OLMSTED’S EARLY LIFE

Olmsted was born in 1822 in Hartford, Connecticut. Whether being due to temporarily blindness at age 14, or because of his adventurous and eclectic nature, Olmsted left the formal education path at the age of 15 and became a self-taught career man. His young career journey was since filled with many different roles. He spent time at sea sailing to China as an apprentice, then worked on his father’s farm in Staten Island. Olmsted also had an early career in journalism, traveling throughout the American south publishing several newspaper reports. His travel bug and curiosity of the world can be largely attributed to his father, John Olmsted. Frederick’s father took his family to see many scenic landscapes, from Niagara Falls to Quebec and most of New England. Olmsted’s appreciation for landscapes reached new heights in 1850 when visiting Birkenhead Park in Liverpool, England. He was amazed not only by its design and details, but also that it was shared by all classes; Parks were usually reserved privately for wealthy class people on private estates or behind reserved gates. Margarete R. Harvey explains, “Here, Olmsted began to envision the possibility of shaping and tending the earth not only for its agricultural benefits and scenic potential, but also for the betterment of society”. This trip set Olmsted back to America on a new mission and a feeling of purpose.

“WHEN PARKS WERE RADICAL”

Before Olmsted’s parks, the only public spaces people could go throughout America were graveyards. Having to play and find recreation within a cemetery expressed to Olmsted the profound need for public parks in cities. His determination for a better living environment led to his very first, and arguably most well-known, project: New York City’s Central Park. New York State Legislature approved of the Central Park project in 1853 and Olmsted, architect Calvert Vaux, and the Commissioners got to work. Central Park allowed Olmsted to tap into his topography, mapping, and agriculture skills while developing his scenic architectural eye. He learned a lot working alongside Vaux from his expertise about the fundamentals of design. At just the age of 36, Olmsted launched the largest public works program of their time. The design stretched out for 847 acres in the heart of New York City with an eye for natural and formalized symmetry. The bridges are intricately placed with architectural beauty and complimented the natural design of the park. Central park’s design allows for recreation for all pedestrians with enough space, walkways, shading and sites for everyone.

In 1865, he continued on to design Prospect Park with his partner Vaux in Brooklyn, New York, which was also a great success. This smaller park setting had a large reservoir in its center and was completed with its natural forests and rustic elements. Olmsted also made his mark with the country’s oldest system of parks and parkways in Buffalo, New York. The size of the project was the same as Central Park at 850 acres, but his design approach was entirely unique to his previous success. The Buffalo parks and parkways make up 24 pieces of greenery throughout, becoming the first interconnected urban park system in the United States.

Olmsted also contributed to the design of Vanderbilt’s property, the Biltmore Estate in 1888. The estate is 8,000 acres and full of formal and informal gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. There, he creates a personalized horticultural experience unlike any other, with over 4,000 plants and species planted throughout. Today, over a million people visit the Estate each year admiring the beautiful design by the creator of American Architectural Landscape. One of Olmsted’s principles with design is to create art that fits the landscape and doesn’t change its integrity and bones. His values also led him to preserving many areas for their natural beauty, like Niagara Falls on the Canadian border and Yosemite in California. He had the talent to recognize which places needed shaping and direction and which needed to be preserved and stand by themselves: to be left alone in their American landscape beauty.

OLMSTED’S LEGACY

Niagara Falls was an attraction that brought many tourists. In the mid 1800s, the attraction became overrun by ill-intentioned businessmen that did not take proper care of the landscape and often took advantage of the visitors. Olmsted was one of the people that fought for state officials and local governments to act and help better its Niagara Falls. The Falls were cleaned up thanks to him speaking up against the actions he saw. This situation showed Olmsted the potential disaster in overdevelopment and the importance of government protection in parks and landscapes. His influence stretched past landscapes and parks as well, with his movements to help improve sanitary living conditions within cities and his recognition of the impact of mental health. He served as General Secretary of the United States Sanitary Commission for 2 years. He dedicated his time to improving the sanitary conditions of army camps and soldiers. Then, when living in New York City, Olmsted saw the effect of the poor sanitary tenements in Lower Manhattan and its cause of the Great Fire of 1845. The debates caused the first tenement law to pass in the country, which controlled and regulated unhealthy housing conditions through better drainage of waste and outdoor latrines. Echoing his call to better living conditions, Olmsted argued that public parks will be the lungs of the urban age: helping clean the air and the hearts of the community within it.

Olmsted’s passion for his work was undeniable, as he worked constantly and slept very little throughout his career. His drive to push as much talent out of himself as possible showed how much he felt had to give to communities. Olmsted knew the gift possessed and was sure to express his passion as much as he could before his death. The acclaimed landscape architect passed on August of 1903 at the age of 81. He left behind four children and a permanent imprint on the country and world. “Today there are 417 park sites across the US covering over 84 million acres” (CBS). Olmsted opened society’s eyes to the beauty and necessity to harmonize urban life with parks and landscape. Olmsted believed a park should complement the city which it lives, while still remaining faithful to the natural terrain it belongs to.

With Olmsted’s 200th birthday coming this 2022, we ask you to go outside and appreciate nature. Spend time in your local parks and take note of its design: its pathways, the curves of the hills and placements of bridges and ponds. Visit one of Olmsted’s hundreds of landscapes throughout the country and experience the legacy he left for all its people. His designs go beyond parks and national sites, with private estates, suburbs, and college campuses as well. Olmsted lived a life that brought permanent beauty and influence throughout America from the 19th century on to modern-day, and for that we are forever grateful.

Author: Devin Gavigan

Featuring an earth tone palette of greys, terracotta pinks and warm mid-century browns, the outdoor space is decked out with a large fireplace, ample seating areas with beautiful Moroccan-style elements, chic pendant and string lights, and a custom-built trellis.

The custom trellis was created utilizing Knotwood Aluminum slats and posts in White Ash, and incorporated Equinox columns and trellis beams. John Rocco Sales Next Generation sourced the fabrication of the grids locally and they were shipped ready to be installed. We are thrilled about how beautiful this project turned out.

Design: Virserius Studio
Engineer: PVE, LLC - PA
General Contractor: Balfour Beatty

Slats and Posts: Knotwood
Columns and Trellis Beams: Equinox

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The primary goal of a security design approach is to minimize possible threats to the building occupants. A primary goal of a streetscape design approach is to reinforce or establish urban design and architectural character. By strategically combining both approaches, building perimeter security can be incorporated into a beautifully designed streetscape.

Attractive elements and landscape features can function as both amenities and as of components of physical building perimeter security. Utilizing elements typically found along a streetscape, such as benches, lampposts, bike racks, planters, hedges, and even trees, can foster a sense of openness and make security appear seamless.

Physical Protective Barriers

Physical protective barriers can help restrict, channel, or impede access around a site. A protective barrier can also create a strong psychological deterrent to anyone planning an unauthorized entry. A variety of site features and landscape architectural amenities can be used to provide levels of security. Changes in topography, integration of water features, trees & vegetation are natural barriers that can make areas difficult to transverse.

Manmade barriers typically found along a streetscape, such as benches, lampposts and trash receptacles. can also enhance perimeter security. Hardening these elements can be done by incorporating vehicle anti-ram barriers, such as reinforced bollards, into the design. With the large array of streetscape solutions available today, designers have a broad selection of tools at their disposal that can reflect the existing aesthetics of the location.

Tree Guards

In additional to the health and urban cooling benefits that trees provide, trees can be used as obstacles to block access of an approaching vehicle. Protecting younger trees and root areas from pedestrian traffic can be accomplished by incorporating attractive tree guards into the streetscape design. Tree guards also act as a deflective element, offering an additional barrier friction resistance.

Bollards

Curbside bollards can provide security against vehicular attacks. Bollards can be set along the curb, or lined along the property line, or in creative layouts in conjunction with other site elements. Available in a wide range of finishes and styles, bollards can be a cohesive element of streetscape design. Bollards can be mounted over pipe or filled with concrete for added security. Through careful design and placement, bollards can help guide pedestrian circulation, while meeting accessibility requirements and enhancing the strength and character of the streetscape.

John Rocco Sales proudly represents IRONSMITH for your bollard and tree guard product solution needs. See details >

Perimeter Fencing

One of the most common elements used to protect an area perimeter is fencing. Fencing provides a strong psychological deterrent while delaying unauthorized entry. In high security situations, anti-climb and anti-cut fence systems that allow for clear lines of vision are preferred.

Depending on the level of security required, a top guard can be added to perimeter fences and interior enclosures. Fencing can also be augmented with motion sensors and CCTV cameras making the barrier more effective and intruders easier to detect.

A building’s utilities area is an additional area that can be a targeted source of vulnerability. When protecting an above ground utility infrastructure, a louver style of fence that offers visual concealment is highly recommended.

For your perimeter security fence needs, John Rocco Sales represents Omega II Fence Systems. See details >

Window and Glass Protection

As the world is increasingly less safe to work and live, making buildings more secure is becoming a required necessity. This can be a challenge for protecting busy downtown buildings and storefronts which are often limited in available perimeter space for additional streetscape barriers. In terms of security, glass windows and storefront doors are a building’s weakest link. This is particularly true for existing buildings with tempered glass storefronts. When these older glazing systems were installed, they were not exposed to the threat levels we have today. These types of buildings are extremely vulnerable to forced entry and ballistic attacks.

Depending on the physical security needs and threat mitigation requirements, retrofit security glazing systems offer a wide range of protection that will not fracture or break under attack. Providing 24/7 invisible glass protection, retrofit security systems outperform laminated glass and traditional security window films. In addition to improving the energy efficiency of existing glass by over 50%, retrofit security glazing systems also provide other interior environment benefits, such as thermal comfort and acoustic performance.

For additional information about security glazing protection and glazing system solutions, please see our DefenseLite and Bulletshield product overview page.
See details >

Contributing Manufacturer: Omega II Fence Systems
Material: Omega MAX

The development of smaller, community-based short-term family housing programs is a key strategy of Homeward DC to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. As a result of the Homeward DC plan, the District has reduced overall homelessness by more than 17 percent in two years & has reduced family homelessness by 40 percent over the same time.

The Horizon is designed to meet USGBC LEED Gold & includes onsite stormwater quality control limiting offsite runoff, a green roof, energy efficient windows, and a high-efficiency HVAC system. This 34,700 SF facility provides short-term support to 35 families.

Omega II Fence Systems supplied the Omega MAX fencing & access gates for exterior perimeter of this project. The Omega MAX provides a high security fencing solution that offers full visibility, anti-climb & anti-cut. Ideal for pool areas, outdoor playgrounds and recreational spaces.

Contributing Manufacturer: Jonite®

Material: Jonite® Stone (Reinforced) Grates - 24” Custom Heel-Guard Ventilation Grates 
Pattern/Color: Palm Design in Ash Grey

Senate side: 460 pcs 24” Custom Heel Guard Grate (Square Footage = 1,840 ft²)
House Side: 353 pcs 24” Custom Heel Guard Grate (Square Footage = 1412 ft²)

After the discovery of potentially life-threatening structural damage to the Senate parking garage, renovations began on the 40-year-old Florida State Capitol Complex plaza. The unique design of the original parking garage included planters built into the garage rooftops. As the trees planted into the planters matured, the root systems grew, compromising the waterproofing system and structural integrity of the parking garage. The main support girder that held up the garage was also cracking under the massive weight from the soil and landscaping above.

The project began in 2016 with the removal of 7300 tons of topsoil and over 150 trees. Great effort was made to preserve as many existing trees as possible during construction. New drainage systems were installed to cope with excess water from storms and to protect against flooding & leakage. Jonite® supplied the reinforced stone drain grates that are used throughout the renovated plaza. Jonite’s Palm design provides a beautiful focal point with the intricate leaf-inspired design pattern and granite texture in the color of Ash Grey. With low heat absorption and dielectric properties equivalent to porcelain, Jonite makes for an excellent electrical insulator - a significant plus point in times of tropical thunderstorms.

A fortunate benefit of the structural repair for visitors to the Florida Capitol is improved open plaza areas, providing additional gathering spaces, improved pedestrian traffic flow, new lighting and landscaping. The Senate side work is now complete. Work on the House side, which will also include Jonite grating, is scheduled to be completed towards the end of 2020.

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From an ecological standpoint, heating and cooling homes accounts for almost 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, with the average home emitting an incredible 6,400 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere just to keep the home warm. Though technological advancements have increased the energy efficiency of newer homes, the larger size of homes essentially wipes out those gains in efficiency, as large suburban homes take enormous amounts of energy to power.

From an economic standpoint, the average mortgage debt for the American family is just above $200,000 dollars, and is rising each year.

The Move towards Tiny Homes

The combination of a rising ecological awareness among the population and increasing economic uncertainty has led to the surge in popularity of tiny homes. While there is no set definition for what exactly constitutes a tiny home, many people consider a home that is under 500 square feet to be a good example of a tiny home. “Small” homes, in comparison, are those under 800 square feet.

Tiny homes (and small homes) incorporate the best energy efficiency practices of modern, upscale construction while strictly limiting the overall square footage of the home. Because of their smaller size, over 2/3 of all tiny home owners are able to purchase their home outright without any sort of financing. Furthermore, because tiny homes require much less energy to heat, cool, and power, several tiny homes are either completely off-grid or produce much of their own energy from household renewable energy systems. For tiny homes that are connected to the grid, many of these homes are either carbon zero or carbon positive, meaning that they produce as much or more energy than what they use on a monthly or yearly basis.

Furthermore, since much of the ecological cost of building a home is tied up in the embodied energy of the materials used to build the home, tiny homes also can radically cut back on the amount of raw materials that go into home construction. For example, a “regular-sized” home takes at least seven full logging trucks to provide lumber for a stick-frame home while the typical tiny home only uses ½ of one logging truck. Moreover, tiny homes tend to prioritize a wide range of building materials that are lightweight and eco-friendly in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the home while maximizing energy efficiency.

Material Considerations

Design is the most important of considerations when building a tiny home. While the 3,000 square foot mansion can incorporate a 500 square foot walk-in closet and an extra bathroom that no one ever uses, tiny homes focus on multi-use areas, multi-functional furniture options, and versatile spaces that capitalize on the limited amount of space. Instead of building an extra closet, tiny home design would focus on adding closet space on the stairs leading up to the lofted bedroom. As a replacement for the home office, a folding office desk can be lowered from a fixture on the wall to use in the living room when no one else is home or when guests aren’t expected.

When it comes to choosing the materials to incorporate in your design, tiny homes focus on materials with a low embodied energy rating that maximize energy efficiency. Knotwood Aluminum cladding with a vast array of color options is both lightweight and durable while also helping to maximize the energy efficiency of your home.

Because of limited interior space, most tiny homes also incorporate outside living areas as well. Using lightweight decking materials to add a walkout porch can extend your kitchen or living room outside and offer a great dining or living room area to enjoy during the warmer parts of the year.

As housing prices continue to rise while the threat of global warming becomes ever more solemn, finding ways to downsize into a tiny home is a great way to save you money, live closer to the natural world, and reduce the carbon footprint associated with your home.

Located at 606 West 57th Street, this nearly completed 1.2 million-square-foot building is one of the largest apartment buildings in New York City. The massive development consists of several building block segments, vertically stacked and interconnected. The 42-story tall tower on the east and a 17-story tall tower on the west make up the space dedicated to 1,028 residential units.

To provide resident access between the two towers at every floor, a seven-foot wide, 14-inch thick concrete slab pedestrian corridor bridge was installed at each tower. Two towers make up the eastern tower, and the corridor bridges are fixed to one tower but rest on sliding bearing pads on the other tower. This allows the two eastern towers to sway independently of one another from the 3rd floor to the 28th floor.

Voss Engineering was challenged by this job to provide slide bearings for the pedestrian interconnects on the project.  Initially the engineer of record was looking to use an elastomeric steel reinforced shim pad to provide for the longitudinal movement and vertical load transfer.  In order to accommodate the required longitudinal movement the elastomeric steel reinforced shim pad would have been extremely tall.  In a project such as this, it is critical to keep the floor to floor height as vertically compact as possible.

As a SORBTEX® Expansion Bearing de-couples the requirements of vertical load transfer and longitudinal movement, Voss Engineering was able to offer a bearing assembly that met the performance requirements in a package that resulted in a significantly lower height requirement for the bearing.  There were two different elements in the pedestrian interconnects - on the east bridge, one side was pinned and the other was a slide bearing.  On the west pedestrian bridge, both sides were supported with Voss' Slide bearing assemblies. 

Additional Reading:
606 West 57th Street, New York: Design of Structurally-linked Multiple Tower Structures via STRUCTURE Magazine

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds, called VOCs for short, are chemical contaminants that can damage air quality, human health, productivity, and the environment. VOCs are a known precursor to smog. A major source of harmful man-made VOCs are paints and protective coatings. The EPA reports that approximately 40-65% of a traditional liquid paint or coating is VOC.

VOCs have concentration levels highest indoors. Prior to occupancy, new construction is increasingly being tested to verify that materials used for construction are “low-emitting”. Various organizations have established guidelines or recommendations in new building construction to reduce VOC levels.

Studies have shown measurable increases in work performance within buildings with low sources of VOC. One recent laboratory study reported an average 60% increase in scores in decision making performance when VOC sources were reduced to simulate a green office buildings relative to sources of VOCs typical of conventional office buildings. Another study conducted by Harvard University showed similar results in green building conditions, with cognitive function scores 101 percent higher in enhanced green building conditions.

Powder Coating - A “GREEN” Technology

Powder coating is considered a “green” technology because it doesn’t generate harmful solvents or airborne pollutants. Unlike traditional liquid paint, the powder coating process does not require a liquid solvent. Dry paint powder particles are electrostatically charged during application and heat cured to form a hard finish. Because powder coating relies on the electrostatic charge to hold the paint particles to the work piece, no solvents are needed - eliminating harmful VOC emission effects.

In addition to having no risk of hazardous VOCs, powder coating has many additional benefits compared to other liquid paints, including:

Durability: Highly resistant to fading, chipping and scratching. Thicker than conventional liquid coatings.

Vast array of finishing colors & textures: Glossy, matte, metallic, glitter…power coating finishes provide a wide range of effects that are not easily replicated with other coating processes.    

Quick Curing Time: Cured within 30 minutes - paint can take days to dry.

Recyclability: The overspray during the powder coating process can be retrieved and the excess powder can be reused.

Easy Disposal: Does not result in dangerous waste or costly disposal methods.

LEED credits: Usage of powder coating can be applied towards earning LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits from the United States Green Building Council.

Profoundly Artistic

Since powder coating first entered the US market over 60 years ago, advancements in powder coatings have come a long way. Powder coatings today offer a myriad of colors, textures, and gloss levels. Parasoleil, a manufacturer of beautiful laser-cut perforated architectural metal panels for both interior and exterior use, has developed unique powder coating finishes that mimic the look of worn metals.

As world-wide demand for eco-friendly solutions grows, the powder coating market will continue to excel. And with great reason - reducing VOCs in our environment is important to our health, as well as the health of our planet.

Contributing Manufacturer: Omega II Fence Systems
Materials: Omega II Fence Evolution panels, custom cut to size with custom attachments

The Crossings Park in the city of Lethbridge was designed to not only meet the programming and educational needs of two schools, but to serve the future community as an attractive park and as storage for storm water. The 51.8 acre park represents the second largest park built in Lethbridge.

As an innovative concept for adding color and illumination, as well as additional seating, gabion benches & walls were built onsite. During the evening, light shines up from below, illuminating the light blue glass. The electrical elements are concealed within custom cement blocks on the sides. To provide additional outdoor seating, the gabion benches are topped with treated wood.

Omega II Fence Systems provided the Evolution double wire panels, custom cut to size with customized attachments. Easy to install, the sturdy, see-through panels of the Evolution were the ideal, cost-effective solution for this project.

OMEGA II FENCE SYSTEMS

Omega II Fence Systems offers outstanding fence systems at a competitive price for industrial, commercial, residential and custom designs. The company’s goal is to successfully integrate beauty, security and strength to produce the ideal fence for all projects, deterring even the most motivated trespasser and allowing your concept to shine through.

Installer(s): Phase I - Silverlands Construction. Phase II - Down to Earth Landscaping.

Engineering Firm: Consulting and Municipal Engineers Associates (CME)

Contributing Manufacturer: Omega II Fence Systems

Materials: Omega SECUR Double Wire

The Richard J. Coffee Mercer County Park, commonly referred to as simply Mercer County Park, is considered by many to be one of the best parks in central New Jersey.

Mercer County Park encompasses over 2,500 acres and offers a large collection of recreational amenities. Since 1987, Mercer Lake, located within the park, has been used for rowing team training & selection trials to represent the United States at the Olympics and World Championships.

In April 2016, the National Softball Association honored the Mercer County Park Commission with its "Outstanding Parks Award" for the softball fields and facilities in Mercer County Park. Additionally, Mercer County Park is host to the annual Trentonian Softball Tournament, which has been billed as the 2nd largest softball tournament in the world.

The two baseball fields located in the center of the park host a number of leagues and tournaments throughout the season. CME Engineering contacted John Rocco Sales after seeing a similar project completed in Canada for Kings Christian College. Recent renovations to the Mercer County Park baseball fields include a new backstop & dugout, sports lighting & new fencing.

Providing optimal field of vision, Omega SECUR non-obstructive see-through panels were used throughout the project. Ascetically pleasing with an urban modern look, the welded wire SECUR provides additional security while protecting fans from stray balls.

Due to the success of this project, Mercer County Park is currently installing Omega Fence products for the back stop & dug out fencing on their third baseball field (phase II). They love the look of Omega SECUR.

King of Prussia Town Center at the Village at Valley Forge is the retail component of a new mixed use development in Upper Merion Township, PA. With an investment of over $100 million, King of Prussia Town Center boasts over 250,000 SF of retail shops and restaurants, including REI, LA Fitness, Nordstrom Rack, Fogo de Chao, Old Town Pour House and many others. Currently it is 80% leased. Once it is fully leased, up to 40 businesses will occupy the center, including a total of 11 restaurants.

At the center of this 20 acre project is the “town square” on Main Street. The large central plaza offers active fountains and fire wall installations, a performing arts pavilion hosting outdoor music and movies, and a generous lawn for outdoor gatherings that will be converted to an ice rink during winter months.

“This is the wave of the future. We’re creating an experience that the customer wants to come back to, an experience online shopping can’t replace.” said Tom Sebastian, VP of development and project manager for the site’s developer, JBGR Retail in an interview featured on SAVVY/Main Line website.

The modern architectural structures and buildings designed by architect Brown Craig Turner (BCT) surround the center’s square. Each of the 17 buildings has its own unique architecture incorporating vaulted ceilings, glass, wood & stone.

“The King of Prussia Town Center really responds to today’s consumer’s desire to have that all-encompassing experience and get more of that downtown feel of discovering different restaurants and shops outdoors, and being outside and socializing in an integrated kind of experience,” noted the project’s publicist, Allie Seifert, in a recent article featured in The Times Herald.

Photo Credits:
Cover photo via Montgomery County Planning Commission on Flickr
 

Last month, during the pre-season home game of the NFL Denver Broncos, the Mile High Monument made its debut. Located on the exact spot where the original Mile High Stadium once stood, this permanent 3,000-square foot structure is approximately 1/8 the size of the original stadium.

Built to honor the history of the place the Broncos’ called home from 1960-2000, the monument offers fans a look back at the history and greatest moments of the Mile High Stadium. A miniature Bucky, replica South Stands Bleachers and 165 of the original seats are just a few of the familiar sights of the old stadium. Greatest moments in Broncos’ history will be showcased for visitors on a giant video screen.

The six foot high, white double wire fencing & gates used in the Mile High Monument were provided by Omega II Fence Systems. Designed for areas with heavy public usage and to satisfy a greater need for protection, the rigid and contemporary ELITE fence system was the perfect match. Detailed engineering, tight timelines for manufacturing & significant teamwork were requirements successfully met by Omega II throughout the scope of the project.

“It’s been a dream of management … for several years to pay homage to what everyone loved,” said general manager Jay Roberts, in a recent Denver Post article. The idea is for Broncos fans “to sit in the old stadium and memories will come flooding back,” he said.

The monument is free and open to the public, and will be open for tours on non-game days.

Installer: Hercules Fence

Contributing Manufacturer: Omega II Fence Systems

Materials: Omega Architectural™ Double Gates

The James Madison University Dukes are having some of the best football attendance in the program history this year. That’s quite a lot of fans walking through our gates!

In 2011, a major $62 million renovation was completed that increased seating capacity to about 25,000. In addition to increased seating, the state of the art expansion included the addition of hospitality suites, a club lounge, a new press box and improved views.

Omega II Fence Systems provided the gates for stadium entrances C & D. The modern design and strength of Omega Architectural™ also made it the ideal choice for added security surrounding the athletic equipment storage area.

The renovation made Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field one of the best facilities to accompany what is already one of the best gameday atmospheres in the FCS.

Go Dukes!
 

1) Aesthetics

Perforated metal offers a unique, modern rhythmic aesthetic to compliment any building. With virtually endless options in hole shapes, sizes, geometric patterns & finishes available, perforated metal makes it a perfect material to achieve a specific look. In addition to adding visual interest to the building’s exterior, perforated metal allows occupants to enjoy exterior views while maintaining a certain degree of privacy. Allowing for a comfortable level of natural lighting during the day, perforated metal reduces the amount of artificial light needed, while at the same time deflects heat.

2) Versatility

Materials which are perforated metal are versatile. Easily bent & configured to your design, it can be used as a lightweight decorative element or as a structural component in buildings. The structural benefits of perforated metal give architects & designers a multitude of options to explore. Examples of creative uses of perforated metals include sunscreens that filter & control light; railing infills that add structure while reducing mass; column covers that enhance aesthetics & deliver many design options...and many more.

3) Durability

Perforated metal has a structural strength many other materials do not have. They can withstand harsh weather environments, with the ability to control or equalize pressure due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. The perforations also decrease the weight needed to be supported by the building’s framework.

4) Energy Efficient

By balancing light & ventilation, perforated metal can allow architects to manage interior heat build-up from the sun. By deflecting heat, less energy output is required from HVAC systems, providing a more consistent interior temperature. As a screening element, perforated metal decreases the amount of indoor lighting required. 

5) Eco-friendly

As the ultimate green material for design and construction, perforated metal minimizes resource depletion due to its recyclability, reduces energy in use, promotes sustainability, and invites innovation in terms of innovative & creative design. Additionally, perforations decrease the amount of metal used, which translates to reduced weight and lower fuel transportation costs to the building site.

Architects, designers, contractors & engineers can all benefit from the multitude of eco-friendly solutions that perforated offers. It's aesthetic & unique properties are a green light to create, enhance & explore new solutions - and enjoy a multitude of environmental and visually-appealing benefits.

It is possible to construct double or triple glazed insulated glass units with different glass types & thickness, different cavity thickness & different gas fills which make up the extensive range of products from Carey Glass.

Carey Glass can calculate the Photometric properties of the unique combinations.

Glass properties which are listed will impact in the performance of a building over its lifetime. For example:

•     Poor light transmission though the glazing will mean more lighting
•     The lower the U-value the better thermal insulation (less heat loss) &
•     The lower the solar factor will mean less solar heat gain, which will all have a impact on the air conditioning load.

Acoustics is another import factor, particularly in urban areas or buildings constructed near infrastructure such as airports and motorways; health care, educational & office space where noise control is paramount.

A typical example of glazing properties is shown below

Below is an explanation of the most common terms used in Photometric properties.

    LT – (light transmission) refers to the percentage of the visible spectrum transmitted through the glass.

    Light reflectance in - (internal light reflection) is the percentage of visible light reflected away from the inner surface of the glass, compared to the total visible light that reaches the glass at 90 degrees.

    Light reflectance out - (external light reflection) is the percentage of visible light reflected away from the outer surface of the glass, compared to the total visible light that reaches the glass at 90 degrees

    General Color rendering Index – (Ra)describes how much a objects color changes when it is observed through the glazing as determined according to EN410

    Direct Energy Transmittance - The fraction of the solar radiant heat at normal incidence that is transmitted directly through the glazing without change in wavelength.

    Energy Absorbance - The fraction of solar radiant heat at normal incidence that is absorbed in all the layers of the glazing. Over 60% Toughen Glass. Over 70% a thermal check should be carried out.

    SF (Total Energy Transmittance) - Solar Factor, commonly used in Europe sometimes known as ‘g’ value is the same as Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) used in the USA. The Solar Factor is the ratio of the total solar energy (UV, Visible & near Infra Red) entering through the glass compared to the incident solar energy. This total energy is the sum of the solar energy entering by direct transmittance and the part of the energy absorbed by the glass and re radiated to the inside.

    SC – Shading co-efficient Comparison of the performance of the glass specified to 3mm clear float which has the highest solar factor.

    U value – the center pane insulation value of the glass,  given in W/m²K

    UV Transmittance - is the percentage of Ultra violet radiation transmitted through the glazing.

    Rw - The accessed noise reduction extent in dB with no noise transfer over the adjacent components.

    Rw +C and Rw+Ctr -  Noise reduction plus the correction factor for spectrum I and spectrum 2.

If you would like to find out more information on this or any of the Carey Glass products, please contact us today.

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Source: Carey Glass International
http://www.careyglass.com/news/a-guide-to-photometric-glass-terms/

To Our Valued Clients :

We at Omega II Fence Systems work hard to make sure what we leave behind is our state of the art fencing and not a polluted planet. We have always done our best to use recycled materials without compromising our products' superior quality. These practices are not only implemented in our factory, but throughout our office as well. We have reduced the paper used in our binders by over 80% which is one of the many ways we are trying to reduce our footprint.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System from the US Green Building Council is constantly changing. We ask you check current regulations to see which credits your project could use.

Here are possible LEED points that could be available :

Materials & Resources : 1.1, 1.2, 3.1 & 3.2 – All of the Omega II products are either recyclable or reusable. 4.1 & 4.2 – Most of the Omega II products are made with an estimated 60-80% recycled steel. Additional information on the recycled content and origin of products is listed below.

The following information is based on a declaration issued by the steel mill that provided raw material to make our mesh and tubes.

The tubes and the mesh panels used by OMEGA II to manufacture the fence framework are produced from approximately 60% to 80% recycled steel. The amount can vary depending on the steel vendor.

Approximately 80% of the recycled scrap mix originates from post-consumer sources such as shredded automobiles, obsolete household appliances and other similar consumer products. The remaining 20% originates from pre-consumer sources such as steel plant returns and manufacturing residues.

The geographic origin for the recycled scrap material is distributed approximately as follows:

    Québec – 75%
    Ontario – 10%
    Maritime Provinces – 10%
    Northeastern United States – 5%

Within this mix, approximately 85% is sourced from within 500 km (310 miles) of Montreal and is delivered to the manufacturing site by truck. The remaining scrap feedstock is delivered by rail from within a range of 1,200 km (745 miles) of the mill.

The non-recycled balance of the feed stock originates from virgin iron ore sources materials that originate from the iron ore in North America from Port Cartier, Québec – a distance of approximately 900 km (559 miles).

Any Buy American Omega Architectural panels may have different origins and recycled content. Please contact us for these specific projects.

Please do not hesitate to contact us shall you require more information.

Patrice Beland, Engineer
Director of Engineering
Omega II Fence Systems

LEED®, and its related logo, is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council® and is used with permission.
 

In honor of this month, we are highlighting some of nature's benefits and ways to make your outdoor space more sustainable through native plant selection and environmentally friendly landscape products. Through awareness, choice and action, you can help make a difference in your next landscape project, and aid in the environmental stewardship of our planet.

Beneficial Effects of Nature

Did you know? In addition to reducing stress, spending time in nature can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Studies show that nature can also benefit children with learning difficulties & aid in cognitive thinking in adults. We are intrinsically connected to nature. As we take care of our planet, it takes care of us.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has links to hundreds of free research studies, news articles, and case studies, organized by adult and children health topics. Click here to view >

Sustainable Landscapes

Sustainable landscapes are responsive to the environment, re-generative, and can actively contribute to the development of healthy communities. Sustainable landscapes sequester carbon, clean the air and water, increase energy efficiency, restore habitats, and create value through significant economic, social and environmental benefits. [1]

An important part of sustainable landscaping is plant selection. Native plants reduce storm water runoff, provide ecosystems for pollinators and offer many other benefits. Once established, native plants save time and money by reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water, and maintenance.
 

Native Plants & Pollinators

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is one of the country’s most credible research institutions and effective advocates for native plants. The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to conserve, restore and create healthy landscapes.  Their website offers a free Native Plants Database where you can explore the 8,573 native plants in North America.

Access the Native Plants Database >

The Pollinator Partnership is the largest non-profit organization in the world dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. They offer over 30 beautiful ecoregional planting guides tailored to specific areas of the United States. A mobile app guide is also available to download.

Access Selecting Plants for Pollinators guides >

Sustainable Landscape Products

When it comes to materials, making a conscientious choice in selecting earth-friendly products is good for the planet. As awareness increases, so will the demand increase for the incorporation of earth-friendly materials. For landscape architects, incorporating green materials into your landscape design can also earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits from the United States Green Building Council. John Rocco Sales represents top-tier manufactures of quality eco-friendly products for your landscape architectural needs.

Green Security Fence - Omega II Eco

If you are looking for security while utilizing vertical space, consider the Omega II Eco, a true green security fence system. The Eco fencing is an innovative way to add security & additional privacy from vertical growing vines and plants.

The ECO consists of an assembly of two welded wire panels that protects plants and foliage. The innovative bracket system allows easy access for plant maintenance.

Omega II Fence Systems is committed to producing state of the art fencing and not a polluted planet. All of the Omega II products are either recyclable or reusable, and most are made with an estimated 60-80% recycled steel.

Download the Omega II Fence Systems plant guideline for the Eco >
(requires Adobe Acrobat to view)

GRATES & Water DRAINAGE

We offer sustainable decorative product solutions for perimeter drainage in and around swimming pools, water features and aquatic facilities. Our grating products are environmentally friendly and fully comply with the ADA’s standards.

Our Ironsmith metal castings are another popular choice for use in trench grating, foot grilles and fountain covers. Grating can be curved or designed to match trench body shapes or air vents.

Make A Difference

Little changes can make a huge difference in taking care of our planet and protecting our future. Sustainable landscaping is good for our air, our water, pollinators and us. Help the planet by choosing materials that are earth-friendly, and together we can help to make a difference.

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References:
[1] American Society of Landscape Architects
https://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/about.html

Trees are essential to our planet’s health, as well as our own. Trees help to clean our air by removing pollution from the atmosphere. During one year, a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange.[1] One large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people.[2]

Trees are also a good investment of our public dollars. Every dollar spent on planting and caring for a community tree yields benefits that are two to five times that investment —benefits that include cleaner air, lower energy costs, improved water quality & storm water control, and increased property values. [3]

In crowded urban settings, trees provide much needed cooling. To design pedestrian friendly streets, large canopy trees are critical. By providing shade and releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves, trees lower surface and air temperatures. Shaded surfaces may be 20–45°F cooler than the peak temperatures of unshaded materials. [4]

Finding space to plant trees can be challenging in heavy pedestrian urban cities. Tree grates are a perfect solution for this type of setting. Tree grates cover space with a surface that people can walk on, but which allow rainwater to run down to the soil beneath. They help to protect the base and root system of a tree while providing easy watering and drainage.

Tree grates do not impede pedestrian traffic or people with disabilities in comparison to tree beds. Tree grates have an advantage over raised tree beds by allowing space for potentially more trees to be added to collect stormwater, without sacrificing walking space. As the tree trunk expands, tree rings can be removed to expand the diameter of the opening without having to change out the grates.

At John Rocco Sales, we represent sustainable solutions for your tree grating needs. Our tree grate products are made from recycled materials, certified ADA compliant and wheelchair friendly. Available in a variety of designs, shapes and sizes, they effortlessly integrate into the cityscape & design treatment.

Help make our city streets more usable and greener at the same time. Consider our environmentally-friendly tree grates for your next project.

References:
[1] European Environment Agency [2] North Carolina State University [3] U.S. Forest Service, 2011 [4] U.S. EPA

Let’s take a closer look at some of the additional benefits that building facades can provide:

Protection from Elements - High wind speeds associated with severe storms are the most widely recognized threat to the building skin, with damage resulting from high-winds and the impact of airborne debris.

Fresh Air for Occupants - Materials such as perforated metal or expanded metal can provide enough open area to reduce the requirement for artificial mechanical ventilation. When utilized in projects such as parking garages, facades can help to significantly reduce dust & other airborne particles.

Improved Energy Efficiency - By controlling light penetration/filtration & regulating heat, facades can lead to more energy-efficient buildings that achieve solar shading and passive cooling. Building facades can help to create a more comfortable interior by collectively reducing overheating, air conditioning costs and excessive heat loss. 

Light Penetration & Filtration - In addition to increased energy savings, studies have show that natural light provides substantial benefits to human health and productivity. Studies have also shown that day lit spaces can lead to increased revenue in retail applications.

Noise Control - Building facades can reduce the noise impact of the surrounding area on the building, external noises such as construction, rail, traffic, aircraft, etc.

Sustainable Materials

When it comes to sustainable material solutions, metal and glass have numerous advantages. Both are sustainable and recyclable materials, so there is little waste or resource depletion. When used as a building’s facade, these eco-friendly materials offer a multitude of options with environmental, functional and aesthetic benefits.

To assist in your architectural vision, John Rocco Sales offers building facade solutions in perforated metal, expanded metal and architectural glass. These materials offer designers and architects the flexibility to create buildings that combine architectural and aesthetic impact with sustainability.

Perforated Metal

In exterior design applications, perforated metals enhance visual appeal, providing unique decorative qualities while controlling light penetration/filtration, regulating heat, and resulting in more energy-efficient buildings that achieve solar shading and passive cooling.

Perforated metal offers more extensive sound-managing capabilities. It can play an active role in eliminating specific frequencies in sound-filtering systems, such as enclosures surrounding large air-conditioning or compressor units.

Expanded Metal

Similar to perforated, expanded metal is an intermediate raw material that allows light and air to flow freely through it and provides a rigid screen product with a variety of open area configurations.

Available in both flattened and raised profiles, expanded metal can provide a unique three dimensional look. Expanded metal can be almost transparent (depending on the opening); it has mechanical properties and is an excellent conductor.

Architectural Glass

Whether you need a low solar factor or extra strength, the glass industry has gained traction in many areas. The option of curved glass allows designers to create more visually pleasing and unique structures to the building.

Innovations such as solar control and triple glazing offer new advancements in energy efficiency. Glass can be tinted, mirrored and/or laminated to reduce the amount of daylight. High performance laminated glass is a sophisticated solution for safety and security, offering virtually unlimited options.

John Rocco Sales offers building facade material solutions in perforated metal, expanded metal and architectural glass. For additional information about any of our product offerings, please fill out our contact form, or call our office at (732) 431-2089.

We look forward to becoming your architectural material solutions provider.

Imagine if you only read every fourth word of this article, or understood every fourth word that was spoken to you. A student’s ability to hear what is being said is key to learning.

Up to 30 percent of our children in classrooms today can’t understand what is being said to them for numerous reasons. The key contributors are the many different sources of noise, coupled with poor classroom acoustics. Poor classroom acoustics arise when the other sources of sound interfere with the student’s ability to hear the teacher. There are several sources of sound, both direct and indirect.

Contributors to poor classroom acoustics:

• Reverberation is sound that is bouncing off other objects in the classroom, such as desks, chairs, bookshelves. When the sound lingers in the room, it affects the ability to hear speech. It is important to have short reverberation time in classrooms.
• Background noise is any ancillary noise coming from any number of sources from classroom chatter, to noise in hallways and outside the school make it a distraction, and affects the students academic performance.
• Poor acoustical design such as thin walls, or hard surfaces that bounce sound and result in echoes and longer reverberation times in the classroom.
• Language barriers and hearing disabilities. There are other factors, including the significant number of children who are learning in a language not spoken in their homes. It is also estimated that, at any given time up to “25% of young children have ear infections and others may have slight hearing losses due to more permanent conditions" (Bess, 1998; Niskar et al., 2001).(1)

Children under the age of 13 are still developing mature language and “have not yet developed their listening skills to be able to differentiate the spoken word from the background sound.”(2)  There are many factors that go into creating a successful learning environment for our children. Good acoustics is essential to learning.

Small Changes, Big Results

In 2004, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the U.S. Access Board, and the Acoustical Society of America created the American National Standard Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools. These guidelines were designed to help improve on background noise and reverberation time, and their effect on speech intelligibility. Free downloads of the ANSI standards are available from the Acoustical Society of America website.

Schools being built today are being built with the new standards in mind, but what about the older schools? Unfortunately, most schools are not free of certain acoustical obstacles. The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities have put together information on acoustical standards and methods on how to calculate the quality of existing space. The full assessment and additional resource materials for classroom acoustics can be found here on their website.

There are numerous projects in schools today that are making improvements in classroom acoustics, and offering up creative and cost effective solutions. The following are some of the suggested guidelines from the U.S. Access Board (click here to see the entire list) to reduce reverberation and background noise:

• Add new suspended acoustical tile ceiling if room height permits
• Add sound-absorbing panels high on walls at sides and rear of room
• Replace existing windows with new thermal insulating units (this will improve energy performance, too)
• Add a custom built sound enclosure around HVAC unit(s)

Absorptive material on the walls can improve intelligibility. Wall panels are a cost effective option and can be made from recyclable materials. Other treatments include ceiling panels. Cut out into shapes, such as clouds, ceiling panels can be integrated in creative ways to further enhance the overall audible & visual experience for children. With the increasing awareness and demand for more sustainable green schools, new eco-friendly products are being installed in classrooms.

The buildings in which we live, work, and play affect our health and environment. Negative impacts can be reduced by proper planning and utilizing resource-efficient materials in the building’s design and construction. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED Green Building Rating System is world's most widely applied standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Learn more about LEED at the USGBC website.

John Rocco Sales offers innovative and unique architectural products to accent your overall design & project goals. Many of the materials we represent are eco-friendly and can help towards achieving LEED credits. For more information on our sustainable product solutions, please contact us.

References & Additional Resources:

(1) Classroom Acoustics: What Possibly Could Be New?
Peggy B. Nelson, PhD, CCC-A; Susan B. Blaeser
The ASHA Leader, September 2010, Vol. 15, 16-19
http://leader.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=2291688

(2) Green Schools as High Performance Learning Facilities (PDF format)
http://www.ncef.org/pubs/greenschools.pdf

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/American-National-Standard-on-Classroom-Acoustics

The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
http://www.ncef.org

The Acoustical Society of America
http://acousticalsociety.org

U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org

Center for Green Schools
http://www.centerforgreenschools.org