165 DESPLAINES

Location:
Chicago, IL
System:
LITEFLAM
Sector:
Residential
DESIGN GROUP:
GREC Architects | Donald Cooper
owner:
Green Cities III LP
Contractor:
Year:
2018
Download Case study
Walkable fire-rated skylight/floor by Greenlite Glass at 165 DESPLAINES, Chicago, IL.

About

165 DESPLAINES

The architect’s goal was to design a residential tower in a heavily urban neighborhood in Chicago themed on bringing unexpected daylight into the building. The 15-story, 199-unit apartment building is in a dense area of Chicago with very little green space, guiding the architect’s desire for incorporating daylight as a design priority.

On the first floor of the two-story lobby is a large picture window overlooking a pocket park and the historic Haymarket monument located on-site. On the second floor, there is a smaller, more intimate space with a view of the park and lobby below.

To connect the stairs to the loft library and the building offices, instead of using concrete, carpet, and other materials that would darken the space, translucent glass was used. The glass catwalk brings daylight into the area while still being highly usable and functional. The fire-rated glass walkway, LITEFLAM XT60, allows light transition through the glass from the above skylight and surrounding windows. LED light strips were added beneath the glass to create a glowing impression, and the glass catwalk adds light to the concierge desk located directly below.

PROJECT CHALLENGES

Overcoming Regulatory and Structural Hurdles for Fire-Rated Glass Flooring in Chicago

  • The city of Chicago did not recognize fire rated glass as a flooring system.
  • Demonstrate compliance of life safety requirements.
  • Demonstrate compliance of Live loading of 100psf while maintaining fire separation.
  • Engineered suspended glass walkway.
Walkable fire-rated skylight/floor by Greenlite Glass at 165 DESPLAINES, Chicago, IL.
Walkable fire-rated skylight/floor by Greenlite Glass at 165 DESPLAINES, Chicago, IL.
Project SOLUTION

Implementing LITEFLAM XT60 for Safe and Compliant Suspended Glass Walkways

  • LITEFLAM XT60 system for the suspended glass walkways and platforms
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS

Achieving Regulatory Recognition and Innovation Excellence with Fire-Rated Glass Flooring

  • Greenlite Glass Systems worked with the City of Chicago to have fire-rated glass recognized as a flooring system
  • Meeting building code and life safety requirements
  • 2018 PIA Innovation Award Winner from Architectural Products Magazine
Walkable fire-rated skylight/floor by Greenlite Glass at 165 DESPLAINES, Chicago, IL.
STAKEHOLDERS

partners that made the project possible

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