Check out this project where Ryan Watson highlights a successful update for a Skyfold Classic wall for a confidential client in Lake Forest, Illinois. Originally installed in 2007, the Skyfold Classic wall was updated in 2024 with new panels, upgraded seals and modern control components which offered a refreshed look and enhanced functionality without replacing the whole system. This video showcases how long-term investment in an operable wall system can be preserved and modernized to meet evolving tenant needs.

Transcript:

Hi, I’m Ryan Watson with Modernfold Chicago. We have a confidential client located in Lake Forest, Illinois, who originally had a Skyfold Classic wall installed just under 30 feet wide and 9 feet high. It was installed in third quarter of 2007.  The general contractor was Walsh Construction and the design architect was Wright Harima Architects out of Chicago.

The project consisted of a 51 STC vertically folding Skyfold wall, was finished with an RJF Sahara vinyl wall covering fast forward about 18 years and a new tenant moved into the space, new architect, new general contractor. The architects and client were also familiar with Skyfold from previous projects and were really excited to find that they’ve kind of been gifted a wall, so to speak. So with that said, knowing the value they had of the existing wall, we wound up being able to retrofit some new panels into the space to give it that new fresh aesthetic for the new interior renovation for the new client. So this happened first quarter of 2024.

The general contractor was Urban Innovations and the architect was Partners by Design. The new finish that was applied to the wall was Carnegie’s Xorel Twine, color number 33. So the wall didn’t change in size at all. We’ve essentially just provided some new panels, upgraded some end seals, and then upgraded some internal components with the control box, some software upgrades.

So as far as the process of doing kind of a refresh with a wall, whether it’s from an existing client to a new client or an existing client that’s maintaining the space and just looking to update their space. There’s a couple of different ways that we can go about it. This particular way, we went back, researched the original installation, looked at the size and type of wall that it was. And then with that worked with Skyfold, the manufacturer to see what kind of software changes or upgrades had occurred over that almost two decade period, realizing that there were some changes with the electronics to the control box and the end seal motors. We were able to connect our laptop with some software and then the USB cable to the control box and simply updated some of the software that way. One of the easier things was to install the new panels to all the existing sub structure because none of that had to change all the pantographs, the, the motor, the cabling hardware, all that was able to remain. So it was more a pretty simple retrofit in that regard, while we were able to upgrade the end seals. We also upgraded the key stations for them. The aesthetic of those from, you know from roughly 18 years ago had changed over time, so we got some new control stations for them as well. So this again was a confidential client based in Lake Forest, Illinois. If we can be of further assistance on any projects, whether it’s design, installation, or service, please give us a call at 630-653-8800 or check us out on the web at modernfoldchicago.com. Thanks again, have a great day.