The primary goal of this project was to remediate considerable water ingress and air infiltration through the existing curtain wall and parapets of the Hamilton Hangar. The existing envelope was over 20 years old and was failing due to the installation of a system not suitable for a curved curtain wall application, leading to the deterioration of the envelope. Ultimately, a full curtain wall replacement was recommended over an attempt at refurbishment.

KWC, working with envelope specialists Morrison Hershfield, provided detailed and peer-reviewed design and specifications for a new Structural Silicone Glazed (SSG) curtain wall system to replace, and aesthetically match, the previous system. Our work included detailing modifications to the existing parapets and the adjacent Aluminum Composite Panel walls to ensure an air and watertight envelope.

Given the history of the building envelope, KWC is providing enhanced Construction Administration services, which includes robust field testing by Morrison Hershfield, now Stantec, and ensuring proper processes are followed by all parties involved. The curtain wall will be subject to AAMA 501.2 water-tightness testing (Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems) and ASTM E1105 Water and Air Test (Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference) to verify the system’s performance.