DPAC Buell Theater Reclad

DPAC Buell Theater Reclad Denver, Colorado

Architect Studiotrope

Overview The Denver Performing Arts Center(DPAC) Buell Theater reclad is a collaboration with Studiotrope Design Collective to enliven the visual skin of the building while providing for modern performance of the existing curtainwall.

Our Role Studio NYL served as the facade designer.

Approach Studio NYL worked with Studiotrope to develop a budget conscious way of maintaining the transparency of the existing skin while improving the operational carbon footprint of the enclosure. Rather than replace the curtainwall entirely the Studio NYL team suggested saving the existing aluminum mullion structure and thermally improving the mullions and modifying the system to accept the new insulated glass. The challenge with many aging curtainwalls is that they predate more modern thermal break systems that can be found on the market today and aluminum is one of the most conductive construction materials we use. To make matters worse is that anodized aluminum is often not recyclable like many aluminum consumer products. Further new aluminum is a high embodied carbon material. To try and solve multiple problems simultaneously the Studio NYL team suggested retrofitting the existing mullions with a fiber reinforced polymer pultrusion which could be slipped over the existing mullions to achieve the thermal break. The Studio NYL structural team supplemented our skins work with justifying the structural adequacy of the as-built mullion conditions for the additional weight and eccentricity of the new glass as our skins team developed the thermal analysis and transitions of the system. Our team worked closely with Fremarq Innovations who produced the pultrusions. THese pultrusions have the capability of many of the key glazing features of extruded aluminum while being low conductivity. The pultrusions accept typical gaskets, provide screw bosses to accept cover cap and mullion extensions, and integrate thermally broken glass setting chairs. Although Fremarq has used this technology many times on new construction this project represents the first completed retrofit project. Our teams are also collaborating on a similar system at the Ramsey Center which is nearly complete.

Video of Buell Theatre Curtain Wall Replacement - courtesy of MB BIM Solutions: Video