One Canalside, Buffalo, N.Y.
Retrofit Team
Owner/Developer: Benderson Development, University Park, Fla.
Architect: Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst Architects P.C., Orchard Park, N.Y.
General Contractor: Clark Construction Group LLC, Bethesda, Md.
Independent Guardian Select Fabricator: United Plate Glass, Butler, Pa.
Materials
Design guidelines required glass for the first two stories of retail. Tinted or reflective glass was not permitted. A high-performance curtainwall system was required to meet the prescribed design and energy standards. To address noise from a nearby elevated interstate and multi-modal facility where light rail, passenger and freight railways converge, SunGuard SNR 43 triple-glazed units were used for the office space on the upper four floors and for the hotel’s lower floors. The high-performing acoustic glazing system was designed to keep the noise out and provide a comfortable workspace and respite for guests.
“The glass system gave us a minimum 40-decibel reduction in sound from the plus 80-decibel average noise level outside the building,” says Philip S. DiNicola, R.A., principal at Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst.
In a 1-inch double-glazed (1/2-inch air gap) system, SunGuard SNR 43 was used for the vision units on the retail spaces on the first floor while 1-inch insulating units with a 1/4-inch warm gray ceramic frit were installed at the spandrel locations in the curtainwall portions.
SunGuard SNR 43 glass is designed to take advantage of the local climate to reduce cooling and heating needs while letting in abundant natural light. With a low solar heat gain coefficient of 0.23 and neutral appearance, SunGuard SNR 43 glass helps architects Build With Light and achieve energy savings.
There is an abundance of natural light in our offices,” notes Becky Farbo, chief marketing officer for Phillips Lytle LLP, the law firm occupying the top four floors of One Canalside. “We know that environments with more daylight can improve morale and well-being, as well as realize energy efficiency.”
Glass Manufacturer: Guardian Industries Corp.
The Retrofit
Once a thriving business center along the Erie Canal, the William J. Donovan State Office Building became dormant in 2007. Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst Architects was charged with rebuilding the facility, renamed One Canalside, into a mixed-use structure. Despite the structure’s good foundation, the existing building would not meet the design and performance goals set by the owner and building team, so the building was stripped to its core before being transformed into a hotel, office and retail space.
“To meet performance and energy standards, the building essentially needed to be skinned entirely and refitted,” DiNicola says. “That meant doing away with a curtainwall system that was outdated, inefficient and dilapidated.” Reduced to its core, the existing envelope was removed from the original building, along with any non-permanent structure elements. Those involved in the project salvaged as much of the building as possible.
One Canalside was built with the goal of achieving LEED Silver certification. Building materials were required to help reduce energy consumption and operating costs while taking advantage of the local climate.
Photo: Courtesy of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp.