Being that you read this blog every week oh so religiously, I know that you know how nutty I am about glass—especially structural glass. I find it intriguing so much that a few years ago I wrote an in-depth article for USGlass about the popularity and growth of point-supported and other types of structural glazing. If you missed the article you can read it by clicking here: http://www.usglassmag.com/USGlass/2003/0309/psg.html.
So considering the fact that the most exciting part about the debate was the location, I’m sure it will come as no surprise that I simply had to find out more about that wall.
I found an article in the December 2004 issue California Construction that talked about the expansion of the Reagan Library with the Air Force One Pavilion, which today houses Air Force One No. 27000. The entire construction project was completed in 2005. You can read more about it here: http://www.707sim.com/.
Here’s what the article, written by Greg Aragon, had to say about the glass wall:
“The pavilion’s grandest feature may be a giant 200-feet wide by 80-feet tall glass curtainwall through which the nose of the jet peers … the $2 million wall will give guests a memorable view of Simi Valley and the illusion of flight if they are looking out from the plane.” The article went on to say that the curtainwall is a 11,280-square foot expanse of glass made up of 15 12.5-feet long by 5-feet tall, 625 pound panes.*
Here’s what the article, written by Greg Aragon, had to say about the glass wall:
“The pavilion’s grandest feature may be a giant 200-feet wide by 80-feet tall glass curtainwall through which the nose of the jet peers … the $2 million wall will give guests a memorable view of Simi Valley and the illusion of flight if they are looking out from the plane.” The article went on to say that the curtainwall is a 11,280-square foot expanse of glass made up of 15 12.5-feet long by 5-feet tall, 625 pound panes.*
(*the writer’s word, not mine. We all know it should have been "lites.")
In addition, “60-feet tall vertical-bow trusses with spider hardware and structural silicone at each intersection connect the [lites] to each other.” Glass for the project was provided by Viracon.
Walters & Wolf was the contract glazier on the project, working closely with Mero Structures Inc., the company that did the design, engineering and installation of the wall. Norm Shane, vice president of Walters & Wolf, said the massive size of the wall made it an extremely challenging job, combined with the fact that it was such a historical structure.
“The fact that it was a presidential museum made it a significant job,” said Shane. “It’s a monument to one of our presidents and it’s striking to view.”
In addition, “60-feet tall vertical-bow trusses with spider hardware and structural silicone at each intersection connect the [lites] to each other.” Glass for the project was provided by Viracon.
Walters & Wolf was the contract glazier on the project, working closely with Mero Structures Inc., the company that did the design, engineering and installation of the wall. Norm Shane, vice president of Walters & Wolf, said the massive size of the wall made it an extremely challenging job, combined with the fact that it was such a historical structure.
“The fact that it was a presidential museum made it a significant job,” said Shane. “It’s a monument to one of our presidents and it’s striking to view.”
Striking indeed. Check out 
these pictures that Norm from Walters & Wolf sent me:
these pictures that Norm from Walters & Wolf sent me:
If you want, take a minute and tell us about a significant project for your company, and why it was so meaningful.
1 comment:
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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