"access panels"

Since 2020, Hush Acoustics has been collaborating with Staples on a nationwide project to enhance the acoustic environment across their North American stores. The goal was to replace conventional materials with those offering superior acoustic properties, all while preserving Staples’ iconic brand look and feel. This ambitious project spans across the nation, aiming to transform the auditory experience in Staples stores without compromising on aesthetics.

About the ProjectThe Qatar National Library covers over 42,000 sq. metres and houses millions of books, e-books, historic texts, manuscripts, periodicals and more. The entire building has been envisioned to look like a single room with clear views of the surrounding areas. Tying into the entire project’s overarching theme, the architect designed the building to resemble a diamond. A sunken patio in the heart of the building provides light to the office spaces while also serving as a transition space between the harsh outdoors and the sanctuary of books inside.The ChallengeThe customer’s vision for the library required panels that offered clear views with minimal to no reflection.

Environmental Product Declaration Roll Formed Steel Panels

Introduction Prefinished sheet steel is used on many building products from wall cladding, to architectural roofing to interior panels. Prefinished sheet steel has been used in Canada for over 30 years and there may be sites were the paint surface is in need of repainting. This bulletin is intended to give some guidance on repainting prefinished panels. Due to the diversity of factory applied prefinished systems, and the diversity of potential field applied repaint systems, it is impossible to offer one comprehensive repaint procedure for all possible situations. However, it is possible to offer a set of guidelines to be considered in every potential situation.

What is Oil-Canning? Oil-canning is associated with all thin sheet metal products and occurs in the wide flat portions of the cladding profile. It is seen as a series of standing waves, or regular bumps and hollows alternating along the flat length of the panel. This waviness, when viewed under certain conditions, can be undesirable aesthetically and may not meet with the owner’s expectations. The CSSBI wants to help avoid this situation. The cladding manufacturers are aware of the potential for oil-canning in the cladding profiles and can help minimize the effect. It is important for the proper steps to be taken during manufacturing and installation to produce a quality finished product; therefore, specifiers should insist on product from a reliable, experienced cladding manufacturer, like a CSSBI member company. Quality control, however, cannot end on the shop floor. The building project needs the cooperation and knowledge of everyone involved to enhance the quality of the finished job. Oil-canning is a phenomenon that can be managed if the following factors are considered at the beginning of a project.

About Galliard HomesHaving serviced London’s real estate market for over a quarter of a century, Galliard Homes is the English capital’s largest privately owned residential developer. Over their years in the business, Galliard has become synonymous with regeneration, rejuvenation and reinvention. About Our CustomerProviding a wide range of façade design and engineering services to real estate companies across Europe, Yuanda has been transforming the continent’s skylines for over a decade. By offering a combination of European system design and Chinese materials and fabrication, Yuanda continues to provide world-class and cost-effective façade solutions to the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. The BriefThe Harbour Central project was conceptualised to transform the London Docklands into an up-and-coming residential area. The project, which comprises 5 residential towers, boasts a total façade area of 63,000 square metres. The façades were designed to superimpose a metal mesh on the shadow box area and showcase the aesthetics of the blocks. Moreover, the team of architects at Rolfe Judd had very precise specialty glazing requirements for the buildings. “We discussed product aesthetics, construction and design considerations. The architect had a specific idea in mind regarding the kind of colour finish they required and Future Glass was able to provide the perfect gold and silver tones that were needed.”- Mr Alain Anthony, Design Director, Yuanda EuropeThe Future Glass SolutionThe search for the perfect glass led us across countries and continents. After an exhaustive search, the silver mesh was procured from Germany while the gold mesh was procured from Italy. Since the glass panels required were of a very large size, an innovative solution was sought by which panels of a maximum size of 1,500 mm x 4,000 mm were created with the metal mesh suspended in the cavity of the IGU. To put concerns about mesh sagging and distortion to rest, a sample panel was provided to the client. For energy efficiency, Climaguard Premium 2T, a high performance Low-E coated glass was procured from Guardian Glass in Europe. The glass itself is made up of a combination of products. The outer-lite is a clear ecoLAM (HS) of 10.76 mm. The expanded metal mesh infill is within a 24 mm black spacer with argon gas. Finally,  the inner lite is a 6 mm clear ecoFACADE (HS). Despite the complicated product combination, the performance specifications were designed to meet the client’s requirements perfectly. A total of about 4,100 square metres of finished insulated glass units with expanded metal mesh were provided for the Harbour Central project.The Future Glass AdvantageAt Future Glass’ state-of-the-art facility in UAE, a dedicated workforce was tasked with ensuring the high-specialty glass was treated in a sterile environment where temperature and humidity could be controlled. Each glass panel is handmade and pieced together under the supervision of qualified engineers. The finished glass panels were placed in IPPC-certified wooden crates for transport. As per local requirements, each piece was individually banded and then shipped to Yuanda’s Shenyani factory. From there, the panels were carefully assembled into a framing system that was delivered to the site in London. Despite the fact that the materials were sourced from various countries, the logistics and operations team took every precaution necessary to ensure zero breakages during the delivery process. In case panels needed to be replaced, we did what was necessary without impacting the timelines, even though it was difficult to procure smaller quantities of mesh from the supplier.

Project DescriptionOne of the most awe-inspiring pavilions at the Expo 2020, was the Korean Pavilion embodying the theme “Smart Korea, Moving the World Forward.” It was the fifth-largest exhibit at the Expo, and the entire pavilion was shaped like an octagon. The unique pyramid structure ensured enough light entered the pavilion, while the north façade had rotating cubes that displayed myriad images and colours. To truly revel in the beauty of the pavilion, visitors could walk through the spiral aisles to admire the exhibits inside while still catching glimpses of the extraordinary view.About the ClientEstablished in 1962, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) helps expand small and medium local businesses in overseas markets. They also work to attract foreign investment and develop international trade relations. KOTRA is known for spearheading innovative businesses and successfully building mutually beneficial partnerships. They sustain their growth through 127 offices worldwide, with over 15 offices in West Asia, including one in Dubai Media City.The BriefThe client wanted to truly showcase Korea’s forward-thinking vision. They designed a unique façade for the pavilion, with a steep slope on the south to let in adequate light and warmth. On the opposite side, a rotating cube protrudes from the basic slope, creating a dynamic façade that changes with

Scope of WorkProcess, deliver and install façade cone glazing for the dome.Build Up12mm FT HST Sunguard Neutral 50 + 16mm Black Warm Edge spacer + 88.4 Clear HSProject DetailsCaspian Waterfront is the reimagined building of the original government congress centre. In 2016, local developer Pasha Construction started transforming the building into a 120,000 sq. m. retail entertainment and leisure complex. Located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, the structure opens onto the waterfront on three sides.The retail centre’s unique structure posed a challenge. The building complex has geometric shapes similar to the Sydney Opera House, with shell roofs that reflect the surrounding water. The central flame tower has an eight-angled glass façade inspired by the country’s emblem, the eight-pointed star. Since the building would resemble a place of pride, we had to ensure that our panels surpassed every quality level. Due to the unique triangular shape of the glass panels extra care had to be taken during production, delivery and installation to prevent injury, breakage and damage.At Future Glass, we always prioritise quality. Our state-of-the-art processing facility enabled us to deliver the panels on time with minimal on-site rejections. Today, Caspian Waterfront has become a national symbol of Azerbaijan.

Steel has been used in North American construction projects for more than 150 years and still remains one of the strongest, most durable and economical building materials available today. Although steel has been traditionally associated with high-rise buildings, bridge structures and commercial and industrial projects, it is rapidly emerging as the logical material of choice for residential construction. Cold formed sheet steel panels are lightweight, economical, easy to handle and represent a high quality alternative to traditional roofing materials. Environmental and economic considerations have prompted many residential homeowners to investigate alternative building materials and methods, and steel roofing panels have proven technical benefits as well as excellent recycling capabilities which make them an increasingly popular choice. This follows the long-time use of steel roofing in commercial construction where steel has built undisputable quality and performance records. 

Scope of WorkProcess and deliver double-glazed triangle-shaped units with a dotted frit ceramic design with 50% coverage providing shading to the internal areas. The mall's skylight required 6,000 individual units in multiple configurations with a total area of ….m2Build Up39.52 mm ecoTHERM (IGU) consisting of ecoSHIELD (T) 10 mm COOL-LITE SKN 144, 16 mm spacer, ecoSHIELD (T) 6 mm clear (Guardian), 1.52 mm clear PVB (Trosifol), ecoSHIELD (T) 6 mm clear (Guardian), U-insert (Silicon Dow Corning – 3362)Triangle Glass – 29.52 mm ecoTHERM (IGU + LAMI) consisting of ecoSHIELD (T) 6 mm COOL-LITE SKN 144, 12 mm spacer, ecoSHIELD (T) 5 mm clear, 1.52 mm clear PVB (Trosifol), ecoSHIELD (T) 5 mm clear, U-insert (Silicon Dow Corning – C-3362)Project DetailsThe Lulu Group, known predominantly for its hypermarkets spread across Dubai, decided to create a mall in the heart of the Silicon Oasis Smart City. Silicon Central was designed with sustainability at the forefront, populated by plants, water and natural light.Given Dubai’s harsh summers, we had to ensure the skylight allowed light to pass while filtering heat and minimising glare to ensure shoppers had a comfortable experience. Only 50% of the skylight is transparent, while the rest is opaque. We achieved the shading effect by using dotted ceramic frit in the panels. The main atrium skylight comprised triangle-shaped panels, which complicated the processing due to sharp corners. To ensure the delivery of all 6,000 panels seamlessly, we set up a multi-glass management system to easily track and handle the different glass sizes and codes.The skylight was installed successfully, and Silicon Central has become an integral part of the sustainable Silicon Oasis neighbourhood.

When the Cincinnati Art Museum embarked on an $11 million renovation, the architects wanted the entrance and main stair to be as inviting as possible. Transparent, fire rated glazing from SAFTI FIRST® was a key component of the design solution. To maximize the vision area in door itself, SuperLite® II-XL 60 in GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise full-lite doors. In some of the stairwell doors in less prominent locations, SAFTI FIRST® provided SuperLite® X-90 for the vision panels under 100 sq. inches.

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago features an incredible, 4-story mural by local artist Eulojio Ortega. The mural, brilliant for conveying the story as visitors go from floor to floor, is interestingly located in an exit stairwell. Traditionally, stairwells are enclosed in opaque walls, leaving them dark, isolated, and rarely utilized unless in an emergency. To allow the mural to be visible through multiple floors, encourage stair usage and meet fire rated code requirements, the architects redesigned the 2- hour stairwell using transparent, floor-to-ceiling butt-glazed glass walls with the largest tested and listed fire resistive glass panels available.

Executive Summary The aim of this fact sheet is to advocate an alternative solution for the Steel Industry in regards to restrictive code provisions for explosion venting that are now mandated by the Ontario Fire Code (OFC). Due to a September 2000 amendment of code provisions dealing with explosion venting in the OFC, explosion vent designs were required to be in conformance with NFPA 68, the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Guide for Venting of Deflagrations. NFPA 68 gives a prescriptive solution that has upper bound limits on size and mass of an explosion vent panel, which the Steel Industry finds are too small to be practical. The Canadian Steel Construction Council (CSCC) investigated this problem and identified an alternate design guideline from the Factory Mutual Insurance Company’s (FM) Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets, numbered 1-44 and entitled “Damage Limiting Construction”. FM’s 1-44 Data Sheets can be used to develop an alternate solution for explosion venting that exceed the size and mass limits of the NFPA 68 prescriptive solution, and can be submitted for approval under the Compliance Equivalency provisions in the OFC. With the introduction of an objective based National Building Code Canada (NBCC) in 2005 followed by Provincial code adoptions in 2006 it would be worthwhile to establish a precedent through the Compliance Equivalency provision in the OFC. Once a precedent setting case occurs, the “acceptable solution” or “compliance alternative” would go on record and aid in resolving subsequent proposals for Compliance Equivalency, and also support a future technical change in the OFC. The CSCC by way of this fact sheet would advocate this alternative solution for the Steel Industry when designing explosion vent panels in steel framed buildings.

Architects and Specification Writers are increasingly selecting unpainted metallic coated steels for architectural roofing and cladding applications on building exteriors where they want a “Silver” metallic finish. This is occurring more frequently, and even on “prestige” type projects. The Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute whose fabricator members manufacture a wide variety of building panel profiles for roofing and cladding applications, are being asked to supply unpainted (natural finish) galvanized or resin coated 55% Aluminum-Zinc coated steel for these architecturally exposed end uses. Oftentimes, these materials are specified because the designer finds the natural finish of these products very appealing and sometimes because of material cost savings opportunities. This Fact Sheet has been developed to provide guidance in material selection and provide information on the Architectural Metallic Finishes that are available for highly visible steep slope roofing and cladding applications. 

1.  About the ProjectOne of the most prestigious national pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai, The German Pavilion, represented the Federal Republic of Germany's commitment to innovation and sustainability. Designed by renowned Berlin-based LAVA Architects, this 4,600 m² architectural showcase demonstrated Germany's leadership in environmental technology and intelligent building solutions through its unique "forest of steel poles" design.Project Specifications:Location: World Expo 2020 Dubai, UAEBuilding Owner: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and EnergyArchitect: LAVA Architects, BerlinFacade Contractor: Future Glazing LLC, UAEMain Contractor: ARGE Deutscher Pavilion EXPO 2020 Dubai GbRInstallation Date: June 2021Exhibition Period: 6 months with over 3 million international visitorsTotal Pavilion Area: 4,600 m²FutureX Eclipse™ Intelligent Glazing Area: 113 m²2. The ChallengeFuture Glass was tasked with creating intelligent facade elements that would perform flawlessly in Dubai's extreme desert climate while maintaining perfect environmental control for millions of international visitors. The architects required a building envelope that could respond instantly to rapidly changing conditions including sandstorms, intense solar radiation, and temperatures exceeding 45°C.The project demanded breakthrough glazing technology that could eliminate mechanical shading systems while providing instant environmental adaptation. The design called for individual glass panels to operate independently whilst maintaining overall design coherence across the pavilion's complex geometry. Additionally, the system needed to be maintenance-free, withstand sandstorm conditions, and deliver consistent performance throughout the six-month exhibition period without any mechanical intervention.Given the prestigious nature of this international exhibition space, any failure or performance degradation would have significant reputational impact, making reliability and consistent operation absolutely critical.3. The OutcomeThe FutureX Eclipse™ installation delivered exceptional environmental control, enabling Campus Germany to maintain perfect occupant comfort for international visitors while showcasing German innovation in intelligent building technology. The electropolarization system responded instantly to Dubai's challenging environmental conditions, providing seamless transitions between maximum transparency and sophisticated solar protection in one second or less.The installation demonstrated zero mechanical shading requirements across the entire facade system, with individual 1.5-meter wide rotatable glass elements operating flawlessly throughout the exhibition period. The success of this project established new benchmarks for intelligent glazing performance in extreme climatic conditions and proved that breakthrough electropolarization technology could transform architectural vision into responsive, high-performance building envelopes.The pavilion's environmental control system impressed over 3 million visitors and received international recognition for its innovative integration of intelligent building technology with sophisticated architectural design.4. Products UsedFutureX Eclipse™ Electropolarization Switchable Glass System:Surface Area: 113 m² of intelligent glazing elementsQuantity: 61 individual switching unitsGeometry: Rectangular configurations with rotational capabilityConfiguration: 28 fixed glass panels, 4 standard doors, and 29 intelligent folding door elementsSwitching Speed: ≤1 second response timePerformance: Neutral colour throughout all switching statesTechnology: Eclipse® electropolarization switching layer with controlled electrical field modulationControl System: Individual panel control with building automation integrationEnvironmental Rating: Designed for extreme desert climate operation including sandstorm resistance

Nestled in the heart of a revitalized West London neighborhood, White City Living offers a unique residential experience. Built on a formerly isolated industrial site, the property boasts stunning views of a serene stream winding through elegant lawns and low-hanging trees. The second phase, launched in 2020, introduces 427 affordable homes with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom multi-tenured apartments, featuring expansive open spaces and world-class amenities designed for modern living.About the ClientSt. James, a proud member of the Berkeley Group, is renowned for pioneering urban regeneration across the UK. Known for transforming industrial areas along London's riverside into thriving residential and commercial spaces, St. James leads this project with their visionary approach. Collaborating with SKONTO PLAN and BOYER, they are reimagining this neighborhood into a vibrant hub of activity and tranquility.Our Innovative SolutionTo align with the client’s vision, initial designs considered stick-on stainless steel elements. However, these panels posed challenges, such as frequent maintenance needs and complex installation processes. Our team developed an alternative solution, ensuring durability, ease of maintenance, and seamless integration into the project’s design.

About the ProjectTowering above the Dubai skyline, the Burj Khalifa is symbolic of the city’s emergence as one of the world’s top business and tourist destinations. The magnificent tower houses residences, a hotel and various commercial spaces, but its most popular attractions are the two observation decks located at the 124th and 148th floors. For visitors, the enthralling experience of visiting At The Top starts right from the moment they start to queue up to book their tickets. An extraordinary union of tasteful design, precision engineering and meticulous craftsmanship, the entrance lobby to the observation deck was created to give visitors a small glimpse of the beauty that awaits them a hundred storeys higher.The ChallengeWhile procuring the glass for the lobby to Dubai’s most well-known tourist attraction, we left no stone unturned in sourcing the highest grade materials. The customer had very specific needs regarding the colour of the panels. Achieving the right PVB colour combination was one of the biggest challenges we faced on this project. Further, we had to ensure that the glass used was durable and the coloured films did not fade over time. Working with Seele proved to be both demanding and rewarding. The company, known for developing Apple stores across the world, wanted to inspect every single pane of glass so that it met their high quality requirements. 

OverviewSet in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Ontario Court of Justice is the largest courthouse in Ontario and a benchmark for contemporary institutional construction. Completed in 2024, the project brings together 63 courtrooms and 10 conference settlement rooms in a LEED® Gold certified facility that reflects modern civic values—transparency, accessibility, and sustainability.Master Builders Solutions Canada Inc. played a key role in ensuring the structural concrete met the performance demands of this high-profile project.The ChallengeDelivering nearly 48,000 m³ of ready-mixed concrete in a downtown location posed numerous technical challenges. The structural design demanded high compressive strength, consistent workability, and durability to support complex load paths, security zones, and a tall atrium enclosed by a 20-metre glass façade.The project team required concrete solutions that would:Maintain workability over long pumping distances and vertical placements,Ensure strength development for critical structural zones (such as core walls and transfer slabs),Limit thermal cracking during curing in massive pours,Integrate seamlessly with staged slipform and rebar installation schedules.These demands were intensified by the need to meet LEED® Gold sustainability targets, tight construction timelines, and high public visibility.The ResultsMaster Builders Solutions Canada Inc. partnered closely with St Marys CBM to optimize concrete performance across all phases of construction. A suite of high-performance admixtures—including water reducers, retarders, and strength-enhancing additives—was deployed to address the project’s structural and logistical complexities.Key contributions included:Enhanced workability retention for long-distance pumping and complex placements, reducing placement time and labour.Improved early- and long-term strength development, enabling faster formwork cycling and reliable performance in high-load areas.Mitigated thermal buildup in mass pours to control cracking and ensure durability over the structure’s lifecycle.Admixture compatibility with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), aligning with the project’s environmental goals.By tailoring admixture solutions to the precise performance needs of each mix design, Master Builders Solutions supported consistent quality and efficiency throughout the build.The Ontario Court of Justice now stands not only as a civic institution but also as a demonstration of what is possible when modern structural design and advanced concrete technology are brought together. The project exemplifies how Master Builders Solutions helps construction teams deliver on performance, sustainability, and long-term value.