Making a Case for TGP

Featured Project

Open Design Reflects the Purpose of the William R. Murchie Science Building

Adding 70,000 square feet to the William R. Murchie Science Building, the designers focused on creating a facility with almost no visual barriers. The building’s open stairwell, a major component of the concept, was meant to facilitate idea-sharing and to display scientific innovations taking place on campus. However, to meet fire- and life-safety code requirements, the building needed a fire-rated barrier between floors. To satisfy these requirements and provide the desired level of visual connection, the school and architects turned to a floor-to-ceiling, butt-glazed fire-rated assembly and full-lite fire-rated doors. Together, these systems preserved the design’s intent and safeguarded students and faculty from fire.