$150 million Wintrust Arena Christopher Glass & Aluminum collaborates and applies expertise to unique structure’s glass and aluminum LEED certified environment

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Chicago Construction News feature

Christopher Glass & Aluminum has applied its expertise and experience to the $150 million Wintrust Arena project – future home of the DePaul Blue Demons basketball team. The arena, which will be completed in the early part of 2017, has been designed to meet LEED certification.

The project has been designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects Moody Nolan, Inc. and constructed by Clark Construction. It will include a 10,500 seat arena, 22 suites, club seating, broadcast facilities, and team and support service spaces including sports medicine areas and training facilities to be used by DePaul University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. The facility will also be used for concerts, special events and general sessions for McCormick Place conventions.

Christopher Glass & Aluminum has been charged with fulfilling the architect’s vision which, according to Clark’s website, is a building wrapped in glass and other translucent materials to allow daylight to fill the interior space and provide views of the surrounding community.

DePaul’s website describes the unique structure and intent: “The building’s distinct architecture will complement the surrounding area. The sleek glass facade provides a clear view of the energy and action happening inside the event center, while smooth undulating arcs on the roof rise upward, making the center instantly recognizable in the Chicago skyline.”

Ken Lesauski, Christopher Glass & Aluminum senior estimator and project manager, says the company’s scope of work included providing 50,000 sq. ft. of aluminum curtain wall intended for a four-sided structural application, as well as design, furnishing and installation of a back up steel system to achieve the architect and engineer’s design. “Approaching the main entrance at the southwest corner of the building, visitors will be met by a large glass front with an unobstructed view into the building.”

Unlike other structures, the design uses large structural columns. Due to Christopher Glass & Aluminum’s combination of steel back-up, wind girths, vertical and horizontal supports, they were able to bring the architect’s vision to life to create a uniquely open space. “It’s going to be very impressive,” he says.

Lesauski notes that site logistic caused complications for the exterior installation, which is about 80 percent complete.

“The building’s footprint is smaller on three sides, especially the north side. It required close collaboration with other trades to ensure equipment could get on to the site and allow us to operate when needed.”

He says a good relationship and collaborative effort between his team, Clark and the other trades was crucial to the overall success of the project.

Once the building’s exterior is completed within the next month, the team will move inside to install fire-rated framing, aluminum doors and the interior glass and glazing mirrors. Project videos can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMsydvoWRppmQUkL4WHMp-g/videos.

Christopher Glass and Aluminum is a full service fabricator and installer of curtainwall, storefront and related interior and exterior facade components. “As one of the premier glass and glazing companies in Chicago, we have been devoted to quality fabrication, design, engineering and installation of glass products and framing systems in virtually every architectural application, including new construction, green building solutions, building rehabilitation, storefronts and entrances, tenant interiors, custom specialty work and facilities service.:

The company’s expertise with specialized materials, complex architectural designs, “building geometry that pushes the limits of curtain wall, and innovative engineering solutions is well documented in the growing number of high profile projects throughout the midwest.”

Other specialties include: onsite manufacturing and engineering, glass installation and glazing services, glass curtain walls, interior design, glass doors and mirrors, de-mountable partitions, new construction and project management.

For more information, visit http://www.christopherglasschicago.com.

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