Great Glazing | Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center
The project’s high altitude at 14,115 feet above sea level presented unique challenges and design criteria
Architects: RTA Architects and GWWO Architects
Glazier: El Paso Glass
Fabricator: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
The Basics
Known as America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak is located on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center opened in 2021 and was the first Living Building Challenge certified project constructed in the state.
The Design
The project’s high altitude at 14,115 feet above sea level presented unique challenges and design criteria for the Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope team. As weather conditions would allow, machinery could only run at a 60% capacity, workers dealt with the possibility of altitude sickness, and there was an EMT stationed on-site.
The materials
Project-specific performance mock-up impact testing had to be conducted at wind speeds of up to 270 miles per hour. Custom vertical mullions were added in a veneer concept to the OBE Reliance™ StormMax® High Performance 10-foot system that could be attached directly to the structural steel building framing. Opting for a bird-friendly glass application makes the project even more eco-friendly using clear with AviProtek Pattern 213 #1 – 0.060 and clear PVB, clear with Solarban 70 #4 over clear.
Learn more
Learn more at obe.com, 866/653-2278.
