University of Central Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri
UCM
Technoform partners with Insulite Glass Company
UCM
Photo credit: Alistair Tutton Photography, Inc.

Technoform partners with Insulite Glass Company to specify our durable warm edge spacer.

Unique hybrid design delivers maximum performance for minimum energy costs

Multi-story exterior glazing at the University of Central Missouri’s new Student Recreation and Wellness Center makes a bold design statement – yet poses a serious challenge to the building’s energy efficiency. So when the project’s architect sought a spacer that provided unrivaled thermal efficiency, performance and aesthetic appeal, he insisted on a warm edge spacer from Technoform. Technoform's spacer met the architect’s stringent criteria for a high performance spacer by delivering maximum occupant comfort, the highest energy efficiency possible and major operational cost-savings to the Center.

The challenge

The project’s original architectural glass manufacturer was charged with providing 400 finished window units for the Center, and that company insisted on integrating a traditional stainless steel IG spacer into its finished window units. However, project architects at Kansas City, Missouri-based Gould Evans were not satisfied with the previously-specified stainless steel spacer. Gould Evans’ Associate Vice President Dan Zeller, AIA, had called on Technoform's spacer, with its hybrid polymer and structural stainless steel design, for several past projects. Zeller viewed the spacer as an essential component in the drive to maximize the holistic performance of the Center’s large glass walls.
“We’ve done everything we can to enhance the thermal and structural properties of the glass in this project. To do that, we needed to specify the highest performing glass and glass components available, and Technoform's spacer helped get us where we need to be,” Zeller said in recalling the decision to specify Technoform. “It’s a better performing spacer system than stainless steel, and it doesn’t transfer as much energy through a window system. This project incorporates a lot of glass, so the components we use to improve the edge performance of a window will make a real difference.”

Eventually, Insulite Glass Company, Inc. (“Insulite”) was retained to provide architectural glass for the Center.  Based in Olathe, Kansas, Insulite is a recognized industry leader in automated architectural flat glass fabrication. Its fenestration products include insulating glass, tempered glass, heat strengthened glass, reflective glass, low-e glass, spandrel glass, laminated glass, firelite and tempered glass doors and entrance systems. Larry Vasholz, Insulite’s Director of Sales, had specified Technoform’s spacer in past Insulite products. As Technoform's Chris Mcaughey recalled, “Larry had worked with our company before and understood the benefits that our spacer offers. At the outset of this project, we ran a series of simulations that compared our spacer’s performance to that of competing products. This validated Insulite’s confidence in our company and our product. We also offered the expertise needed to help Insulite integrate our spacer into the finished designs, which Larry really appreciated.”

We needed to specify the highest performing glass and glass components available, and Technoform's spacer helped get us where we need to be. It’s a better performing spacer system than stainless steel, and it doesn’t transfer as much energy through a window system.

Dan Zeller, AIA, Assistant Vice President, Gould Evans

Technoform's spacer is a unique hybrid spacer system incorporating high-performance polymer and low conductivity stainless steel to provide minimal heat transfer, and maximum protection against gas leakage and moisture penetration. Thermally efficient building envelopes of today and tomorrow are critical to energy management, and Technoform's spacer’s drop-in solution meets or exceeds the toughest industry expectations in all climates.

Do you have a challenge for us?