General Motors Renaissance Center, Wintergarden, Detroit, Michigan

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
Type of works: supply and installation of steel structural systems and glazing systems.

The Wintergarden atrium consists of a glazed barrel vault roof and walls that are five stories tall. The client’s tight budget was met with a very creative engineered solution that incorporated seven Novum systems. A spacious lightweight solution is punctuated in the roof structure where curved, Yellow painted, wide flange beams are subtly minimized via pre-tensioning using "floating" masts that are suspending below. The masts run parallel to the spine of the barrel and are highlighted in a contrasting White color. Rounding out the wall is point supported glass. The Novum systems approach resulted in achieving the desired architecture within budget.

AES, BB, DC, TC and TR structural systems were used. The primary steel framing system consists of painted wide flanges and round tubular sections. The round tubes are attached via hidden bolted connections. The project also features LSG and PSG glazing systems. Green tinted, insulating glass with a low-E coating is used for the walls. The lowest level of wall glass is supported by stainless-steel glazing arms. All other glass is supported by aluminum profiles and fastens to purlins with screws and toggle plates. The roof is made of heat strengthened, Green tinted, insulating glass with a low-E coating and PVB interlayer.