Van Ness

Working with Elkus Manfredi Architects, SGH assisted with the building enclosure design. We reviewed design concepts and provided recommendations to improve system performance. Highlights of our work include:

• Recommending below-grade waterproofing system that would provide the necessary reliability for a blindside application and included safeguards during the sheet pile disassembly
• Helping select the buried plaza waterproofing system, detailing transitions into the rising towers, and accounting for drainage under plantings and hardscapes
• Consulting on metal and glass curtain walls, punched windows, terra-cotta, and metal wall panels, and prefabricated unitized wall panels
• Designing transition details for the enclosure systems, including special detailing for chemical compatibility of transitions
• Providing construction phase services, including:
  • Reviewing product submittals and shop drawings for all enclosure systems
  • Coordinating building enclosure preconstruction meetings with the project team
  • Conducting field adhesion testing on air barrier systems, and water/air infiltration testing of the curtain walls and punched windows
  • Designing and observing electric field vector mapping of the plaza
  • Visiting the site to observe in-progress construction to compare with the design intent and approved shop drawings