525 William Penn Place

2020
Written By Perkins Eastman
WHO
Architect: Perkins Eastman
Installer: DM Products
WHERE & WHEN
Pittsburgh, PA
Americas
Completed · 2020
WHAT & HOW
Office & Retail · Renovation
25'-high "glass box" lobby
VS1 facade-to-skylight; toggle fittings

Innovation Glass was honored to be selected for the Perkins Eastman-designed lobby renovation of Pittsburgh’s iconic 525 William Penn Place skyscraper. Built in 1951, 525 now features a fresh and modern VS1 glass box entryway.

Innovation Glass is grateful for another excellent collaboration with Perkins Eastman. Together our teams worked through many complicated details to achieve a visually striking restoration of this landmark's lobby.

The flush exterior of the 25’-high lobby wall is achieved using the VS1 toggle system, which eliminates the need for external pinch plates. VS1 is a through-the-joint point-supported system, which visually minimizes the presence of the vertical mullions. The wall transparency is further complimented by the elimination of all horizontal framing. The smooth transition from wall to ceiling and the all-glass canopy and vestibule details are standard features of VS1 facades.

Architect Image

FROM THE ARCHITECT PERKINS EASTMAN

❝ The project encompasses a gut renovation of the lobby, addition of a new tenant lounge and fitness center, and an introduction of a new monumental glass curtainwall and entry pavilion along the street level. Carefully weaving new and existing elements together at the street level creates a glass enclosure that “borrows” the classic façade of a neighboring historic building and merges the streetscape into the lobby to create a dramatic new entrance.❞
“I have collaborated with Franz for close to 30 years, he has been one of my go-to people when I want to work with an open-minded and creative partner, someone to bounce ideas around and solve interesting problems, of any scale and budget—butterfly houses, facades of all types, canopies, and glass steps. I have found Franz never shies away from a challenge, he has an intuitive sense of design and engineering, and like all great collaborators, gets excited when you start asking the “what if” questions. There is nothing quite as fun and fulfilling as sketching through the various design solutions to an option. I have never heard no from Franz; he is always positive and delivers quality through and through.”
Person's Image

Nicholas Leahy Co-CEO and Executive Director
PERKINS EASTMAN

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