Regional Adaptability: Navigating Architectural Nuances Across the Nation

The U.S. is made up of a variety of regions, each with their own needs based on climate, population, and cultural factors. Designing spaces in the various regions across the country requires adaptable systems that can meet architectural and design goals as well as building code and ADA requirements. The projects that follow accounted for architectural nuances necessitated by the region’s environment and design requirements as well as cultural factors and space considerations.

Kingwood High School - Kingwood, Texas

In 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, flooding Kingwood High School and causing the school to close for several months for restoration. Humble ISD, the district in which Kingwood High School is located, received federal funding and FEMA funds to renovate the school and prepare it to welcome back the 2,800 students that were displaced after the flood.

To guard against another flooding event, the school’s design includes flood mitigation features including automatic flood gates at the entrances to protect from encroaching flood water. In addition to the flood gates, the entire building is protected by flood walls to prevent flood waters from entering the building and aquarium glass will further protect the building while still allowing natural light to enter. The design also includes features that improve drainage.

Runway at Playa Vista - Los Angeles, California

Located on the West Coast, Los Angeles is vulnerable to earthquakes, wildfires, and pollution, so designing in the city requires careful thought and attention to the existing land features as well as planning for the current and future needs of the community. The Runway at Playa Vista is a mixed-use community that includes housing, shopping, fitness centers, and even a medical center.

The city’s Citywide Design Guidelines layout special considerations for designing and building in Los Angeles and include a focus on Climate-Adapted Design that “fosters easy access to the outdoors, sunlight and breezes, nourishes habitat, promotes energy efficiency, and enhances the well-being of people.”

To meet these goals, the development made use of the space available by building up, including residential apartments above retail spaces, and going down to create below-grade parking. It also includes canopies and trellises to create shade protection. Many of the spaces have large windows to allow for lots of sunlight indoors as well as terraces that allow access to the outdoors.

Cedars-Sinai is located at Runway and offers medical services close to home for its residents. The design incorporates large windows and employs VIVA Railings SOLOTM Glass Railing System to create balconies that dot the exterior or the building and offer patients and staff the opportunity to get outside. The colored glass infill joins the lively color scheme of Runway and meets the goals of making sunlight and warm breezes as easily accessible as possible.

FUSD Hopkins Jr. High School - Fremont, California

California is known for its warm, sunny climate. Fremont is located on the East Bay of the Bay Area, south of San Francisco, and this area sees an average of 264 days of sun per year, making sun control systems essential for indoor comfort. At the FUSD Hopkins Jr. High School, VIVA Railings Sun Control System wraps the top and side of the building’s windows to create protection from the sun. As the image shows, as the sun moves around the building, the perforated metal panels shade the interior while still allowing light to filter through the perforations.

Brooklyn Heights Public Library - New York, New York

The Brooklyn Public Library system has 61 branches scattered throughout the borough, ensuring easy access for Brooklyn’s 2.7 million residents. In fact, according to the BPL website, the majority of these residents live within a half-mile of a branch. New York City, which includes Brooklyn and four other boroughs, is the most populated city in the U.S., bringing certain architectural considerations to the forefront — namely, how to make the best use of the space available and serve the portion of BPL’s nearly 6 million visitors that visit the Brooklyn Heights branch.

The Brooklyn Heights Public Library is part of the larger New Cadman Plaza, also called One Clinton, located on a triangular lot and serves as the first three floors of a 38-story high rise. The high-rise towers above Cadman Plaza Park and includes 134 residential units on the floors above the library.

To serve such a large population of patrons, the library uses VIVA Railings STRUCTM Metal Panel Railings System to create a guard for the second floor in the double height Main Hall. For the stairways, handrails meet building code requirements while adding safety and stability for those walking up and down the stairs.The perforated panels are powder coated white to contribute to the library’s bright and open design

Navigate Architectural Nuances with VIVA Railings

Different areas of the country have different architectural needs depending on where the area is located and its climate and population. Areas prone to flooding must consider implementing flood mitigation into the design while areas prone to constant sunlight, earthquakes, or population density will necessitate their own adaptations, and VIVA can help you navigate all of these factors.

Contact an expert at VIVA Railings today to discuss how our systems can adapt to your region and architectural needs.