This project for a confidential client showcases how two advanced operable wall systems can work together to create a flexible, high-performance space. Partnering with ASD Architecture and Clune Construction, MFC installed a horizontal glass Acousti-Clear system with MorphGlas technology alongside a vertical Skyfold Zenith Premium 55, delivering seamless integration, on-demand visual privacy and exceptional sound control.

Transcript:

Hi all, Ryan Watson here, Modernfold Chicago. Today we’re talking about a confidential client located at 155 North Wacker in Chicago. The design firm was ASD Architecture and general contractor was Clune Construction.

We had two really unique operable wall systems that applied in this space and they both happened to work together. One is a Modernfold horizontal folding manually operated glass system called Acousti-Clear. The Acousti-Clear system has motorized seals top and bottom and has a really cool feature called MorphGlas. So what MorphGlas does is it allows us to have a clear glass system when we would like and then when we apply a low voltage power that glass becomes opaque so we can have both visual privacy as well as acoustics. The acoustics at 45 STC will remain whether the glass is opaque or clear. You’ll always have that sound control, but the cool feature is being allowed or having the ability to have that visual privacy at an instant when you would like and just simply turning a key. Having the entire wall go opaque or turn the key with the power off and then having the wall be entirely clear glass.

So we do have a panel frame that runs a perimeter of each glass panel. That frame is finished in a black olive RAL colorway 6015. The system is fully top supported with Modernfold’s G330 head track. There is no floor track, no floor threshold. And then this system layout wise, we have one section that’s roughly 19 feet long on one end and then another section that is approximately 15 feet long on the other end. And they come together and meet in the middle.

Where they meet in the middle kind of is a good segue to our next product, the Skyfold system. We have a vertically folding Skyfold wall. It’s a Zenith Premium 55 is the model and STC value. One of the cool things with the Zenith Premium system, it comes equipped with touchscreen controls. So we’ve got a touchscreen control on each side of the operable wall system.

The Skyfold system has a 55 STC for this particular application. And the wall is sized roughly at 30 foot long and 9 foot high as well. With the premium system, you also have some really unique ceiling closure panels. So when the Skyfold wall is in the down position, subdividing the multipurpose space, those ceiling closure panels align with the same ceiling plane as the ceiling and just gives a nice finish aesthetic. When the wall is up, the bottom row of panels flush out with your ceiling. And then when the wall is down, those ceiling closure panels flush out. So you don’t ever have any of that void area visible where the panels are storing. The horizontal ceiling closure panels are finished in Skyfold standard bone white paint. And then the vertical panels are also functional in that they’re finished with Skyfold’s white marker board material. All the seals on the Skyfold wall are white. And then fun fact is there is no steel used for the Skyfold system as far as structural support goes. The structural engineer viewed the deck above and deemed that it was adequate to support the weight of the Skyfold system. So all the Skyfold hardware as well as its motor are anchored directly to the floor slab above, maximizing our ceiling soffit height and then also saving some costs in the fact that steel was not required for the application.

Being that the Skyfold does interface with the Modernfold wall here, we’re able to do that with some operable end seals on the Skyfold wall. While the Skyfold is in process going up or down, those end seals are retracted, giving us some operational clearance. When the Skyfold comes down towards the floor, the lower limit is triggered. That sends the end seals expanding out. And then they make a soft closure at the face of the Modernfold glass panels. And then just gives us a great acoustic seal around the entire perimeter of the space, all the floor, the walls, and the head condition as well.

So if you guys have any questions or you’d like some design assistance, please reach out to us, Modernfold Chicago, modernfoldchicago.com or reach out at 630-653-8800. Thanks again. Have a great day.