Portland Glass partnered with a general contractor on a fast-tracked summer renovation at a public school in Epping, NH. The project focused on replacing aging translucent window wall systems with a modern curtain wall assembly that improved energy performance while maintaining the building’s original architectural appearance.
- Scope: Curtain wall and translucent panel replacement
- Customer: General Contractor / Public School
- Timeline: January 2025 – August 2025
The Challenge
The existing translucent panel systems were at end of life and required full replacement during the limited summer shutdown window between school years. The GC needed a solution that could be designed, fabricated, and installed quickly — without altering the visual character of the portions of façade remaining in place.
Key constraints included:
- Fixed completion deadline before Fall 2025 school opening
- Tight demolition-to-install window (June–August)
- No exploratory investigation allowed prior to bid
- Long lead times on the original legacy system
- Requirement to visually match adjacent, non-replaced façades
Once demolition began, an additional complication emerged: the original system depth differed from current curtain wall standards, requiring coordination of new setback conditions with the GC.
Our Solution
To meet schedule and performance requirements, Portland Glass engineered a curtain wall replacement package centered on readily available, high-performance components:
- Kawneer 1620UT Curtain Wall
- Kingspan Translucent Panels
- Kawneer 1600 Series Vents
This approach enabled shorter lead times, controlled fabrication sequencing, and improved thermal performance compared to the original translucent wall system.
A key success factor was early field verification. Our team coordinated access during spring break to capture field dimensions before school dismissal. This allowed shop drawings, fabrication documents, and glass procurement to advance ahead of the summer construction window — ensuring materials were on site when demolition began.
Execution
Installation proceeded immediately after school closed for summer. Despite the compressed schedule and renovation conditions, sequencing remained on track. Coordination with the GC resolved the depth transition between new and existing façade zones without impacting progress.
The project team completed demolition and installation within the planned summer window, with only minor incidental damage from unrelated landscaping activity.
Results
The upgraded façade delivered improved energy performance and restored visual consistency across the building. Most importantly, the work was completed before students returned for the 2025–2026 school year.
- School reopened on schedule
- Energy consultant inspections passed
- Minimal disruption to classrooms
- Architectural intent preserved
- Client satisfied with quality and schedule adherence
Why This Project Matters
This project demonstrates Portland Glass’s ability to execute complex envelope renovations within strict academic calendars. By combining product expertise, early field verification, and regional fabrication planning, we helped the project team meet both design and schedule objectives on a constrained public-sector timeline.
Capabilities highlighted:
- Summer-window school renovations
- Curtain wall system selection and integration
- Translucent panel façade replacement
- Renovation coordination with legacy systems
- Schedule-driven fabrication planning
