Squarespace

1) Squarespace - curved glass

Challenge

  • The glass of this office partition is just caught by Top-and-bottom channels.

  • So, by definition, the glass is taller than the space between floor and ceiling.

  • If it was flat glass, the installation of the glass would “simply” require to tilt the glass a bit, insert it into the Top channel, until the bottom of the glass clears the Bottom channel, then drop the glass down into the Bottom channel.

  • But, due to geometry constraint, this typical operation is not doable with curved glass.

Solution

  • Keep the ceiling unfinished and open until the curved glass is set.

  • Cut the curved top channel on the waterjet, and make the outter lip removable.

  • Approach the curved glass, stand it inside the bottom channel first, then reinstall the removable lip of the top channel, and lock the glass in.

Design-build of the HeadQuarter of the company (3 floors office space). This project involved bent glass, numerous alignments with the millwork (the 2 1/4” slat pattern must start and end on a full slat) and with the concrete openings through floors and roof. A great cooperation between trades was required to achieve the design.

2) Squarespace - stair bulkhead

Challenge

The geometry of the exact pitch of this bulkhead is driven by multiple field conditions :

  • the bottom of the stair cannot infringe more than a certain distance in the space of the lowerfloor.

  • the intermediate platform must be of a minimum length in order to respect NYC code.

  • the headroom must be minimum 6'-10" everywhere, the tightest point being at the transition ceiling / bulkhead.

Furthermore :

  • This cladded system must be watertight all throughout.

  • When condensation happens on the interior side of the glass, the interior horizontal profiles must have a discreet gutter to evacuate pearling water towards outside.

Solution

  • Set layout coordination meetings with design team and all associated trades (structural steel, sprinklers, electrical, gyps drywall, millwork).

  • Build a temporary jig to confirm all measurements.

  • Fabricate a custom supplemental steel structure.

  • Cladd it with existing alum extrusions, select a system premade for skylites, and add discreet gutters made of bent aluminum.