Client News: Wausau promotes Chris Bushman to engineering manager and grows its structural engineering team

Wausau Window and Wall Systems has named Chris Bushman as an engineering manager, Michael Opela, P.E., as a structural engineering manager, and Greg Guillickson, P.E., as a structural engineer. They will work closely with one another and with Wausau’s project management team to ensure compliant, quality and value-engineered/value-added systems.

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Chris Bushman, Engineering Manager

For nearly 16 years, Bushman has contributed to Wausau’s engineering team. He began as a designer assisting with customers’ submission drawings, details and elevations. He was promoted to applications engineer where he expanded upon his previous responsibilities taking leadership of customers’ submission package materials, and in training his colleagues on AutoCAD and other engineering programs’ functions.

Bushman was promoted to design engineer where he continued to demonstrate his leadership by supporting customers with design charettes, mock-up installations pre-bid details. He was involved with such notable projects as the California’s Anaheim Convention Center, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, University of California-Berkeley’s New Biosciences Building, University of Colorado Hospital’s new inpatient tower at the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the high-security, energy-efficient modernization of Federal Office Building 8 in D.C.

Bushman remains actively involved with Wausau’s professional development and continuous improvement programs. He successfully completed Lean/Six Sigma Greenbelt training and has participated in several significant value stream optimization projects.

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Michael Opela, P.E., Structural Engineering Manager

Opela manages the structural engineering function at Wausau, and its designing and testing of structural components, products and systems. Prior to joining the company, he and his wife owned and operated a design firm and structural engineering firm with offices in Minnesota and Arizona.

A member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineers Association, Opela is registered as a structural engineer in Arizona and as a professional engineer in Wisconsin and Washington. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn.

In addition to his professional leadership, Opela is active with the Boy Scouts of America as a local den leader and a district-level unit commissioner. He shares his skills with Scout councils in Wisconsin that have structural projects and challenges.

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Greg Guillickson, P.E., Structural Engineer

Licensed as a professional engineer in the state of Wisconsin, Guillickson is responsible for analyzing Wausau’s windows and wall systems to ensure they can withstand all anticipated loadings. He collaborates with the project managers to provide cost-effective designs that are safe and maintain the company’s high quality standards.

He previously worked as a structural engineer on commercial and residential projects for Architectural Engineering Consultants and for Morton Buildings. Prior to this, he was a general civil engineer for Point of Beginning. Some of his most memorable projects in Wisconsin have included the Osceola Athletic Facilities renovation, Lacrosse Candlewood Suites, Luther Hospital parking ramp, Stoney River Assisted Living facilities, and PreventionGenetics’ testing laboratories.

Beyond his professional design experience, Guillickson has a lifetime of appreciation for the construction industry. At a very young age, he assisted his grandfather with house plans and small surveying projects. This led to working for a homebuilder during high school, and for a commercial contractor during college. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Iowa State University.

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Client News: Technoform Bautec expands capacity to meet North American demand for high-performance windows, doors and facades

TechnoformBautec8Anticipating customers’ needs, Technoform Bautec North America, Inc. has increased capacity by 29% to meet growing demand for its polyamide thermal insulating strips. Used in aluminum-framed windows, doors and façades, Technoform Bautec’s strips optimize thermal performance helping products achieve the high-performance criteria to meet current and future design requirements, energy codes and green guidelines for both residential homes and commercial buildings.

“Today’s market continually demands fenestration products that deliver the highest performance,” explained Technoform Bautec general manager John Cari. “Our customers can rely on us to meet anticipated market growth through 2020.”

Mike Berry, extrusion manager for Technoform Bautec, also noted, “Increases in capacity allow us to maintain our make-to-order lead time of 7-10 days or less. Globally, we are the industry leader producing more than 984 million feet of strip each year. We offer more than 600 standard strip designs plus numerous customer-specific designs.”

Linetec’s vice president of operations, Andy Joswiak, are among Technoform Bautec’s customers pleased about the increased capacity. He said, “We count on Technoform to provide us with its thermal strips for many of our customers’ most energy-efficient window and curtainwall products. Although most building owners and occupants may never know it, these strips are crucial to ensuring our customers’ products perform as intended, meeting the highest thermal performance and condensation resistance.”
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Technoform Bautec enhanced its production flexibility by adding new equipment and reconfiguring its existing facility’s floor space in Twinsburg, Ohio. It also has reinforced its essential secondary systems with globally shared production processes and technology, all with respect to its ISO-certified quality assurance practices.

“Beyond quality, reliability and on-time delivery, these improvements and expansions provide customers with supply security, budget-conscious tooling and flexibility for lower volume orders,” added Cari. “We are proud to be a trusted partner and well positioned to meet the industry’s needs into the next decade.”

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Client News: Knutson promotes Tom Wood to project executive, a newly created position

Knutson Construction names Tom Wood project executive. He will continue to oversee projects and team members, and looks forward to supporting the ongoing success of both the company and its staff.Knutson Construction portraits

As part of Knutson’s project management team for the last 11 years, Wood has contributed to dozens of hospitals and health care projects of various sizes and specialties. Most recently, he served as senior project manager on the Mother Baby Center in Minneapolis.

With more than four decades of experience in commercial building design and construction, Wood began his career as a University of Cincinnati architectural student on a summer work-study program with Ellerbe & Co. in Minneapolis. (The based firm later became Ellerbe Beckett and eventually joined with AECOM.)

Transferring his knowledge to construction services, his professional path led to Knutson where his colleagues and clients benefit from his attention to detail in planning, documentation and implementation. Many of the projects on which Wood has worked employ design-build construction methodologies where the architect and general contractor work together as a single entity to provide both design and construction of a project.

Wood actively participates in the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) and has been a member of the Upper Midwest Region for 10 years. Along with enhancing his own professional development, he enjoys sharing his insights with others. “I am happy that this new position gives me more opportunities to mentor our younger project team members, ensuring that they have the proper procedures, tools and support to get the job done well,” says Wood.

He adds, “Beyond helping with the day-to-day project work, I will continue to pursue new projects that fit the company’s best interests and ongoing growth, and bring more opportunities for Knutson’s staff.”

Client News: Hamilton Wood Type reveals four, new limited-edition type specimen sheets; sponsored by Appleton Coated

ACU-HWT_SpecimenSheet5Appleton Coated announces four, new limited-edition type specimen sheets from Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum. Numbers 5-8 in the series, the specimens feature three Hamilton fonts and one from the William Page collection. Appleton Coated showcases these classic typefaces and letterpress printing on Utopia® coated papers and Curious Collection® papers.

These specimen sheets are among the first artifacts to be printed at the museum’s relocation within Two Rivers, Wisconsin. “After nearly a year of packing, loading, moving and fixing, we are happy to complete the successful transition and welcome visitors to our new home,” says Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum’s director, Jim Moran.

Hamilton’s assistant director Stephanie Carpenter, designed specimen sheet No. 5, printed on Curious Matter Desiree Red 100-pound cover sheet, using Hamilton’s #235 font. J.E. Hamilton resorted to a numeral-based naming system because of the proliferation of wood type variations. This handsome high-contrast italic font was used widely in advertising during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Curious Matter, an avant-garde paper made with potato starch, provides a toothy finish allowing the strokes of this font to create a debossed effect that both compresses the fiber and provides contrast in the paper finish when printed via letterpress.
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Jim Moran designed specimen sheet No. 6 and printed on Curious Metallic White Gold 111-pound cover sheet using Hamilton’s #169 font. This font with its elegant swash terminals evokes the design sensibilities of the Art Nouveau, which dominated the late 19th century. Type manufacturers were eager to embrace this trend, which was founded in Europe, but found wide acceptance in the Americas. Metallic papers are especially well suited for the application of oil-based ink. After drying the contrast between paper and ink is especially noticeable.

ACU-HWT_SpecimenSheet7Hamilton’s artistic director Bill Moran designed both specimen sheet No. 7 and No. 8. Specimen sheet No. 7 was printed on Utopia Two:Xtra Green (U2:XG) Ivory Matte 60-pound cover using Hamilton’s Fat Face Roman font. Moran explains, “Fat Face Roman was a widely copied typeface by all major U.S. type makers. The extremely bold face was the byproduct of early American printing where typefaces were expected to ‘shout.’ This face prints handsomely on this ivory matte sheet giving both a muted finish to the ink, while holding on to the subtle hues of letterpress ink.”

Specimen sheet No. 8 is printed on U2:XG Matte 100-pound cover using William Page’s #114 font. William Page started his company in 1856 in Norwich, Conn., and sold his company to Hamilton in 1891. “For 35 years, William Page produced some of the most ornate wood type ever produced in the U.S.,” elaborates Moran. “ The slender serifs aACU-HWT_SpecimenSheet8nd ornamental terminals of this Civil War-era font reproduce beautifully on coated paper. Utopia is especially well suited for showing the fine grain of wood type and printer’s reglet (spacing material), which was used to print the background of this specimen.”

Incorporated 125 years ago in 1889, Appleton Coated has seen many Hamilton fonts printed on its papers. In 2012, Appleton Coated became an official sponsor of the museum’s type specimen sheet archiving program and documentation of its type collection. Appleton Coated provided additional support to the museum during its relocation to 1816 10th Street in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

To commemorate the move, the museum announced an initial public offering (IPO) for two-year Hamilton Museum Charter Memberships. The IPO Certificates may be purchased for $100 each. The memberships are only a part of the Sustainer’s Fund, which plans to raise additional funds for the museum’s future success. Designed by Charles S. Anderson Design Co. and letterpressed by Studio On Fire, each certificate bears the impression a single letter or ampersand from Hamilton’s vast collection.

As curators of one of the premier wood type collections in the world, Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum is the only museum dedicated to the preservation, study, production and printing of wood type. Hamilton’s collection has grown to 1.5 million pieces of wood type and more than 1,000 styles and sizes of patterns.

Self-guided tours of Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum are available Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Guided tours of the museum are provided on the hour in the afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. Hamilton staff host educational demonstrations, field trips, workshops and offer opportunities for artists, printers, historians and other scholars to experiment with its collection. Learn more at http://www.woodtype.org.

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Association News: AAMA Annual Conference online registration closes Feb. 7 Members gather in Walt Disney World, Feb. 16-19, for speakers, sessions and special events

AAMAconf_SamSilversteinOnline registration is open through Feb. 7 for the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 77th Annual Conference held President’s Day weekend, Feb. 16-19, at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort in Orlando. However, attendees may register via paper forms or on-site after Feb. 7. In addition, those who have successfully completed their FenestrationMasters™ coursework will have the opportunity to take their certification exams on-site.

Keynote and Speaker

Entrepreneur, business expert and author of “No More Excuses,” Sam Silverstein, will provide the keynote address on Mon., Feb. 17, 1-2:30 p.m. He will discuss how to identify an organization’s deepest beliefs and how to promote accountability for choices, actions and results.

AAMAconf_LarryMaxwellAIALarry Maxwell, AIA, president of Florida-based Spacecoast Architects, P.A., will speak on Tues., Feb. 18, 1:15-2 p.m., about the benefits and impacts of daylighting and fenestration on building energy efficiency and the impacts of LEED® and building energy codes.

Sessions and Meetings

The Opening General Session begins at 7:30 a.m. on Mon., Feb. 17, followed by committee and task group meetings. Amongst the most popular afternoon meetings, the Vinyl Institute will share its update at 2:30 p.m. and the Life Cycle Assessment Oversight Committee will gather at 4:30 p.m. to review the Product Category Rules document and discuss next steps for participation in Environmental Product Declarations.

The Regulatory Affairs Committee meeting kicks off the morning on Tues., Feb. 18, at 7:30 a.m. Highlights for the afternoon include special presentations at 2:30 p.m. by Azon’s Patrick Muessig to the Aluminum Material Council on thermal trends and at 3 p.m. by Atlas Material Testing’s Scott Zimmerman to the Fiberglass Material Council on life cycle durability.

All members are encouraged to attend the meetings on Wed., Feb. 19, which include reports from the Councils, the Code Action Committee, the Certification Policy Committee, an update on industry organizations and the Closing General Session.

Special Activities and Events

Sun., Feb. 16, 5 p.m. Welcome reception
Mon., Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Reception and Annual Awards Banquet
Tues., Feb. 18, 1 p.m., Annual World Vision Fenestration Humanitarian Award presentation
6 p.m., Closing reception
Wed., Feb. 19, 8 a.m., FenestrationAssociate™ and FenestrationMaster™ certification exams

The AAMA Annual Conference is generously supported by its sponsors. Sapa Extrusions Americas is the platinum sponsor. Gold sponsors include Amesbury Group, Joseph Machine Company, Quanex Building Products, and Zobel North America. Shintech, Inc. is the silver sponsor. Bronze sponsors are Air-Ins Inc.; Dow Corning Corporation; Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.; and Ultrafab, Inc.
To learn more about the conference or to register, visit the AAMA Annual Conference web page or contact Florence Nicolici, AAMA’s meetings manager, fnicolici@aamanet.org.

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Association News: AAMA updates acoustical rating specification

AAMA1801-PR-Pinnacle-Lofts-webThe American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published an updated standard for acoustical performance. AAMA 1801-13, Voluntary Specification for the Acoustical Rating of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Glazed Wall Sections, describes the use of sound transmission loss test data to calculate Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) ratings.

As with any performance parameter, a uniform measurement methodology must be employed to determine how much incident noise a building component or material actually blocks to enable a fair and uniform evaluation of different products.

STC, a single numerical rating of sound transmission, is determined based on sounds of the frequency range typical of human speech. However, the primary outdoor noise sources — cars, motorcycles, trucks, elevated trains and air traffic — have strong low frequency content. The OITC was devised to more accurately represent the attenuation of these lower frequencies.

Because design techniques employed to seal an operable window against air leakage and sound transmission can have a direct effect on the force required to operate the unit, AAMA 1801-13 also requires testing for operating force to ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and codes.

“The recently updated AAMA 1801-13 includes some important information regarding the differences between STC and OITC,” notes Scott Warner (Architectural Testing), chair of the AAMA task group that developed the specification. “This updated AAMA document also clearly highlights the significance of measuring the air leakage, operating force and latching force before a product is tested for acoustical performance. Architects and owners can be confident that fenestration products, tested by accredited laboratories in accordance with AAMA 1801-13, are fully documented inclusive of the installation details and comprehensive description of the product tested.”

AAMA 1801-13, Voluntary Specifications for the Acoustical Rating of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Glazed Wall Sections, is available in AAMA’s Online Publication Store.

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Client News: Kolbe showcases VistaLuxe Collection in three designs: Modern, Mountain Contemporary and Country Contemporary

Kolbe will be exhibiting at the International Builders Show in booth #C2608

Kolbe_VistaLuxe-CountryContemporaryOn exhibit at the 2014 International Builders Show (IBS), Kolbe’s new VistaLuxe™ Collection features multiple design styles that highlight the warmth of wood and expansive glass views with energy-efficient performance. Demonstrating the creative versatility of these products, each wall of the display showcases a distinctive aesthetic – Modern, Mountain Contemporary and Country Contemporary.

“The VistaLuxe Collection display is our showpiece. This is the first time it will be presented at IBS,” says Cindy Bremer, Kolbe’s vice president of marketing. “Kolbe collaboratively developed this new product line with architects specifically seeking contemporary designs to create large expanses of glass. The VistaLuxe Collection elegantly combines multiple units into unique, compatible configurations, while maintaining symmetry and sightlines, delivered by the narrowest of frames.”

The breadth of products in Kolbe’s VistaLuxe Collection includes casements, awnings, direct set windows, inswing and outswing doors and matching transoms, and geometric shapes, plus a new complementary multi-slide door. Minimal frames and stiles optimize daylight openings and maximize viewing areas, while maintaining energy efficiency.
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A range of glass choices assist in addressing different climate zones and performance needs. The IBS display utilizes LoE²-270 glass, which is Kolbe’s standard for double pane insulating glass. Windows from the VistaLuxe Collection also are recognized among the Most Efficient of ENERGY STAR® in 2014.

Along with energy-efficient performance, Kolbe’s IBS exhibit of the VistaLuxe Collection’s designs spotlight different finishes on each of the aluminum exteriors and custom detailing for each of the wood interiors.

* With exterior framing painted in Coal Black, these direct set windows combine with an inswing door unit. The door incorporates narrow stiles and rails painted Fire Engine Red for a striking presentation. The exterior features an Accent style profile, with one direct set sash that demonstrates energy-efficient triple pane glass. On the interior, Maple with Ebony stain and a Dallas style handle in Satin Nickel complete the bold Modern look.

* Featuring the VistaLuxe Collection’s setback Accent style profile, direct sets, picture units, casements and awnings create an expansive, inviting opening. A light Beech wood in a clear finish offers a neat, crisp interior. A custom bullet-shaped interior mull casing, wood-wrapped screen and Satin Nickel hardware add distinguishing details. The eye-catching exterior showcases a Driftwood mica finish to deliver a Modern interpretation of rustic décor in this Mountain Contemporary design.

* Direct sets, picture units, casements and awnings are mulled together and smoothly aligned with the Flush style exterior profile. Exteriors are finished in Clear Anodized to capture a sleek, Modern appearance. For a Country Contemporary look on the interior, pair white-painted Pine windows with dark hardwood floors, country accents and grand views.

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Client News: Knutson moves to new corporate headquarters

Knutson Construction moved to its new corporate headquarters in December. Its new address is 7515 Wayzata Blvd., along Interstate 394 in Minneapolis. Knutson formerly leased space at the Colonnade Tower, less than 2 miles from its new location down Interstate 394.

Knutson began construction in May 2013, acting as the general contractor and self-performing the majority of the project’s structural renovations along with the exterior enhancements.

“Knutson is 100 years strong because of our talented and dedicated employees and they deserve to have a workplace where they not only can be productive, efficient and comfortable, but also a place they can be proud to call their own,” said Steve Curry, president and CEO of Knutson. “We are thrilled to be in a building that not only exemplifies the skills and talents of our staff and our partners, but also bears our name.”

Working closely with HDR Architecture on the design, the new 25,000-square-foot building incorporates special features to bring Knutson’s corporate vision and values to life. These include:
* An open floor plan to foster collaboration
* A 400-square-foot skylight to provide abundant natural light

* Several distinctive conference rooms that recognize Knutson’s craftsman and honor the great state of Minnesota; these are named Concrete, Masonry, Lakes, Woods
* A Vision training and multipurpose room that mirrors Knutson’s purpose statement, “Together, we make dreams real.”
* A 1,300-square-foot outdoor patio with a grill and fire-pit to cultivate fun and friendships

“We look forward to making Knutson a special place to work for our employees and a great place to visit for our partners and clients,” said David Bastyr, executive vice president of Minnesota operations. “We own our offices in Rochester and in Iowa, and are excited to now own our own headquarters in Minneapolis.”


Knutson Headquarters Project Team
* Owner and General Contractor:  Knutson Construction – Minneapolis
* Architect:  HDR, Inc. – Minneapolis
* Mechanical:  Horwitz NS/I – New Hope
* Electrical:  Parsons – Minneapolis
* Fire protection:  Viking SupplyNet – South St. Paul
* Drywall and stucco:  Olympic Companies, Inc. – Minnetonka
* Storefronts:  Brin Contract Glazing – Minneapolis

Fun Facts
* 868,000 vehicles drive by the building per week — a total of 45,136,000 vehicles per year
* 44,000 linear feet of low-voltage cabling was installed for phone/data and temperature control — the equivalent of 122 football fields
* For the last 102 years, Knutson has led the construction of many buildings that shape its community including:
— Children’s Hospitals and Clinics – Minneapolis
— Fairview Hospital & Clinics Projects
— Mother Baby Center – Minneapolis
— Park Nicollet Heart & Vascular Center; Frauenshuh Cancer Center
— Target Field Station (The Interchange)
— Riverside Plaza Renovation
— Mayo Clinic Gonda Building
— Treasure Island Resort & Casino Projects
— Carlson School of Management
— Hennepin County Public Safety Facility
— Minnesota Children’s Museum
— Hennepin County Government Center
— Orpheum Theater
— Minnesota History Center
— Many of the buildings in the 16-block area near Washington and Hennepin Avenues

Photos by Paul Crosby

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Client News: Jim McMahon joins Tubelite in Texas

Tubelite_JimMcMahonTubelite Inc. has added Jim McMahon as a client development manager based in Houston and reporting to regional sales manager Terry Robinholt. McMahon will assist architects and glazing contractors with their commercial glazing needs including storefront, curtainwall, entrances and daylight control systems.

McMahon previously worked for C.R. Laurence Co., Inc./U.S. Aluminum as an architectural sales representative in the Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi area. Throughout his career, he has held various sales and management roles at YKK AP America, Inc.; Craftsman Fabricated Glass, Ltd.; Oldcastle Glass (now, Oldcastle Building Envelope); and Arch Aluminum and Glass Co., Inc.

A member of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), McMahon earned his Construction Documents Technology certification. Helping others maintain their professional credentials and knowledge, he shares Tubelite’s continuing education presentations with other members of CSI and approved courses to American Institute of Architects’ members.

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Client News: Kolbe expands palette to include stylish mica colors

Kolbe will be exhibiting at the International Builders Show in booth #C2608

Kolbe has added 13 mica finishes, expanding VistaLuxe™ Collection and Ultra Series products’ color choices. These new colors broaden the palette for commercial and residential projects, whether new construction or renovation. As with Kolbe’s other fluoropolymer exterior finishes, these mica painted coatings are backed with a 30-year warranty.

The new hues are exclusively available for Kolbe’s VistaLuxe Collection and Ultra Series’ exterior aluminum clad windows and doors. Kolbe’s 13 mica colors include:Kolbe_MicaFinishes
* Cashmere Pearl
* Driftwood
* Hazelnut
* Espresso
* Autumn Spice
* Golden Harvest
* Pesto
* Pearlescent White
* Galaxy Silver
* Silverstorm
* Cosmic Gray
* Night Sky
* Café Noir

Mica finishes’ vibrancy is attributed to the way visible light reflects off the mica flakes within the painted coating. Along with their visual appeal, these fluoropolymer finishes resist chemicals, abrasion, corrosion, chalking and erosion. The coating’s 70% PVDF composition maintains film integrity and retaining the color and gloss. Demonstrating these qualities, Kolbe’s mica finishes are tested to meet AAMA-2605, the industry’s most stringent standard for organic coatings on aluminum extrusions.

To request a brochure with Kolbe’s mica finish options, please use the “Contact Us” form at www.kolbe-kolbe.com or visit us the 2014 International Builders Show in booth #C2608.

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