Case Western Reserve University

The LEED Gold certified Tinkham Veale University Center and its panoramic, double-skin glass façade is the newest addition to Case Western Reserve University’s Campus, spanning 89,000 square feet. Unifying the campus physically and philosophically through its grandeur and iconic design, it sits at the heart of the new campus and captures the spirit of its branding anthem, “Think Beyond The Impossible”. The stunning openness of this active glass façade makes the center feel like a bridge, rather than a barrier, between the east and west sides of the campus. Sustainability, energy efficiency and optimized performance were key factors in Perkins & Will’s design of the double-skin façade system. The team explored several options early-on in the design pr0cess to control solar heat and light gain, and multiple system types and configurations were studied to determine cost-effectiveness, durability and function- including an extensive exploration into airflow through the double-skin cavity. Since passive ventilation was not a workable option, the 3-foot wide cavity between the exterior monolithic façade and the interior insulated glass façade uses mechanical ventilation to control the transfer of heat, while allowing for ease of maintenance. Utilizing Sentech’s VetraFin G-Series System, the final combination of architectural elements served to meet all of the project’s energy, functional and aesthetic goals while allowing for complete transparency and a structural glass solution that serves to minimize energy usage in both winter and summer seasons.