Studio NYL

Summit Restaurant Wine Room Structural Engineers

The BroAdmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Architect: CSNA Architects, Tihany Design

Studio NYL was commissioned to pre-

pare a design for glass wine room ex-
hibiting many unique geometries to be
the central feature of the Summit Res-
taurant which is housed within the
Broadmoor Events Center. The central
cone of the wine room houses a rotat-
ing wine rack to mimic nearby Pikes
Peak.

While investigating various framing

options Studio NYL suggested framing
the room only of glass. As a result, 6”
deep glass fins are used as beams and
columns to support the glass cladding.
The cladding is designed in a manner
to serve as shear walls to resist seis-
mic loads.
 Studio NYL

Summit Restaurant Wine Room Structural Engineers

The BroAdmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Architect: CSNA Architects, Tihany Design
 Studio NYL

Art House Façade Structural Engineers

Denver, Colorado
Architect: Studio Completiva
Client: Harmon, Inc.

Studio NYL designed the glass and back up structure for this contemporary façade
system. The original design concepts utilized extensive back up stainless steel
structure. By revising the design to allow the glass to do most of the work we were
able to reduce the cost by 40% from the original estimates.
 Studio NYL

Merchants Row Façade Structural Engineers

Denver, Colorado
Architect: in situ Design

Studio NYL designed both the façade

and the building structure enabling the
team to create an open and efficient
façade by integrating the structural
systems. The structure utilizes insu-
lated glass and structural silicone so
that the glass elements at the corners
can support each other for wind loads.
This custom façade system utilizes the
inherent strength of the glass to mini-
mize costs. The frosted and clear glass
portions of the façade reflect the ge-
ometry of the adjacent historic row
house windows.
 Studio NYL

Denver Justice Center Courthouse Façade Structural Engineers

Under Construction
Denver, Colorado
Architect: klipp
Client: Trainor Glass and Steelstar

Studio NYL provided the engineering

for this performance based façade.
The façade was conceived as a col-
laboration between klipp and the fa-
çade consultant front, inc. Studio NYL
while working for the contractor helped
develop the scheme into reality under
the projects tight budget.

The system is a unitized aluminum

curtainwall system mounted to a hung
steel fin windgirt system. The overall
façade leans approximately 4 degrees
over the plaza below. The dynamic
effect of the façade is achieved by the
many angular facets that relate both to
the plaza and the landmarks of the
adjacent urban core of Denver. Lou-
vers at the base of the façade promote
natural ventilation in the 80 ft tall
atrium.
 Studio NYL

Scandinavian Designs Retail Façade Structural Engineers

Rocklin, California
Architect: Roth+Sheppard Architects

Studio NYL provided structural glass consulting services for the above façade. In
order to eliminate the need for mullions, glass elements were designed with a fixed
base similar to a glass handrail which significantly reduces the thickness of the glass
required. The design also included the design of shading and signage elements
which are bolted directly to the glass panels. This project received an AIA Denver
and Colorado Honor Awards in 2008.
 Studio NYL

DANIA - Scandinavian Designs Façade Structural Engineers

Algonquinn, Illinois
Architect: Roth+Sheppard Architects

Studio NYL provided structural glass consulting services for the above façade. In
order to eliminate the need for mullions, glass elements were designed with a fixed
base similar to a glass handrail which significantly reduces the thickness of the glass
required. The design also included the design of shading and signage elements
which are bolted directly to the glass panels. This project received an AIA Denver
Honor Award in 2009.
 Studio NYL

Stapleton Bathhouse 3 Structural Engineers

Denver, Colorado

Studio NYL is the structural engineer of

record for structural glazing systems
which include three screen walls and a
structural glass column. The screen
walls use a balustrade base to allow
them to span to the roof level without
vertical mullions. The screen walls also
utilize Sentry Glas Expressions by Du-
Pont to incorporate public art into the
interlayer of the laminate. The screen
walls conceal the locker room entries
and the office. At the office a glass
column is integrated into the system to
support a roof protecting the office.
 Studio NYL

Bonnie Brae Glass Floor Structural Engineers

Denver, Colorado
Architect: Hobbs: A Design Company

This modest residence in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood of Denver uses a glass
floor to extend a lightwell from the upper roof to the main level of the house..
 Studio NYL

Westminster Church of the Nazarene Façade Structural Engineers

On the Boards
Broomfield, Colorado
Architect: RNL Design

Studio NYL is the structural engineer of record for both the primary structure and the
façade system. The façade system is a hybrid of steel and aluminum to maximize
economy for this custom system. The steel structure consists of steel fins hung
from the roof which will support an aluminum punched window system. The depth of
the fin allows for the aluminum and glass to move in and out in the façade to create
depth and contrast. In some areas the steel fins are extended to provide shading of
the window system. At the last pricing exercise the 40 ft tall portions of the curtain
wall were priced at $85/SF.
 Studio NYL
Denver Art Museum Gift Shop
Denver, Colorado Structural Engineers
Architect: Roth+Sheppard Architects

The Denver Art Museum’s renovation of the lobby features multiple glass elements.
The first element is a 30 foot tall signage element that cantilevers off of the angled
exterior wall of the museum. The second elements is a glass wall with glass
shelves cantilevered off of it. The system is propped laterally at the ceiling and fixed
at the base using a CR Laurence handrail base. The final element is a cantilevered
glass display table. All of the elements exhibit the angular geometry that is the sig-
nature of the museums architecture.
 Studio NYL

Marquez Hall Façade Structural Engineers

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado
Architect: Anderson Mason Dale and Bohlin Cywinskie Jackson

The façade consists of structural glass

beams hung fro the roof above. As a
result of the span and the available
sizes that glass may be produced. The
vertical members need to be spliced to
support the full height of the façade.
Traditionally beams and fins of this
nature were spliced with steel friction
plates. This system uses overlapping
panels to form full moment connections
with individual pins. The panels of
glass will be fastened to the beams
using clamp fittings which will be bolted
to the beams. See adjacent renderings
for beam overlap.
 Studio NYL

1725 Blake Street Structural Engineers

Denver, Colorado
Architect: Humphries Poli Architects

As part of a Historic Renovation, struc-

tural glass interventions were added to
the building. At the street lightwells are
covered with a structural glass side-
walk to allow for the removal of the
existing balustrade. The sidewalk has
been designed to resist all loads re-
quired for vaults in the public right of
way including HS-20 truck loads and
fire truck axle loads. The glass uses a
coating to provide a pattern of circular
dots to provide both slip resistance and
some opacity. The pattern of the circles
is designed to be reminiscent of con-
crete vaults with glass lenses seen in
many eastern urban areas to get some
natural light into mechanical vaults.
The project also features a fire egress
stair supported by two 24” wide flange
beams cantlevered from grade from
this all stringers are also cantilevered.
The center exhibits a glazed light box.
 Studio NYL

Placer Residence - On The Boards Structural Engineers

Aspen, Colorado
Architect: Poss Architecture and Planning

Studio NYL is providing the engineering services for both the house and the glass
elements. The primary façade on the house is a 30 ft tall hung façade that utilizes
tapered steel fins. The glass is fastened laterally using structural silicone and verti-
cally using patch fittings. The project also includes cantilevered decks with glass
floors and a glass stair.
 Studio NYL

Glass Stair - Private Residence Structural Engineers

Aspen, Colorado

This single stringer stair includes canti-

levered glass treads and glass balus-
trades. The treads have been designed
using Dupont Sentry Glas Plus inter-
layer. Floor systems are typically de-
signed using Annealed glass to help
resist sharp point loads such as high
heals which can cause tempered glass
to shatter. The us of Sentry Glas Plus
enables the individual lites of glass in
the tread to act compositely for live
loads. Studio NYL provided all concept
design and other layout options typi-
cally part of the architectural scope for
this project.
 Studio NYL
1095 Canyon Canopies
Under Construction Structural Engineers
Boulder, Colorado
Architect: OZ Architecture

Studio NYL provided structural glass design services for the 1095 Canyon canopies.
Sthe structural system uses a ripped “T” section to support the glass panels which
bear on neoprene pads and are fastened using structural silicone. The building fea-
tured multiple canopies of varying geometries.
 Studio NYL

255 Detroit Street Structural Engineers

Denver, Colorado
Architect: Sexton Lawton Architects

This project consists of renovating an aging façade with contemporary structural

glass elements including a glass fins curtainwall and channel glass entry pavilion.
 Studio NYL

Colorado Springs Museum of Fine Arts Façade Structural Engineers

Colorado Springs, Colorado
Architect: David Owen Tryba

The design of the façade for the Fine

Arts Museum Consisted of two struc-
tural glass systems. The first utilized
horizontal structural glass beams which
were to be hung from the roof struc-
ture. The exterior glass panels are fas-
tened using structural silicone. The
rhythm of the façade is design to reflect
the board formed concrete building
adjacent to it. The second glazed sys-
tem utilizes vertical glass fins which are
hung from above. The exterior façade
bears on grade and the lateral wind
and seismic loads are resisted by the
glass fins. Studio NYL designed the
construction documents for this project
which has not been constructed.
 Studio NYL

Apple Retail Store Canopy Prototype Structural Engineers

Multiple Locations, USA
Client: Dewhurst Macfarlane and Partners, Inc.

Chris provided structural glass design of a glass canopy to be used nationwide on

new Apple Retail Stores. For downward loads including snow and wind the canopy
is supported by the building’s exterior wall on one end, and a stainless steel hanger
rod on the glass panel’s corners at the exterior edge. For wind uplift the canopy
acts as a cantilever from the building’s exterior wall. The glass conveys lateral loads
induced by the hanger rod back to the building structure. Design services included
stress analysis of the glass and sizing of the glass and fitting design. The canopies
are designed for a variety of loads for potential sites, including 70 psf snow loads
and hurricane force winds.

Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at Loris.

 Studio NYL

Exempla Northwest Hospital Atrium Structural Engineers

Lafayette, Colorado
Architect: Davis Partnership

Davis Partnership was looking for a

dramatic atrium wall that would not be
similar to typical curtainwall systems,
but could be constructed within a strict
budget. Chris worked closely with the
architects to help them develop the
form they were looking for while main-
taining the budget. The result is a
structural silicone glazed wall. The
back-up members consist of stainless
steel fins onto which the glazing was
adhered using silicone, without bolts or
specialized fittings. The success of the
system resulted in the wall being mim-
icked throughout other public portions
of the building. Other notable features
include glass panels stacked on top of
each other and a 30’ tall glazed open-
ing with no horizontal members.

Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at

Loris.
 Studio NYL

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Structural Engineers

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Architect: Rafael Vińoly Architects

The glazed enclosure features a folded plate vierendeel barrel vault which is closed
at either end with a cable supported glazed wall. The cast weights are hung from the
folded vierendeel arch. The weights serve to prestress the cables. The glass panels
are supported using clamped fittings at the corners eliminating the need for holes in
the glass. The cable wall is the first of its kind in the United States.

Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at DMP.

 Studio NYL

Arts and Industries Building Structural Engineers

The Smithsonian, Washington DC
Architect: Polshek Partnership

The design of the Arts and Industries Building by Polshek Parternship required
structural glass interventions and seismic retrofit of the existing load-bearing ma-
sonry exhibition space. The structural glass elements primarily focus on three com-
ponents throughout the building. The first is a glass elevator shroud and cab. Point
fixed glass panels are fixed to a tubular steel structural frame and the cab floor is
constructed of laminated annealed sheets. The second element is the glass stair,
where glass treads, landings and balustrades were employed. The third element is a
glass bridge, which is suspended from the roof. The bridge was constructed using
spliced glass beams with bearing bolted connections. The project provides for a
juxtaposition of classic and contemporary elements in the exhibit space.

Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at DMP.

 Studio NYL

Rose Center for Earth and Space Structural Engineers

Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
Architect: Polshek Partnership

The Rose Center for Earth and Space

is an educational forum focused to the
study of universe. The glass enclosure
creates a prefunction/exhibit atmos-
phere which allows the visitor to view
the night sky. This is accomplished
using minimal structure. This enclo-
sure was achieved using lightweight
tension trusses with carefully detailed Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at
fittings and connections. M.G. McLaren.
 Studio NYL

Glass Canopy, HQ-5 Tower Structural Engineers

Canary Wharf, London, England
Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox

This all glass canopy incorporates a

cantilevered 3 ply laminated glass
beam supporting a bolt fixed laminated
glass lid. The beam is fastened to the
building using a pair of bolts in bearing.
The point fixings for the top glass lid
fasten only to the middle ply of the
laminated glass beam to give the lid of
the canopy the appearance of floating.

Experience of Chris O’Hara at DMP

 Studio NYL

666 Fifth Avenue Façade Structural Engineers

New York, New York
Client: W&W Glass

The project was part of a design build

façade with the contractor. The glazing
is supported using glass fins cantile-
vered from the floor above. The exte-
rior panels are point fixed to the fins
using Tripyramid spider fittings. As a
result of their excessive length the fins
are spliced using friction fittings. These
storefronts are a part of the famous
shopping area along Fifth Avenue in
New York. Currently the stores they
enclose are Brooks Brothers and the
NBA Flagship Store.

Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at

M.G. McLaren.
 Studio NYL

Times Square Studio Façades Structural Engineers

New York, New York
Client: W&W Glass, Scenic Technologies, Walt Disney Regional Entertainment

As a result of the new television studios

proximity to Times Square, a bomb
proof glazing system was requested.
The result is a 7” thick hermetically
sealed unit with a 3” air cavity to maxi-
mize clarity for televising through the
glass.

The first floor glazing is designed to

permit for easy conversion to an open
air studio. The framework for the lower
glazing are mounted on aircasters so
that the 15’ wide x 12’ tall unit can be
moved by a single person. The joint
sealants are pneumatically actuated to Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at
allow the glazed wall to be removed. M.G. McLaren.
 Studio NYL

Boulder Plaza Flood Glazing Structural Engineers

Boulder, Colorado
Architect: DTJ Design

This 3 building mixed use development

in downtown Boulder is susceptible to
100 year flood waters well over 4 feet
above grade in many locations. The
lower level curtainwall has been de-
signed to resist not only the hydrostatic
pressure but also potential impact re-
sulting from floating debris during a
flood event. The laminated glass has
been designed using DuPont Sentry
Glas Plus to provide additional impact
resistance. The aluminum support
structure has also been designed to
resist all flood loads.

Personal experience of Chris O’Hara at

Loris.
 Studio NYL

Miscellaneous Retail Façades and Structural Engineers

Retail Glazing

Summit Restaurant, The Broadmoor,

Colorado Springs, CO

666 5th Avenue, New York, NY*

Glenarm Canopy, Denver, CO

Apple Retail Canopy, Multiple USA*

Lulu Façade, Colorado Springs, CO

Times Square Studio, New York, NY* * Denotes Personal Experience by Chris O’Hara