155 North Wacker

2021
Written By HED

Photo courtesy of architect HED

WHO
Architects: HED
Installer: Christopher Glass & Aluminum
WHERE & WHEN
Chicago, IL
Americas
Completed · 2021
WHAT & HOW
Office · Renovation
Replacement of 2 lobby netwalls
New 50' VS1-G facades, full-height glass fins

VS1-G, which uses a glass mullion in lieu of an extruded aluminum blade, was selected for the renovation of two down town Chicago lobby facades. Unique to VS1-G+ is the ability to achieve all glass walls with un-spliced, full height glass fins spanning in this case 50' clear, a record for Chicago and the US. The glass fin is 32” deep, quadruple laminated, 2” thick and is comprised of low iron, tempered glass with SG interlayers. The fins even at that depth literally “disappear” visually when viewing the wall from the exterior.

This project also required the removal of existing one-way tensioned cable glass walls. iG provided the structural analysis, jacking assemblies, custom brackets and method statement to detention the cables and safely remove them readying for the installation of the new ultra transparent walls. At all levels this project embodies the technical depth of the Innovation Glass LLC team to rise to the innovative occasion to create excellent architecture.

Architect Image

FROM ARCHITECT HED

❝ The building owner decided to replace the existing netwall with a more resilient glass wall system that is equally minimal and transparent. The new design features an all-glass wall system to enclose the monumental openings, approximately 50’x50’. The ultra-clear oversized glass panels are supported by single-piece, full-height glass fins. Connection hardware is only visible on the interior, where the panels connect to the glass fins; the exterior remains a pristine plane of glass that is only articulated by the minimal entrance portals. The entrances are clad in polished metal that reflects the surrounding arcade and lobby, thus reinforcing the minimal design of the glass wall. At the time of construction, the newly installed glass fins were the tallest single-piece glass fins in North America. ❞
HED
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