Schaumburg, Ill. — American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) will host its 74th Annual Conference for fenestration industry leaders and decision makers, Feb. 20-23, at the Loews Coronado Bay Hotel in Coronado (San Diego). The conference will feature keynote speaker Eric Chester, the founder and president of Generation Why, Inc., a training and consulting firm helping leading companies and organizations recruit, train, manage, motivate and retain the best Generation Y employees. His keynote speech is titled “Generation Why: Making Your New Workforce Work” and will address the changing workforce and the driving force behind this change – a new breed of employees coming into the job market with a different set of attitudes, values and expectations.

“Our industry is experiencing a legislative and regulatory landscape of unprecedented and rapid change. It is more vital than ever to stay informed about the issues that affect the day-to-day operations of our member companies and their customers,” says Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO. “These conferences and meetings serve as a time to establish and reinforce association-wide initiatives that ensure the voices and concerns of our members are heard.”

Also convening at the Annual Conference is the AAMA Green and Sustainability Specification Development Task Group, which was formed for the purpose of creating specifications for the proposed AAMA Green Products Certification Programs. Guidelines to manage the development of the AAMA Green Products Certification Programs have been recommended and will be reviewed during this general session meeting. Additionally, the group will address next steps for completing ballot criteria for R and LC class products, per the product types in the NAFS-08 standard*. Due to high interest in this initiative, the schedule has again been arranged so that no other meetings occur during this time period in order for all conference attendees to be able to participate in this meeting. Brief updates also will be provided regarding the development of the companion programs for CW and AW class products and for skylights and sloped glazing products.

In addition, AAMA’s Annual Awards Banquet provides attendees the opportunity to honor the leaders, chairs and many members who are responsible for AAMA’s continued success.

Two additional national conferences and two regional meetings also are planned for 2011. AAMA’s complete 2011 schedule of events includes:
* Feb. 20-23, 74th Annual Conference at the Loews Coronado Bay Hotel in Coronado (San Diego)
* April 6-7, Western Region Spring Meeting at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Ariz.
* May 3-4, Southeast Region Spring Meeting at the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.
* June 5-9, AAMA National Summer Conference at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis
* Sept. 25-28, AAMA National Fall Conference at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Springs, Calif.

“The national conferences and regional meetings address issues of critical importance to AAMA’s member companies, both large and small, domestic and international, that manufacture window, door, skylight, curtain wall and storefront products” says Walker. “AAMA’s councils and committees represent the full spectrum of framing materials sold into both the commercial and residential market segments.”

In addition to the 2011 dates listed above, 2012 events are also available on the events page of the AAMA website at www.aamanet.org/events. For more information on AAMA’s events, please e-mail Florence Nicolici, AAMA meetings manager, at fnicolici@aamanet.org.

* AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/IS2/A440-08, the North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights.

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Wausau, Wis. — Eastern Michigan University (EMU) recently remodeled its First-Year Center adding visual interest to its campus, thanks to the angled, copper-colored windows from Wausau Window and Wall Systems.

The freshman-focused facility includes a dining commons and four wings of a residential hall, which house 600 students. Many of the center’s windows were original to its 1960s construction and needed to be replaced with newer, energy-efficient windows and frames. Rather than replicate the existing flush-frame window placement, Detroit-based Hamilton Anderson Associates put a geometric spin on the project, setting the frames at various angles against the building.

To attain the architect’s unique design, glazing contractor Trainor Glass Company installed more than 675 operable, high-performance, Advantage by Wausau® 2250-LP Series low-profile windows. Ideally suited for educational facility renovations, Advantage by Wausau products are competitively priced, available on an accelerated delivery schedule, and backed with an industry-leading warranty of up to 10 years.

For EMU’s First-Year Center, Wausau’s Low Profile Series earned an AAMA AW-60 rating, as well as helped to increase daylighting, lower U-Factor and widen the view. The 2250-LP Series fixed windows can achieve a U-Factor as low as 0.32 BTU/hr.sqft.degF in winter months (R 3.1). During the summer months, screens keep out insects, while allowing for natural ventilation. Contributing to the windows’ performance are the Low-E insulating glass from Viracon, Inc. and the thermal barriers applied by Linetec.

Linetec also applied the eco-friendly, copper anodized finish on Wausau’s 2.5-inch-deep, aluminum framing. Compared with traditional etch processes, Linetec’s anodize process for Wausau consumes less energy and reduces waste sent to landfills by 90%. This low-maintenance, durable finish maintains its frosty, matte, copper color and does not patina over time. Its striking contrast to the center’s blond brick exterior will remain as the architects’ envisioned it for years to come.

Looking toward the future, the $3.1 million window renovation is part of the University’s “Education First! Initiative.” The initiative calls for many campus buildings to be upgraded to provide a more comfortable environment for students and staff. Additional improvements to the First-Year Center include a major, exterior cleaning; new siding; new elevators; and new wireless Internet throughout the complex.

“The renovations we made upgraded and modernized this highly utilized facility,” said John Donegan, EMU’s chief of operations. “Not only will it be more energy-efficient, but the exterior renovations will make the entire complex more attractive and visually-appealing for our students.”

Eastern Michigan University, First-Year Center; Ypsilanti, Mich.
* Owner: Eastern Michigan University; Ypsilanti, Mich.
* Architect: Hamilton Anderson Associates; Detroit
* Glazing contractor: Trainor Glass Company; Allan Park, Mich.
* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Wausau Window and Wall Systems; 2250-LP Series low-profile windows; Wausau, Wis.
* Glazing systems – glass assemblies: Viracon, Inc.; Owatonna, Minn.; blue-green VRE-67 Low-E
* Glazing systems – finisher: Linetec; eco-friendly copper anodize; Wausau Wis.

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Rolling Meadows, Illinois (Jan. 7, 2011) — Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is pleased to announce that the national “Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” was passed on December 17, 2010 during the lame duck session and was signed into law by President Barak Obama on January 4, 2011. The bill becomes effective January 4, 2014, allowing ample time for manufacturers to comply.

This bill lowers the national standard for lead in faucets, pipes and pipefittings to 0.25%. “The previous national standard was 8.0%, which the industry considered too high,” explains PMI Executive Director, Barbara Higgens. “Many in the plumbing manufacturing industry are already meeting these reduced standards. However, without a uniform national standard, a patchwork of requirements could have emerged.”

According to Higgens, “PMI was on top of this legislation from its inception and worked to aggressively lobby members of the Senate and House to pass the bill through Capitol Hill visits, letters and phone calls to representatives. This bill harmonizes lead standards across the country. These standards were already achieved in California, and in Maryland and Vermont through PMI’s active lobbying efforts.”

“This is an exciting victory, primarily for consumers, and also for the plumbing manufacturing industry, as well as for wholesalers, retailers, contractors and others involved with the production, distribution, sales and installation of these products,” says Higgens. “There is widespread support within the industry for this legislation, including the members of PMI, which make up 95% of the small, medium and large plumbing manufacturers.”

Higgens adds, “PMI’s effort and the effort of our Washington, D.C., lobbying team of Diana Waterman and Stephanie Salmon exemplify the purpose and value of our association, as well as our collective strength in numbers. PMI Board members, staff and member company lobbyists joined forces to make Hill visits and build coalitions to ensure passage of the bill.”

For more information about “The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act,” please contact PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens at 847-481-5500.

About PMI:
Plumbing Manufacturers International is the voluntary, not-for-profit international industry association of manufacturers of plumbing products, serving as the Voice of the Plumbing Industry. Member companies produce a substantial quantity of the world’s plumbing products.

For more information on PMI, contact the association at 1921 Rohlwing Road, Unit G, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008; tel.: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. Visit http://www.pmihome.org, http://www.safeplumbing.org.

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Kolbe will be exhibiting at International Builders Show 2011 in booth #W929

During the 2011 International Builders’ Show (IBS), Kolbe will showcase the flexibility and functionality of its Ultra TerraSpan® Lift and Slide doors, new Folding doors, and Point Five’s electronically-operating sliding doors.

Kolbe’s sliding and folding doors are offered in numerous panel configurations, a broad palette of finishes and interior wood species, and other accessories to coordinate with nearly any décor. Promoting a visual and physical connection with the surrounding environment, these door products are ideally suited to capture the views, natural light, fresh air and outdoor experience for hotel guests, restaurant patrons, storefront shoppers and homeowners.

Kolbe’s Folding Door Systems’ panels fold back against each other to create an expansive opening. The new model on display at IBS positions sliding panels on right side and a matching access door on the left. Both the access and folding door panels showcase a uniform, optional 4-5/8-inch bottom rail to maximize the views even when the doors are closed, and to accommodate a larger size of high performance LoE²-270 glass. A specially-designed, thermal weep sill enhances the door’s energy-efficiency, while optional, concealed hardware, architecturally-correct mortised hinges and other design details accentuate its traditional aesthetic.

For dramatically large openings, Ultra TerraSpan Lift and Slide doors can incorporate up to 10 panels per unit with a 12-foot maximum panel height. Matching the Folding Door Systems’ sightlines, TerraSpan Lift and Slide doors maximize the viewing area with 4-5/8-inch-wide stiles and rails. TerraSpan units feature architecturally-correct coped corners where stiles meet rails, ADA-compliant bottom panel rails, energy efficient glass and sill options, and a choice of screens, hardware, finishes, exterior colors and interior wood species. The door’s panels can pocket into a wall or stack together, and can be arranged in more than 900 operational configurations.

Specialty, sliding doors with electronic operations also are available through Kolbe’s subsidiary, Point Five® Windows. Point Five custom designs and fabricates products for ultra-luxury homes and commercial projects. At IBS, Point Five presents a motorized, sliding Mahogany door unit with a stainless steel draining sill and a matching, motorized hopper windows.

Balancing daylighting and energy efficiency, these doors are available in climate-appropriate, high performance glass options. Kolbe’s broad palette of environmentally-friendly finishes protect the exterior cladding, which includes recycled aluminum. A range of sustainably-harvested wood species can be chosen for the interior trim such as those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Kolbe’s doors’ environmental attributes also support projects pursuing green goals including ENERGY STAR®, Green Globes™, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System™.

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Appleton Coated convenes 2011 Design Council

Appleton Coated announces the 2011 Design Council, a panel of leading designers and print communications specialists. Each year, the Council gathers from across North America to share their observations from their geographical and professional areas. Appleton Coated will host the Design Council’s first 2011 meeting in Chicago this January.

The 2011 Appleton Coated Design Council members include:
* Bill Thorburn, founding principal at The Thorburn Group in Minneapolis;
* Bryan Peterson, owner and principal at Peterson Ray & Company in Dallas;
* John Connolly, principal and creative director at Ideas On Purpose in New York;
* Justin Ahrens, principal at Rule29 in Geneva, Ill.;
* Kathleen Turaski, co-founder and principal at Resonance Marketing in Decatur, Ga.;
* Michael Eads, principal and director of production at Sametz Blackstone Associates in Boston;
* Ray Talamo, director of design at Roger Williams University‘s Department of Marketing Communications in Bristol, R.I.; and
* Tim Hale, senior vice president of design management and marketing at Fossil, Inc. in Richardson, Texas.

“Now in its 16th year, we meet to learn first-hand about issues and trends that they observe in their practice and to share trends that we see in paper and print. Engaging designers in a dialogue about their business and ours helps us to shape a relevant marketing program that supports our customers’ success,” says Ferkó Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager at Appleton Coated.

Along with discussing industry issues and trends, the Appleton Coated Design Council reviews the entries for the U360 Design Competition. The Council’s selections recognize the effective, creative role that printed communication plays in marketing mix. The 2011 winners will be announced in the second quarter of 2011. The U360 submissions produced in 2010 were printed all, or in part, on Utopia and/or Curious Collection papers. Entries for the 2012 competition will be accepted through December 2011.

For more information about the 2011 Appleton Coated Design Council, U360 Competition, Utopia and Curious Collection, visit appletoncoated.com and curiouspapers.com.

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Fact Sheet – Appleton Coated 2011 Design Council

Bill Thorburn
Founding Principal; The Thorburn Group; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bill Thorburn opened up Thorburn Design in 1994 with the pioneering vision that a design firm could take a greater role in brand development. He has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious brands: Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson, Disney, Formica, United Colors of Benetton, Nike, Porsche, LaCoste and Capital Records. His work has been exhibited worldwide and within the permanent collections of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and of Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian Institution and Library of Congress.

Bryan Peterson
Owner & Principal; Peterson Ray & Company; Dallas, Texas

Bryan Peterson founded PR&C, a visionary branding communications firm, in 1985. Since then, his work has appeared often in leading design journals. Clients include some of the nation’s most prestigious schools and Fortune 500 companies. His best-selling book is used as a design textbook on campuses nationwide. In addition to his passion for design, Peterson pounds out boogie-woogie piano for a Texas-based singer-songwriter and relishes the quality of life creativity brings in any format.

John Connolly
Principal; Creative Director; Ideas On Purpose; New York City, New York

John Connolly, along with two partners, formed design studio Ideas On Purpose in 2000. He is responsible for creating and managing ongoing brand expressions for clients, particularly when it comes to communicating complex ideas. His expertise in typography and information design has guided branding programs, identity work, interactive projects and annual reports for clients ranging from Moody’s, Black & Decker and Tyco, to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Connolly has taught at School of Visual Arts in New York and is currently on the faculty of the graphic design department at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. His work has been awarded and published in Communication Arts, HOW, AIGA’s periodicals, Black Book’s AR100, I.D. and Graphic Design: USA.

Justin Ahrens
Principal; Rule29; Geneva, Illinois

Justin Ahrens is the principal of Rule29, a strategic creative firm located in Geneva, Ill. His work has been recognized by leading publications, including Communication Arts, HOW, Print, Graphis, Create, Rockport Publishers’ books and STEP. In 2004, Graphic Design: USA chose him as one of the top designers to watch. He frequently spreads his “making creative matter” mantra while speaking at various events, and has served on the AIGA and the HOW Advisory Board, as well as on the Appleton Coated Design Council.

Kathleen Turaski
Co-founder & Principal; Resonance Marketing; Atlanta, Georgia

As principal of Resonance, Kathleen Turaski helps organizations communicate more effectively. For more than 15 years, she has applied imagination and vision to identity design, print communications, interactive experience design and more. Turaski is active in the International Association of Business Communicators and has served on the board for the Atlanta chapter of AIGA. She also has taught design at Creative Circus, an advertising and design school, and shares her insights at conferences and through the Resonance blog, Re)verb.

Michael Eads
Principal & Director of Production; Sametz Blackstone Associates; Boston, Massachusetts

Michael Eads is principal and director of production with Sametz Blackstone Associates, a Boston-based consultancy offering brand strategy, design and digital media to local, national and global clients. He has produced projects with clients including MIT Sloan School of Management, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Harvard University and Mt. Sinai Medical Center. His work has been published in Communication Arts, Print and Graphic Design: USA. When he’s not on press, Eads can be found (or sometimes lost) walking his faithful dog, Moxie, in Boston’s Arnold Arboretum, just steps from his home.

Ray Talamo
Director of Design; Roger Williams University, Department of Marketing Communications;
Bristol, Rhode Island

Originally from New York, Ray Talamo has applied his corporate and identity experience to higher education through strategic publication redesign and institutional rebranding efforts. He has been an active member of the University & College Designers Association, American Marketing Association, various AIGA chapters and was a member of the inaugural Board of AIGA Rhode Island. His work has been recognized by the City of Rochester, the Rochester Advertising Federation, Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Higher Education Marketing Report’s Educational Advertising Awards. Talamo has a wife, a son and a sizeable comic book collection.

Tim Hale
Senior Vice President of Design Management and Marketing; Fossil, Inc.; Richardson, Texas

Tim Hale joined Fossil, Inc., in 1987 to start and lead the fashion accessories company’s in-house design department. He now oversees a staff of 100+ members who are responsible for the design and production of packaging, graphics and on/off-line marketing collateral for six divisions of Fossil-branded products. Hale’s work frequently has appeared in Communication Arts, Print, HOW, Graphis, Black Book’s AR100, Graphic Design: USA, and STEP. He has served as a competition juror and speaker for numerous events, including AIGA, HOW Design Conference, I.D. magazine, North Texas Business Committee for the Arts, Type Directors Club of New York and the Design Management Institute. Some of his packaging design is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Architecture and Design in Chicago. In his downtime, Hale enjoys touring the country with his wife on their motorcycle and working on a photo journal of five years of her photography from the back of the bike.

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Filed under: Appleton Coated, CLIENT NEWS, People, Type-Paper-Print | Comments Off on 12.27.10 Client News

Kolbe enters the New Year with a new website

While the address remains the same, www.kolbe-kolbe.com has been remodeled and re-introduced in time for the New Year and for the 2011 International Builders’ Show (IBS). Kolbe’s website features a fresh design with more project photos, an updated navigation system with more direct connections to the most-popular sections, and an expanded gallery and architect library for the latest resources.

“The site is more inviting, simple to use and easy to find the latest news, products, contacts and inspiration,” says Cindy Bremer, Kolbe’s vice president of marketing.

The new menu highlights links to information that appeals to all audiences including architects, builders and homeowners. For its debut, the website’s Gallery includes an IBS Slideshow in addition to project photos, success stories and videos. The What’s New section also highlights many of the products on display at IBS, such as triple pane glass options, the Ultra TerraSpan® Lift and Slide door, and Folding doors.

For deeper information, visitors can explore Kolbe-Kolbe.com’s Capabilities page. This section presents in-depth content addressing residential and non-residential projects’ universal design, historic, renovation, impact resistant, energy-efficient and sustainable design goals. Each topic offers more connections to tips, tools, online resources, project profiles and Kolbe products.

The Product Info page shares a wealth of material on Ultra Series aluminum-clad wood products; Heritage Series all-wood products, Classic Series roll-formed aluminum-clad wood products; and vinyl products from the Latitude® Series and Windquest® Series. Visitors can select either a product line or by the product type, and learn more about products’ options, warranties, installation and maintenance instructions.

The Architect Library contains Kolbe’s database of products’ sizes, 2-D and 3-D drawings and specifications; energy and performance data and interactive tools; green and sustainability attributes; online calculation tools and other project support services. Visitors also can sign-up to access tutorials, webinars, e-newsletters and continuing education courses approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA/CES).

At the top of every page and in the Contact Us section, visitors can enter their ZIP code and search where to buy Kolbe’s products. Other Kolbe dealers, regional managers and offices also are noted.

At the bottom of each page, Kolbe’s site encourages social media users to click-through to its Facebook Fan Page to “like,” “favorite,” share, comment and contribute their own stories and experiences with Kolbe’s products. To learn more about Kolbe’s physical locations, history as a family business, upcoming trade shows and industry affiliations, visit the Our Company section.
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Filed under: AIA, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Homes + Neighborhoods, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Products, Projects, USGBC | Comments Off on 12.27.10 Client News

Four AIA/CES programs now available online at WausauWindow.com

Four of the most-popular, Wausau Window and Wall Systems® educational programs are now offered online at WausauWindow.com:
* Window Selection for Sustainability and Long-Term Performance (1.0 LU/HSW/SD)
* Curtainwalls: Products, Performance and Practicalities (1.0 LU/HSW)
* Daylighting and Integrated Façade Design (1.0 LU/HSW/SD)
* Understanding U-Factors (1.0 LU/HSW/SD)

As a registered American Institute of Architects’ Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) provider, Wausau’s four, online programs address fenestration in commercial and institutional building designs such as government offices, health care facilities, schools and universities.

“Packed with valuable, technical information on the building envelope, each course uses an intuitive, self-guided, PDF presentation format and includes online testing, scoring and completion certificate request,” says John Bendt, Wausau’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Wausau’s long-standing commitment to architects, and to the whole building team, includes providing consultations, pre-bid design engineering assistance, and 24/7 access to product details, technical specifications and sustainable design information. Online energy modeling tools also have been added to WausauWindow.com to facilitate green product selection and optimization.

Sustainable Design (SD) is now part of AIA-registered architects’ continuing education requirements of earning 18 Learning Units (LUs) in a calendar year. Of these, eight must be in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) subjects. SD is a subset of HSW. Four of the eight HSW LUs must meet the established SD guidelines for mandatory continuing education. For additional information, please visit AIA.org/education.

For architectural firms seeking customized educational content, Wausau technical sales presenters have covered such topics as:
* Codes and Standards
* The USGBC LEED® Rating System™
* Unitized Curtainwall Design
* Patient Safety in Health Care Construction
* Façade-Integrated Photovoltaics

To request a presentation or other educational information from Wausau Window and Wall Systems, please e-mail info@wausauwindow.com.

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Filed under: AIA, Buildings + Infrastructure, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Products, USGBC, Wausau Window and Wall Systems | Comments Off on 12.23.10 Client News

PMI Welcomes Member Services Committee Co-Chair

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) President Lee Mercer of Moen Incorporated has made his selection for a new co-chair to help lead PMI’s Member Services Committee. Tom Liebhardt of Moen Incorporated will serve alongside existing Co-Chair Rick Reles, vice president, kitchens, cast iron and corporate accounts worldwide for Kohler Co.

Tom Liebhardt

Liebhardt has held the position of senior director of marketing in wholesale for Moen Incorporated for three years. He directs a department of people responsible for product management, channel marketing, marketing communications, public relations and brand management. He has been with Moen for five years.

While effective immediately, the three-year term for this position officially begins with the 2011 PMI Spring Meeting, being held March 27-30 at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. Mercer’s decision to appoint Liebhardt was based upon PMI meeting attendance, leadership, expertise and an overall commitment to PMI.

PMI congratulates Liebhardt and thanks all those who submitted their names for the available position.

Filed under: ASSOCIATION NEWS, People | Comments Off on 12.22.10 Association News

PMI praises passage of “The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act”

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) and its members successfully urged congressional leaders to expedite the passage of “The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” (S. 3874).

The law provides for a 36-month implementation period, after which time manufacturers and importers will be required to comply with the new, consistent standard. This uniformly reduces the lead standard for pipes, pipe fittings and plumbing fittings from as much as 8.0% to 0.25% across the nation, which is consistent with the current laws in California, Vermont and Maryland.

“It is an exciting victory, primarily for consumers, and also for the plumbing manufacturing industry, as well as for wholesalers, retailers, contractors and others involved with the production, distribution, sales and installation of these products,” says PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens.

PMI and its members have devoted several years to nurturing relationships, educating decision makers and advocating for dramatically lowering 0.25% standard for lead in the Safe Drinking Water Act. Higgens adds, “At times, the effort has been challenging. The victory exemplifies the purpose and value of our association as we tapped into the strengths of our members. Their focus and efforts under the leadership of our Washington office were outstanding. The effort reinforces our commitment to protecting the future of our national and local water supply through water-efficient plumbing products and practices that provide clean, safe, drinking water.”

PMI’s work with the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee spurred the introduction and approval of “The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act.” This included previously-approved language from the “Assistance, Quality and Affordability Act of 2010″ (AQUA – H.R. 5320), but as a stand-alone bill that imposed no cost to the federal government.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and other, bipartisan representatives sponsored “The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act.” The U.S. Senate approved it on a voice vote. Prior to the final adjournment of the 111th Congress, the U.S. Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent, followed by the House of Representatives approving the bill on a 226-109 vote.

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Filed under: ASSOCIATION NEWS, Buildings + Infrastructure, Homes + Neighborhoods, Products | Comments Off on 12.20.10 Association News

Adams County Justice Center’s new wing matches existing look, manages energy demands, serves growing population

Adams County officials dedicated the expansion of their Adams County Justice Center at 1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton, Colo., in October 2009. The expansion accommodates the community’s substantial growth since the first phase opened in 1998. The new Phase II, 103,000-square-foot addition provides 12 more courtrooms, 10 more conference rooms, more offices and enhanced technology to meet the County’s existing and future needs.

Time Frame Images

Designed by Heery International‘s Denver design office, the architects sought to match the existing aesthetic, provide views and daylighting, and efficiently manage energy use. To accomplish these design goals, Wausau Window and Wall Systems engineered and manufactured 21,265 square feet of its HP-Wall Series’ high-performance curtainwall system.

Structural consultant, Martin/Martin, Inc., developed a 3-D building information model (BIM) during the early-stages of design. “The model illustrated and clarified the curtainwall’s anchorage requirements at the existing building interface, which were too complex for 2-D details,” says Tom Mifflin, Wausau’s government market manager. “Using BIM tools, along with a collaborative design process, contributed to a very successful project. This avoided potential scheduling delays and costly rework during installation.”

On April 25, 2008, the Adams County Justice Center expansion broke ground. Construction was substantially completed in October 2009 and opened in December. GE Johnson Construction Company (GEJCC) of Colorado Springs, Colo., served as the general contractor.

“The project was completed on time and on budget, which is what we all strive for on a project,” Matt Richardson, project manager with glazing contractor Harmon, Inc.‘s Denver team. He adds that Wausau, and other building team members and manufacturers, “were invaluable to Harmon throughout the process. They helped us not only fine-tune the systems and application, but also were key players in developing the construction schedule for the general contractor.”

The GEJCC Team approved a select list of subcontractors to provide bids and Harmon was the successful, qualified bidder. To meet the very high performance requirements established by the owner and architect, Harmon was brought on board immediately to review and assist the Team with the exterior envelope final detailing. This allowed the submittal process to be streamlined and provided open dialogue between the design and construction teams. “We had a great line of communication between all parties that did nothing but help the flow of information and develop relationships required for this high level of construction” Mike Kosters with GEJCC stated.

GEJCC included the glazing team early in the project’s development, according to Joel Watson, Harmon’s senior sales representative. Watson emphasizes that this involvement was important “to review and assist the design team with the exterior envelope of the building.”

Time Frame Images

The glass for the new wing’s curtainwall matches the original glass curtainwall system in performance and aesthetic. “For an exact match, we supplied the same, low-E, blue-green, insulated glass that we previously supplied to the existing Justice Facility,” says Cameron Scripture, sales representative for Viracon, Inc.

Complementing the glass in color and in performance, Linetec provided the thermal barrier system and the Sea Foam Green painted finish on Wausau’s curtainwall and window systems. “The multi-level thermal barrier contribute to our HP-Wall‘s best-in-class thermal performance,” explains Kevin Robbins, Wausau’s regional sales manager. “In addition to helping keep occupants comfortable, this works in conjunction with the building’s exterior solar fins to reduce the demands placed on the building’s HVAC capacity and lower operating costs.”

The system’s durable finishes also lowers maintenance and associated costs. On the curtainwall’s interior, a baked enamel finish was used to withstand the daily use of a public facility. For the aluminum framing exposed to Colorado’s challenging climate, the curtainwall’s exterior was painted with the most weather-resistant of all architectural finishes, a 70% Kynar® coating.

This same coating and color also was applied by Linetec to the Justice Center’s storefront and entrance systems, supplied by Tubelite Inc. “The doors feature wide stiles, which work well with heavy traffic,” says Rick Middleton, Tubelite’s sales representative. “They can take the punishment of constant use demanded by a growing community.”

Adams County‘s population has quadrupled since the original, six-story justice center opened in 1998. By 2007, the 17th Judicial District’s caseload exceeded the capacity offered by the 21 courtrooms. Currently, the fifth most populous county in the state, Adams County is projected to be the fastest growing county in the Denver metropolitan region throughout the next two decades.

With this foresight, the County’s voters approved continuing a one-half cent sales tax for the next 20 years to finance the $28 million construction project. On April 25, 2008, the Adams County Justice Center expansion broke ground. Construction was substantially completed in October 2009 and opened in December.

Time Frame Images

“Growth issues extend to every aspect of Adams County life now, and Adams County deserves this courthouse to keep public safety at the forefront,” said District Attorney Don Quick. “We have a wonderful building, not just because of the structure, but because of the quality people in the structure. I’m as proud of what goes on inside this facility as I am of the facility itself.”

“When designing the courthouse expansion, we incorporated lessons learned from courts and County staff that operated the Justice Center over the past decade,” said Ted Halsey, Heery executive associate and design principal for the project. Each position in the courtroom is fully ADA-compliant for wheelchair accessibility. Aiming to increase user convenience and comfort, Heery expanded the lobby and screening areas to accommodate long visitor lines. To handle increased court operations, it also includes a new 500-seat jury room with landscaped outdoor garden area along with additional clerks’ offices and public walk-up counters.

“This isn’t just any old building,” said Sheriff Doug Darr. “It is a place where victims and those accused seek justice, where people get the opportunity to tell their story and be heard. This expansion provides us the opportunity to handle more load and volume for a safer and more efficient community.”

Heery International

Adams County Justice Center, Brighton, Colo.
* Owner: Adams County; Brighton, Colo.

* Architect: Heery International, Inc.; Denver

* General contractor: GE Johnson Construction Co.; Colorado Springs, Colo.

* Structural consultant: Martin/Martin, Inc.; Lakewood, Colo.

* Mechanical, electrical and industrial process consulting engineers: RMH Group, Inc.; Lakewood, Colo.

* Glazing systems – consultant: Curtainwall Design & Consulting, Inc. (CDC); Dallas

* Glazing contractor: Harmon, Inc.; Denver

* Glazing systems – manufacturer: Wausau Window and Wall Systems; Wausau, Wis.; HP-Wall Series, plus 3250Z Series project-out awning windows with screens

* Glazing systems – glass assemblies: Viracon, Inc.; Owatonna, Minn.; VE-6-55

* Glazing systems – storefront and entrance systems: Tubelite Inc.; Walker, Mich.; 400 Series curtainwall, plus seven pairs and two single Wide Stile doors

* Glazing systems – finisher: Linetec; Wausau Wis.; 70% Kynar® PVDF resin, Duranar® Sea Foam Green on exterior, plus Acra-Bond® baked enamel on interior

Filed under: Buildings + Infrastructure, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Harmon, Inc., Linetec, Projects, Tubelite Inc., Wausau Window and Wall Systems | Comments Off on 12.14.10 Client News