University of Kentucky Research Building #2

This state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research building, also known as Healthy Kentucky Research Building, is located at the University of Kentucky. This multi-phase, 6 floor, 300,000 square foot project houses an auditorium, meeting spaces, laboratories, research suites and offices among other research focused amenities. Glass walls and large curtainwall openings designed, manufactured, and installed by Strong Tower provide natural lighting and help create an open environment throughout the facility.

Starting with the exterior, Oldcastle Building Envelope (OBE) Reliance Cassette Curtain Wall System was selected and approved for this project. This system provided a Four-sided structurally glazed appearance.

MS 375 Thermal Composite Entrances and Zero Sightline 30P Operable Windows from OBE were also installed. Both designed to be inserted into the curtainwall and storefront systems. The operable windows allow for ventilation without the sightline of a conventional window. The entrances are comparable to the curtain wall in thermal performance.

Strong Tower further installed the aluminum plate and metal composite panels supplied by ACMpanelworx, Inc. which covered 19,500 square feet of the project. The selected EVO Rivetless rain screen panel system offers high-performance moisture protection with a fastener concealed installation.

Contributing to the natural light environment, the exterior envelope is made of more than 48,000 square feet of vision and spandrel glass supplied by Viracon, Inc.

Strong Tower’s interior scope included additional glazing and panel work along with a powder coated steel, free standing handrail. A Dorma Pure Wall System from Dorma Interior was installed. GPX Architectural Series Fire Resistive Framing and glazing were supplied by SaftiFirst and installed. Lastly, Strong Tower coordinated the installation of a large window film package.

Using 3M VHB Structural Glazing Tape, the Strong Tower shop glazed the Reliance Cassette Frames with insulated glass units and insulated composite panels for field installation into the Reliance curtain wall grid framing. Carefully storing the fabricated and assembled materials, Strong Tower was able to make well-timed deliveries to serve our installers.