Kalwall 2024 Projects We Love – Issue #2

At Kalwall, our focus has always been innovating daylighting solutions for healthy, beautiful and sustainable buildings. Every project we have the honor of contributing to is built with love—that’s why we continue to celebrate our work and the people who make it all possible in this second issue of Projects We Love.

Franklin Township Library—Somerset, NJ

This project has quite an interesting story. In 2005, the library decided to break the design specification and move forward with a manufacturer who produces polycarbonate panels instead of Kalwall’s translucent Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) faces for its skyroof®. The decision to use polycarbonate was based on project budget savings, which would save the library $90k. After installation, the occupants of the library noticed that the solar heat gain became unbearable, and the HVAC system could not cool enough in the warmer months nor warm enough in the colder months. As a result, 18 months after installation, the library found it was losing $50-$60k every year in energy costs and needed to do something about it. After almost 19 years of exorbitant operational costs, moisture leaks and panel yellowing, Kalwall was once again asked to provide a solution, and the library finally received what was originally intended—perfectly diffuse, museum-quality daylighting™ that not only provides exceptional thermal performance but is virtually maintenance-free and will thrive in all climates for decades to come. Over the 19-year period with inefficient, failing polycarbonate and high HVAC costs, the library could have dramatically saved on these costs if they originally installed Kalwall’s translucent FRP faces in its skyroof. The energy savings, occupant comfort, visual acuity and longevity of Kalwall’s products are superior to any other daylighting alternative. In trying to save the library $90k for an inferior solution—a classic story of how sometimes “you get what you pay for.”

Stephen Del Guercio—New Jersey & Philadelphia, PA

“Cliffhanger”—Surrey, UK

Cliffhanger is a unique private residence cantilevered over a hillside in Surry, UK. Originally designed in 1962 by Michael Manser of The Manser Practice, it was one of the first steel-framed houses in Britain positioned on stilts on a 50-degree incline. But by 2022, the house had fallen into disrepair and needed refurbishing. The original architect’s son, Jonathan, spearheaded the redesign and featured our Kalcurve® structural translucent panels to daylight this now beautiful residence while realizing optimal thermal performance. Completed in June 2024, this hilltop beauty was a shortlisted finalist in the AJ Architecture Awards for the Manser Medal – AJ House of the Year.

Amy Keller, VP Int’l Sales and Marketing

Case Western Reserve University Veale Center—Cleveland, OH

When Case Western University wanted to replace a failing facade system while showcasing the school’s brand, the engineering team at Kalwall knew this was the perfect project to incorporate beautiful backlighting. Kalwall worked closely with the architect to vet multiple samples directly onsite at night to test each configuration and determine which would produce the best aesthetic with the lighting. The University was initially looking for a blue backlit exterior, but the architect and lighting engineer had bolder visions—they delivered! This project boasts a dynamic design with the ability to change colors. The impact-resistant Kalwall installation also brings safety and privacy to occupants utilizing the interior stairwell. This project highlights how a typically unglamorous installation of a stairwell, can really provide a “wow factor” to an otherwise unremarkable part of the campus.

John Kelly—Ohio

IOWA DOT—Ames, IA

In late 2021, Kalwall and SGH Concepts set out to solve issues with the existing Iowa DOT building. The owner’s main priority was bringing in more light to their office spaces while giving the building a facelift from the original facade and windows that had been in place for decades. This factory unitized curtainwall project features Kalwall’s cloud series panels- alternating Cumulus and Stratus tints, with integrated windows. This retrofit brought a breath of fresh air through perfectly diffuse daylight— creating more vibrant workspaces for building occupants as well as a brand-new exterior featuring a contemporary look on both sides of the building. The jobsite superintendent could not believe the ease of installation and loves the new modern daylighting facade system. The aesthetics, abundance of light and reduction of solar heat gain were key benefits to this transformational project.

Tom Hon, Regional Manager—Midwest-Rockies-Western Canada

McAuley Park Mercy Care—Atlanta, GA

Mercy Care is a federally qualified health center based in Atlanta, GA that was designed with Kalwall’s translucent unitized curtainwall system for a variety of benefits. In addition to the primary goal of providing aesthetically pleasing natural daylight to all building occupants, the energy-efficient wall system was chosen to dramatically reduce operational costs. Kalwall offers superior thermal performance and excellent SHGC control to reduce HVAC requirements and the need for extra artificial lighting. Additionally, the factory-assembled modular system allowed rapid onsite installation, further aiding the project’s goal of minimizing budget expenditures.

Loving the cost savings Kalwall brings to McAuley Park Mercy Care? We do too, watch the complete project overview.

Matt Beganie, Regional Manager—Southeast Region