Challenge
Long-Span Curtain Wall with Sculpted Mullions
The project required VS-1 curtain wall spans reaching up to 21.7 feet, while maintaining slender mullion profiles and accommodating varying facade heights without the need for horizontal mullions. The design also called for sculpted "bullet-shaped" mullions that minimized their perceived depth without sacrificing structural performance.
Project
8495 Sunset Blvd | Challenge One
Process
01
Engineered the VS-1 curtain wall to span up to 21.7 ft while maintaining structural integrity without the need for rod bracing against lateral torsional buckling.
02
The glass is offset from the mullion for greater transparency.
03
Developed a 1½-inch joint detail that accommodates seismic drift while maintaining weather performance, structural integrity, and clean facade lines.
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04
Utilized multiple bullet-shaped mullion depths, including 5-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch profiles, depending on loading conditions and building height.
05
Optimized the mullion geometry so the profiles appear thinner from occupied spaces while maintaining required strength.
06
Round slip-in anchors accommodate in-plane and out-of-plane building movement while maintaining curtain wall alignment.
Result
Delivered long-span curtain wall with clean, sculpted mullions that balance structural performance and refined aesthetics. The varying mullion profiles maintain a consistent visual language across changing structural demands.
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