Located in Denver, CO, the One Lincoln Park project utilized 70,000 sq. ft. of cold-formed steel panelized wall systems that utilized Unistak™ (Patent Pending) interlocking stacking track.
The 34-story project, which was completed in September 2008, also features CENTRIA Dimension Series 2” Insulated Panels and custom Kawneer 2250 IG Window Framing.
The facility, a multi-purpose high-end condominium project with retail stores on the ground level, was designed by BYG Architects, Denver, CO. The general contractor was Swinerton Builders, Arvada, CO. The fabrication and installing contractor for the panelized walls, insulated panels and window framing was A1 Glass, Inc. of Englewood, CO.
About Unistak Track And Panelized Wall Systems
The uniquely-designed and technically-innovative Unistak™ track by A-1 Glass is designed to dramatically improve air and water resistance at joints in exterior curtain wall installations of cold-formed/light-gauge exterior steel framing assemblies, while effectively and efficiently accommodating vertical movement.
Mid-rise and high-rise commercial buildings commonly use light-gauge exterior steel framing attached to the slab edge in a “curtain wall” type of installation, to provide a support system for the outside skin of a building. These light-gauge framing assemblies provide versatile, cost-effective, lightweight, and noncombustible support systems for a variety of cladding materials including brick, stone, stucco, and EIFS. Further, while light-gauge steel framing is commonly stick-framed, it is also ideally-suited for prefabricated panel construction which can provide additional economy during construction.
Vertical movement such as deflection of floor beams and floor decks at the head of wall caused by live load deflection, frame shrinkage, and seismic loading has, until now, typically been accomplished by the use of a gap between butt-ends of the framing, or in some instances by a slip track or double track (track-over-track) installation. Unfortunately, none of these approaches to accommodating vertical movement effectively prevent air and water leakage at the joints, which can result in significant problems with water leakage and air infiltration.
The Unistak™ track addresses these concerns at the joints with a simple design and easy installation, which reduces the cost of materials and labor. The secret is in the exclusive Patent Pending “interlocking” track members, which utilize a distinctly-formed and reversible steel track with overlapping vertical sections and gasket system which reduces the potential for air infiltration, and which simultaneously prevents water infiltration and provides integral drainage. The design provides for continuous engagement of the light-gauge steel framing, instead of point-concentrated connections. In addition, since the Unistak™ track is hung from the floor above, it utilizes conventional connectors to the building structure. Because of these distinctive and inventive features, the Unistak™ track is reportedly the only framing system currently available to simultaneously address both vertical deflection and reduce air and water infiltration.
For more information on UNISTAK™, email Craig Carson at craigc@a1glassinc.com or Dave Villella at davev@a1glassinc.com.
For information about products from CENTRIA, visit www.centria.com.