Structure within a Structure

Construction is underway for this 'structure within a stucture' which allows for a barn/stable-like building within a prefabricated steel structure one. This space allows for horse stalls, diagnostic procedures, laboratories and office space for a team of veterinarians serving performance and elite horses.

Downlighting

Characteristics of D O W N L I G H T I N G luminates:

• versatile

Are you looking for general or ambient lighting?

Do you want to accent, task light, graze, wall wash or use in a wet location?

• control

Do you want to direct the light or its' intensity?

Using baffles, slopes, eyeballs, shields, recesses can achieve your intent.

• high performance

Lamp and fixture are efficient.

Incandescent light bulbs are being phased out and replaced with low voltage, compact fluorescent, HID and LED lighting

Easy to maintain.

• aesthetic

Available in a variety of finishes to coordinate with any decor

ADA

ADA is for encumbered people, not just disabled people.

Americans With Disabilities Act was enacted by Congress in 1990. The original intent was to create protections for people with disabilities that would be permanent and would prohibit discrimination.

• New commercial buildings must have accessible doorways, ramps and restrooms
• ADA requires existing public businesses to remove structural barriers that prevent equal access, "where such removal is readily achievable."
• ADA requires that "alternative methods" must be used to provide access when removal of barriers is not achievable.

Aside from plan changes allowing for wider openings, ramps, etc., acceptable design sometimes requires changes in hardware. This change is beneficial in removing barriers which then provide greater accessibility. These hardware changes might include include such things as:

1. Lever operated mechanisms, push-type mechanisms and U shaped handles
2. Automatic Doors and Power Assisted doors which comply with ANSI codes

Hardware + Construction

In construction design, hardware is more than nuts & bolts.  In the design of buildings we think about locks, edge devices, hinges, exit devices and stops. We look at these in regard to:

• fire and life safety
• theft
• aesthetics and
• ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act)

Dorma Architectural hardware rep, Michael O'Conner presented us with the attributes of builder's hardware. Builders' hardware follows specifications, provides longevity and follows fire codes. Architectural hardware does not. Can aesthetics and safety meet?  This German company seems to offer architectural hardware which is a builder's hardware.

From the Dorma website....                                                                                                                       "Knowledgeable and responsive customer service. Products that offer the highest levels of safety and security. Quality Solutions. These are the driving forces behind DORMA Architectural Hardware. Built on a tradition of innovation and responsiveness, DORMA Architectural Hardware markets a wide range of state-of-the-art and aesthetically-pleasing commercial door hardware."

  

Hardware and Safety....  besides the many choices of hinges, locking systems and openers (which can make a building safer during a crisis),  there is another system which provides help for people needing to evacuate a building quickly. Photoluminescence can be integrated in a variety of materials and will produce a glow in darkness.  When in a floor, this glow helps people find their way out in an emergency. Fortunately, the Twin Towers had this installed in their stairwells which were darkened and smoke filled on 9/11. CT, MA and NY require this in all medical and educational buildings over 5 stories.  In a year all buildings above 5 stories will require photoluminescence in CT.

  

Deck Framing Connections

Last week we learned about seismic design for ceilings; the 'how to' reduce the risk of the ceiling falling in. This week was the 'how to build a safe deck'. It's all about connections! The dangers are from loose-

• posts
• railings
• attachments to an existing building

In stressing the importance of connections, Louis Daviau from Simpson Strong-Tie Company, also pointed out the reality of the building process. Often a client does not want to spend extra to have the architect or engineer make site visits during construction. That extra cost is to ensure that the builder is following the specifications and may avoid more costly corrections in the future

• Are they using an appropriate connector? Should they choose lag screws, carriage bolts, SDS screws, or bolts?
• Are they using the correct size/length for each connection?
• Are they spacing the connectors correctly?
• Are they using galvanized or stainless steel?

The DCA6 based on the 2009 International Building Code tells it all. This Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide gives all the information needed to meet code and build a safe deck. It has all the tables and schedules needed to know how to choose. No mystery!

Another strong recommendation made, when adding a desk to an existing house, if you can't see the bolts and the bolt pattern build a free standing deck!

Seismic Design for Ceilings

We may not be a high risk area for earthquakes, but they do happen. In the 1980s, an earthquake centered in Albany, NY measuring 3.8 on the Richter Scale was felt by more than 12 states, including Connecticut.

Richard Ferarra, of USG (United States Gypsum Company) shared his knowledge of how to best secure ceiling tile in a quake. The goals are to avoid twisting of the steel and to keep ceilings from falling in. He stressed that, "To achieve this you hold the system together while allowing for movement."

To keep the system together it is important to use seismic clips which are rated for the risk area you are in. These clips provide:

• rigidity
• connection strength
• system tightness

It is important to include specifications in construction documents which provide a system to reduce damages that could be caused in the event of an earthquake. Appropriate systems for each risk area will include such things as weight of grid, appropriate clearances (to allow for movement), clips, wires (NY requires rods in lieu of wire), compression posts (to help with wind), etc.

Designing with Stone

Mark Volage from Consolidated Brick led a Lunch and Learn for 5 architecture firms. The Lunch and Learn was held at Putnam House in Bethel which brought back memories for Architects' Guild. The Lunch and Learn was held on the 2nd floor; one more flight up was the office where Architects' Guild began in 1994. Rich Adamski, an original partner now with SOK in Ridgefield also attended this luncheon.

The first focus of the program was Brick 101. Why choose brick?

Architecture starts

when you carefully put

two bricks together.

There it begins.

—Mies van der Rohe

• Brick is one of the oldest materials used in construction
• Brick is virtually maintenance free (won't rot, dent, need to be painted and is termite free)
• Brick is energy efficient
• Brick allows for creative detailing (bond patterns, arches, color, special shapes,etc.)
• Brick does not require a sealer

When using brick 85% of the cost is for labor and only 15% for the material. It's a better decision to go with the higher grade brick. The price of this brick may be a small percentage higher than other materials but when you factor in it's durability and the low upkeep of using brick it much more economical solution.

The second part of the presentation was on a man made sandstone.

• Arriscraft's stone is a new product simulating real stone. Calcium silicate masonry units (CMSU) are lime and silica based sand, pressed into units, then heated under high pressure, a process much like Mother Nature but a lot faster
• CMSU is virtually maintenance free (won't rot, dent, need to be painted and is termite free)
• CMSU is environmentally friendly and contributes to LEED points
• CMSU allows for creative applications, it is easily cut, shaped, chiselled, honed, etc. and uses mineral oxides to create steadfast colors
• CMSU, like brick, does not require a sealer