Santa Barbara has an amazing addition with this new four star resort Hotel Californian, beautifully designed by DesignArc and built by MATT Construction. L2 Specialties provided some amazing finishes and operable walls from Moderco to maximize the Ball Rooms and event spaces.
The Advanced Learning Library
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
Spinologics Montreal
Spinologics, a Canadian company based in Montreal, is all about people. Founded by three orthopedic surgeons dedicated to improving people’s lives through the development of surgical tools and techniques, they brought this philosophy of people first with them when designing the interior of their corporate offices. Not a large area but one filled with dynamic activity, teamwork, visual interaction, and the need for acoustical privacy. A Crystal wall system from Moderco was the perfect solution. The Moderco distributor, Cometal, had to modify a confined existing space for the wall and a storage area. Portions of the existing permanent walls were demolished; a custom designed track system was designed & installed on a new structural support system & the permanent wall were acoustically insulated and painted, all with minimal disruption to Spinologics operations. The result is an extremely happy & satisfied customer. Projects do not have to be large to be of significance. The capabilities of our distribution are far more than just operable walls. The desire of both Moderco and Cometal in all projects is to have a satisfied customer. We believe we have succeeded.
Product : Crystal Glass STC 44 Acoustical Wall System
Architect : A custom design project from Cometal & Moderco.
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
The Glasshouse- Moderco
The Glasshouse, Manhattan New York – Case Study
The Glasshouse is a 35,000 sq. ft all exterior glass wall event space overlooking the Hudson River in Manhattan. The Design Team wished to maintain this exterior view from within by using a 15’ tall moveable acoustic glass wall system: let the outside in. This design objective required solid acoustic panels and glass panels that could be interchanged freely in order to configure the meeting areas as dictated by specific requirements. This need required the design and installation of a fool proof grid of intersecting overhead track & intersections (2200 lineal feet), special width solid and glass panels (3 widths) and a flexible expandable panel closure system. As an overhead track structural steel was not part of the initial project design the Moderco distributor, Value Added Group, designed and installed a complete steel strut support system.
City Bank Miami- Moderco
The National Bank of Miami wished to modernize and update their 2 levels of existing offices located on the 19th floor of The Miami Tower. Included was a complete redesign of their reception area. The owners and Architects wanted to create an immediate “Wow” effect, make the area inviting and warm by taking advantage of Miami’s abundant morning sun. The Moderco Vision single panel “see-through” glass panel system was selected as meeting all design and aesthetic requirements. Folding Walls of Miami had to overcome many non-standard issues such as the project being on the 19th floor of a downtown tower, the existing floor was not level requiring modifications, the installation of track within an existing ceiling and accounting for the installation of a 5/8” thick marble floor. But the desired effect was achieved as Moderco Vision truly delivered the goods as light pours into the room highlighting the new interior furnishings.
Product : Moderco Vision 121
Architect : Gensler Architects of Miami
Mind Fit Yoga
Film Independent
Another great project featuring the Moderco Crystal and 700 Series operable partitions. Film Independent couldn’t give up a view of downtown Los Angeles, so they chose the Crystal to keep that beautiful view and divide the space. This project was beautifually designed by Interior Architects and built with Holwick Constructors.
The Glasshouse, Manhattan New York – Case Study
The Glasshouse is a 35,000 sq. ft all exterior glass wall event space overlooking the Hudson River in Manhattan. The Design Team wished to maintain this exterior view from within by using a 15’ tall moveable acoustic glass wall system: let the outside in. This design objective required solid acoustic panels and glass panels that could be interchanged freely in order to configure the meeting areas as dictated by specific requirements. This need required the design and installation of a fool proof grid of intersecting overhead track & intersections (2200 lineal feet), special width solid and glass panels (3 widths) and a flexible expandable panel closure system. As an overhead track structural steel was not part of the initial project design the Moderco distributor, Value Added Group, designed and installed a complete steel strut support system.
The Glasshouse, Manhattan New York – Case Study
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
One 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
One 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
One 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.