Operable Exterior Walls

Beyond moveable doors, it is possible to consider making entire walls operable. When fully glazed panels are used, this approach offers designers the ability to create flexible spaces that are able to seamlessly bring the outdoors in, provide daylighting and natural ventilation, and capitalize on beautiful views. It also allows indoor spaces to expand to the outdoors when the weather is inviting and the use patterns require it. Operable glass walls are available that, when closed, provide the needed high levels of energy performance, weather tightness, and security in addition to welcome daylight and regulated solar gains. In the open position, they provide natural ventilation and flexibility of spaces by creating seamless flows between indoor and outdoor spaces. Either way, opening glass walls have been shown to stand up to the daily commercial building demands, as well as the challenges of wind, water, extreme temperatures, forced entry, impact, and structural load. Commonly, operable glass walls are full height or match standard door heights, although they can also be used in shorter heights for large continuous window applications as well. They range in overall size from as small as 9 feet wide up to as large as 300 feet wide.

Operable glass walls use door-sized glass panels that can be readily opened or closed on demand, making them part of the building envelope. Like any other type of building fenestration, this system does not carry any structural load from the building, but is reliant on being appropriately attached to the building and operates within a structurally supported opening. In design situations where large operable window or glazed door areas are desirable for both green building and occupant reasons, the performance of these systems is clearly critical. Large opening glass walls with thermally broken frames and low U-factor glazing eliminate the high solar heat gain or heat loss that may come with increased opening size. Because of the large opening sizes, the corresponding large perimeter area, and multiple joints between panel sections, the manufacture and production of these systems requires considerable diligence and attention to detail in order achieve performance levels that are required for green buildings. Hence, it is incumbent on manufacturers to provide independent testing on their products to determine the results for thermal performance, penetration of wind or water, security, and acoustical characteristics. This combination of large-format operable glazing coupled with high-performance construction offers architects a design alternative that is not available through other fenestration options.

EXTERIOR OPERABLE WALL CASE STUDY:
GLORIA’S RESTAURANT

Location: Dallas, Texas

Architect: MSC Design

Photo courtesy of NanaWall Systems

Serving up award-winning cuisine in the Dallas area for over 25 years, Gloria's Restaurant is a name that is synonymous with upscale, authentic Latin food and destination-worthy salsa music. Gloria and her husband, José, both Americans from El Salvador, now own 14 restaurants bearing her name. 


Rapid growth and popularity called for increased seating capacity, both inside and out at her uptown location. Gloria's architect, Matthew S. Crittenden of Dallas-based MSC Design, decided to incorporate a moveable wall system into their design to add adaptability—and a dash of serious fun. His first choice was an operable glass wall: “When we looked around for solutions we couldn't find anything else that was comparable” says Crittenden. “We did a cursory check around, but saw nothing that can do what this system does.”

Engineered for high structural performance, the system was selected to afford flexible indoor/outdoor seating opportunities. The monumental panels with frame heights up to 12 feet and panel widths up to 4 feet offered plenty of daylight to stream into the restaurant's interior, too. The addition of the wall system was a success, according to Crittenden. “We chose the folding wall system for Gloria's uptown Dallas location because it gives our client the flexibility to offer patrons two different dining experiences in one space,” says the architect, who founded his firm in 2005.

“The system gives Gloria's Restaurant the opportunity to transform an elegant interior dining room into a unique, al fresco dining experience in a matter of seconds,” Crittenden continues. “During inclement weather, the system allows customers to stay comfortable in a climate-controlled environment. It truly offers the best of both worlds.”

2. Natural, Durable Surfaces

Hospitality and retail buildings are intended to attract a lot of people to them. With all of those people come demands on the walls, floors, and other surfaces related to foot traffic, activities, cleaning, and ease of maintenance. In institutional or industrial settings, the appearance of these materials is sometimes less important, but in retail and hospitality settings the functional demands and the appearance need to work hand in hand to be successful. The longer these materials last, the more sustainable and green the building can be. We will focus on two specific material options that can be considered, manufactured stone veneer and terrazzo.

Manufactured Stone Veneer

Stone has been a preferred building material for centuries. It not only speaks to environmental awareness, it evokes a sense of connectivity to nature. The problem today with full-depth stone work is that it can be very expensive to incorporate and difficult to find skilled tradesman to install it properly. A much better alternative is to use manufactured stone veneer which is lighter in weight, less expensive than full-depth stone, and much easier to install. Further, the manufacturing of it has progressed to the point where it is very difficult to tell any difference between the look of full-depth stone and the appearance of manufactured stone veneer.

Stone's inherent characteristics of texture and warmth have been used on buildings to help define and highlight the design of both interior and exterior wall surfaces. As such, architects and designers have been able to incorporate products that transform ordinary environments into unique and memorable spaces. There is an abundance of choice and variety available with dozens of stone profiles and over 150 different colors on the market offering a full range of palettes, shapes, and textures. To achieve this range, some manufacturers mold their products from natural stone and then hand paint them with layers of iron oxide dyes to create a unique results such that no two stones are the same. Compared to natural stone, manufactured stone veneer provides the advantages of lower weight, easier installation, less waste, controllable color palettes, and lower price.

MANUFACTURED STONE VENEER CASE STUDY:
BAHLAY RESORT

Location: Acapulco, Mexico

Architect: Edmonds International, Santa Fe, Cuajimalpa, Mexico

Builder & Mason: ALHEL, Grupo Inmobiliario Santa Fe, Cuajimalpa, Mexico

Photo courtesy of Eldorado Stone

With breathtaking views of the Bay de Porto Marquez in Acapulco, Mexico, you will find Bahlay, a stunning new residential, condominium community built on beautiful beachfront property in Pichilingue. The complex features 26 luxury units and four penthouses in a tropical setting where the jungle meets the sea. Four, nine-story towers sparkle in the sun from the combined use of glass and manufactured stone veneer. In a highly sophisticated design plan, the stacked stone profile was selected to create a unique textural contrast from the generous amount of glass used. It was extremely important to ensure every unit had unobstructed views, so the stone brings balance to all the glass on the towers.

The stone was also used to create dramatic accent walls in various spaces throughout the complex, creating a natural backdrop to the sleek architectural lines of the project. “We selected manufactured stone veneer because of its exactness and similarity to natural stone,” says Manual Lara Lopez, of Edmonds International, the project architect for Bahlay. “Ease of installation was important to us because of the way the stone on the towers intersected with the walls that featured unique drop-offs,” he says. Stone is also used around the recreation areas. “Using manufactured stone veneer helped to avoid any installation complications.”

The project began in June 2004 and Bahlay opened its doors in November 2006. Each unit features private terraces, Jacuzzi baths, travertine marble floors, granite countertops, and every luxury one desires in a tropical getaway home. The complex also features a restaurant with outdoor seating, a clubhouse, a gorgeous spa and pool area, tennis courts surrounded by beautiful gardens and a roof-top lobby where one can sit and enjoy the spectacular views. The use of manufactured stone veneer in unique geographical settings like Acapulco is an example of the diversity and growing popularity of manufactured stone internationally.

Photo courtesy of Eldorado Stone

The use of materials such as manufactured stone veneer conveys a strong design message while remaining cost effective and durable.