership with a prominent acoustical engineering company, a fully accredited acoustical testing laboratory where we will be able to quickly sound test all of our planned new products as well as have existing products retested in order to keep current with the most recent test procedures. One of the most pressing problems in our industry is extreme variations throughout a year in product demand. Alleviating delivery problems associated with these variations is an important part of the incorporated manufacturing processes allowing us to keep pace with our client’s needs.”

All at Moderco are looking forward to the relocation to our new facility in the Fall of 2022. For additional information about the new Moderco manufacturing facility, Moderco in general, Moderco products or Moderco distribution please contact info@moderco.com or call 800.363.3150.

About Moderco.

Moderco is a privately owned company that specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of operable (moveable) partition systems. Moderco was established in 1980 and has been manufacturing partitions since. Products are sold throughout the world through a network of reliable, fully trained, local installing distributor partners. Moderco is the largest supplier of operable partition systems to the Canadian market and has held this position consistently for the past 25 years. We are ranked third in North America in terms of sales volume. We offer an extensive ranger of manual and electric operable partition systems as well as accordion doors, moveable glass partitions with additional products soon to come. We offer acoustic and non-acoustic systems with a varied range of STC values.