 Photo © Chad Davis, Photo courtesy of Tubelite Inc. The Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center (CTC) serves approximately 2400 high school juniors and seniors from across the Arlington Independent School District in Texas. Designed by VLK Architects, CTC emphasizes transparency to promote collaboration and connection. Incorporating curtain wall, storefront, entrances, diagonal sun shades, and interior framing systems, CTC’s purpose-built, two-story structure spans 15,775 m2 (169,800 sf). The facility is designed for flexibility to evolve and adapt to changing programs and future areas of interests. According to the architect, the school also serves as a subconscious billboard to the community, visitors, and students who understand they are entering an institution of higher learning and not just another run-of-the-mill high school building. Distinguishing itself, the CTC’s custom 610-mm (24-in.) vertical sun shade detail runs the length of the 230-mm (9-in.) deep curtain wall. Not only is the sun shade custom, but it is also on a slant connecting at the bottom of one vertical curtain wall mull and carries across to the top of the next one. A 3D printer was used to create various sizes and thicknesses of the sun shade detail. These prototypes saved money and time, and assisted the architect in determining the right look before committing to the expense of new dies. Enhancing the façade’s strength and thermal performance for the Texas heat, CTC’s storefront and curtain wall systems both use high-performance, low-emissivity (low-e) glass. This helps block unwanted solar heat and allow in visible light for year-round comfort, as well as heating and cooling cost savings. Further minimizing costs and maintenance, the clear anodize finish on all of the 22,860 m (75,000 ft) of extruded aluminum framing protects the structural integrity of the metal for lasting durability. Inspired by the building itself, VLK Architects also designed CTC’s brand image with a repeating pattern reminiscent of the sun shade fins. Inside CTC, this pattern reoccurs in wayfinding and signage, and the interior flush glaze framing system maximizes transparency and daylighting. |
