The Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse was constructed with sustainability in mind. The Rocky Mountain News building which occupied the site, was de-constructed rather than demolished, to allow the majority of the materials to be recycled. Sustainability standards include two ‘green’ roofs, efficient lighting systems, natural ventilation of the atrium, water-use reduction and collection of recyclables. The building offers bicycle storage and easy access to public transportation.
Kawneer business has supplied architectural aluminum products that are integral to the new Lindsay-Flanigan Courthouse in meeting the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements. Kawneer’s 1600 SS Unitwall curtain wall helped the project with maximum daylight goals and several LEED requirements in the Materials & Recourses category. Kawneer also used recycled aluminum billet, which contributed to recycled content requirements. The new, five-storey, 317,000 square feet courthouse is on track for LEED-Gold certification and also won the 2010 American Institute of Architects Denver Honor Award for design excellence.
Architectural firm klipp Architecture Planning Interiors selected Kawneer curtainwall for the East side of the building to represent the transparent nature of justice. The six-storey, folded glass curtain wall that encloses the building’s eastern facade, the building’s main entry, the transparency serves as a metaphor for openness and accountability in the state’s judicial system.
In an attempt to maintain the integrity of the design and the concept of transparency and light, the architect did not want to incorporate a steel support behind the wall, but rather have it appear to float. The complex wall design incorporates several setbacks, folds and slopes.
Working with the architect and Kawneer engineers, Denver-based glazer, Trainor Glass, created a 3D model of the wall to ensure that all components could fit together and be supported. In addition to providing daylighting, Kawneer’s 1600 SS Unitwall incorporates GLASSvents throughout the judges’ chambers that integrated seamlessly with the building’s design.
Denver’s new courthouse is located within the Justice Center Complex in Denver’s historic Civic Center District. With a total of 35 courtrooms, including one special proceedings jury courtroom with spectator seating for 120, the courthouse is designed to house both criminal and juvenile state and county courts.
Kawneer is a part of Alcoa, a US-based producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina.
