Contemporary and Collaborative
Named for philanthropists Jill and Frank Fertitta, the newest building on the campus of the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business merges contemporary and technology-driven classroom and collaborative spaces with classic Collegiate Gothic Revival architecture. For a campus rich in architectural diversity and historic precedent, the traditional aesthetic has become a unifying element among new construction projects. Fertitta Hall is part of a $400 million effort to support students, faculty, programs, and facilities.
Construction on the new building began in 2014 with Fertitta Hall opening in September for the 2016-2017 academic year. The exterior glazing scope of work included nearly 150 solid steel windows and doors in more than two dozen configurations.
Aluminim vs. Steel
When architects from AC Martin of Los Angeles were evaluating window options, they considered both aluminum and steel options. As part of the process, they toured USC’s Cinematic Arts School campus. The six buildings completed in 2014 feature arched and rectangular windows fabricated by Hope’s Windows, Inc. of Jamestown, New York. Seeing the hot-rolled, solid-steel windows – customized to match the desired Gothic aesthetic while meeting rigorous performance demands – sealed the deal. Hope’s Windows were selected for Fertitta Hall.
Solid Steel
Fertitta Hall features Hope’s Jamestown175TM Series fixed and casement windows, door transoms, and sidelights; and Hope’s 5000 SeriesTM swing doors and offset pivot doors. Eight of the fixed windows measures 72 inches wide by 486 inches tall, peaking into custom arch tops. True muntins, welded and ground smooth, arch and cross in the frames. The considerable size was made possible by the strength of the hot-rolled solid steel. It contributed to energy efficiency as well, a consideration in a building that targets LEED Gold certification. Similar aluminum windows would have required seamed and mechanically fastened parts, presenting thermal break points for air or water leakage.
Smooth Installation
SCGMA member Sherrin Glass and Metal, Inc., of Los Alamitos, Ca., installed the windows. Drawing on past experience working with Hope’s products, Sherrin Glass Site Superintendent Patrick Liskey said the project went smoothly. “There was only one challenge out there,” Liskey said. “That was the weight and size of the windows.”
Sherrin Glass purchased a counterbalanced floor crane and electrical hoist from England to ensure safe installation. Windows were rigged and hoisted into the openings, sparing the backs of the installation crew.
Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company Project Manager Alex Maffei spoke highly of the Sherrrin Glass team’s meticulous planning and coordination, citing the company’s use of lean construction techniques for keeping the project on schedule and maintaining high jobsite safety standards.
“I would consider the performance of Sherrin Glass and Metal to be on par with the best in the industry,” he said. “The coordination between the office and field personnel was seamless, with the product knowledge, scheduling, and installation shared by all of the employees. It is clear from their performance that Sherrin Glass as a company takes great pride in their ability to buy out, plan, and execute a project from preconstruction through delivery.”
Amenities
The 102,000-square foot, five-story building includes 20 classrooms, a 150-seat lecture hall, 50 breakout rooms for small groups, the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, library, café, lounges, and offices. The facility accommodates the entire undergraduate program and Marshall School of Business Admissions. According to AC Martin, “The focus remained on creating a facility that is intensely collaborative and interactive using the latest technology to support [USC’s] unique educational pedagogy as well as provide abundant support spaces creating the student-centric environment with social gathering, food services, lounges, and study space.”