PROJECT
exteriors
Art Museum Expansion T Is A Wrap
Thermafiber provides solutions at San Francisco MOMA.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) underwent three years of construction to make it the largest modern and contemporary art museum in America.
he San Francisco Museum of Modern
chosen using Thermafiber FireSpan and Ther-
Art (SFMOMA) reopened in May
mafiber Safing to help achieve outstanding fire
2016 following three years of construc-
protection in compliance with building-code
tion to make it the largest modern and contemporary art museum in America.
Circle 7 on the Reader Service Card.
See more Owens Corning products.
The expansion project team, led by Norwe-
insulation was specified in the open-joint façade to provide energy-saving continuous insulation
ta.com), assembled a multi-disciplinary roster of
with critical fire-resistive characteristics. Ther-
composites companies, architects, and general
mafiber RainBarrier 45, in rainscreen and
contractors to meet ambitious sustainability,
cavity-wall construction applications, further
performance, and design goals.
helped the building breathe without sacrificing
Owens Corning’s (Toledo, OH, owenscorn-
R-value. R-value is critical when managing interi-
ing.com) building science experts joined insula-
or thermal moisture levels needed to protect the
tion contractors Canyon Insulation, Livermore,
art displayed in the galleries.
CA, and Res-Com Insulation, Inc., Hayward,
With the 225,000-sq.-ft. addition, the
CA, and Kreysler & Associates, American Can-
Snøhetta design team strived to create seamless
yon, CA (kreysler.com), custom fabricators, to
integration between the interior and exterior
consult on the project.
spaces of the new and original brick-wrapped
The Owens Corning team focused on Ther-
Mario Botta building. A chief challenge for the
mafiber mineral-wool insulation solutions need-
interior design was addressing the highly sensi-
ed to address fire containment, acoustical and
tive temperature and humidity levels necessary
thermal control, and energy conservation in the
to preserve works of art showcased in the muse-
exterior façade, interior walls, and mechanical
um. Given the additional energy usage typically
HVAC systems. The collaboration led to the use
required to maintain this balance, the team
of four solutions, including the company’s Ther-
needed solutions that would keep the project on
mafiber RainBarrier 45, Thermafiber FireSpan
track to meet the sustainability and ener-
90, Thermafiber Safing, and Thermafiber Vers-
gy-efficient goals for the building and meet the
aBoard 60.
U.S. Green Building LEED Gold standard.
The first step in creating the building enclo-
Working closely with Res-Com Insulation
sure was proving that the proposed fire-resistant
Inc., the Owens Corning team recommended
panels (FRP) could pass the stringent NFPA 285
Thermafiber mineral-wool insulation product
(National Fire Protection Association, Quincy,
solutions to help maximize the building’s
MA, nfpa.org) test requirements. Previously,
efficiency across thermal, acoustical, and me-
FRP cladding had not passed the NFPA 285
chanical systems. Thermafiber VersaBoard 60
standard fire-test method for evaluation of fire
insulation was selected to help optimize acousti-
propagation characteristics of exterior non-load-
cal and thermal control in the exposed and un-
bearing wall assemblies and panels containing
exposed mechanical spaces as well as the pent-
combustible components.
house. Engineered to repel moisture and provide
To address this challenge, custom fabricator
a combination of fire-resistive characteristics,
Kreysler & Associates turned to Canyon Insula-
enhanced acoustical performance, thermal insu-
tion and Owens Corning experts to achieve the
lation, and energy conservation, the multi-pur-
signature facade. Together, the team devised the
pose Thermafiber VersaBoard 60 insulation sat-
ultra-lightweight solution using Thermafiber
isfied each of the strategic interior-design
fire-resistant technology to create the first-ever
priorities set forth.
Fireshield 285 FRP panel system to successfully
To further support interior fire safety, Ther-
pass the NFPA 285 fire test. (Fireshield 285 FRP
mafiber Safing insulation was also cut and in-
panel system is a trademark of Kreysler & Asso-
stalled into the top of the fire-rated wall assem-
ciates.)
blies for mechanical and electrical fire-rated
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
MARCH 2018
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
penetrations.
use of FRP cladding on a multi-story building in
Thanks, in part, to the building-science inno-
North America and brings new flexibility to the
vation incorporated throughout the design, the
future of commercial design for architects,” said
SFMOMA renovation has been widely heralded
William Kreysler, president, Kreysler & Associ-
as an architectural masterpiece that merges form
ates. “We are excited to have pioneered this in-
and function while achieving new standards in
novation in partnership with Owens Corning.”
fire safety, durability, performance, and sustain-
A perimeter fire-containment assembly was 28
Thermafiber RainBarrier 45 mineral-wool
gian firm Snøhetta, Oslo and New York (snohet-
“This breakthrough represents the first major
Want more information? To download the information listed below, visit commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1803owens.
fire requirements.
ability goals. CA
