Foundation in Midwest, Southeast Michigan

Foundation in Midwest, Southeast Michigan, is a technologically advanced administrative building that meets the highest safety and comfort standards thanks to its specialised façade construction, while also being aesthetically appealing.

The two-storey building reaches a height of 9 metres. Diverse and technically demanding architectural requirements included steel-glass façades with welded rectangular tubes that are engineered to be bulletproof, and an invisible glass fastening using a toggle system and silicone glass joints. The façade is complemented by vertical aluminium sun protective flashing and terracotta curtain walls and skylights.

Brand: Gartner

Design architect: James Carpenter Design Associates with Studio Unseen Light, New York

Architect of record: Rossetti Architects, Detroit, Michigan

Client and main contractor: Sachse Construction, Detroit, Michigan

The project

The concept

The project’s planning and development posed a variety of challenges, including the design of steel profiles and connection details with the relevant bullet resistance, which required special testing.

A striking feature is the s-curved aluminium sun flashing panels on the outside of the steel and glass façade. These perforated panels, which are attached to a cantilevered substructure about 1m in front of the glass façade, prevent direct sunlight from entering the building while still allowing natural light to enter and reducing peak cooling loads on the mechanical systems.

Two skylights with a jagged design direct natural light deep into the office areas on levels 1 and 2. As additional sun protection, these glass panes are fitted with a spotted ceramic frit and an aluminium grid plate on the outside.

What did we do?

We provided a total façade area of approximately 1,750 sqm. The building envelope is divided into different areas: around 900 sqm of steel and glass façades form the main part of the glazing; 130 sqm of skylights provide daylight from above; and 720 sqm of terracotta curtain walls clad the opaque areas.

All façade sections were pre-assembled in our factory. The terracotta panels were manufactured in Portugal and all components were shipped via Germany to site.