FEATURE
fenestration
tions exceed the rated/code requirements for water penetration.” While improvements have been made to reduce water intrusion from wind-driven rain, it is prudent to get back into each building quickly after the storm to dry out the interior. Danger from rising water due to storm surge or flooding, an issue separate from wind-driven rain, can also be difficult to prevent. Rising water is best controlled by elevating functional areas above predicted flood and wave-action levels or by building outside the floodplain. Existing buildings located inside or below the floodplain pose a dual challenge, especially in areas prone to flash flooding. ENTRANCE DESIGN IS CRUCIAL
Commercial entrances are particularly vulnerable to water intrusion. Typically, commercial entrances must meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Emergency Egress requirements, which ensure that there is an unobstructed entry/exit path to a structure. However, commercial entrances are exempt from water-test requirements, which can be problematic when dealing with severe-weather conditions. While a building may have been built to meet and even exceed strong hurricanes, such as Harvey and Irma, if the entrance is not taken into consideration in the project design and execution, water intrusion may still occur. One way to better protect commercial entrances from water intrusion is to consider installing a roof or entrance overhang. Overhangs are well known for their energy-saving properties, as they effectively reduce solar-heat gain by providing additional shade. They can also keep wind-driven rain from entering entrances, windows, and the foundation of the building envelope, reducing overall water pressure. The Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Dayto-
wind gusts, the building resisted flooding and damage.
Hurricane Irma taught us is it’s a wise consideration to
na Beach, FL, is a great example of this. The museum
Even overhangs may not be enough to prevent water
keep in mind. When the Papp family sought refuge at the
opened to the public in 2015 and serves as a sanctuary for
intrusion from severe wind-driven rain during a hurri-
Hyatt House, what they didn’t know, but quickly came
local residents and a destination for visitors interested in
cane. Another consideration when designing a building
to appreciate, was that, in addition to the impact-resis-
exploring Florida history. RLF Architects, Orlando, FL
entrance is to use hard-surface floors and properly equip
tant requirements of the building, stringent acoustical
(rlfarchitects.com), designed the building, which was
the interior of the entrance with strategically placed
requirements were considered in its design.
built to resemble an old, rural Florida home and reflect
drains. Ideally this type of drainage will be coupled with
While Hyatt House is in a vulnerable location due to
the rich history of the artwork housed there.
an entrance awning or overhang for maximum
its proximity to the coast, it is also in a noisy location, at
protection.
the end of the Naples Airport runway. YKK AP designers
Hurricane-resistance was a key component in the design process and impact-resistant products were used
In more-extreme situations, rising water from flash
worked closely with glazing contractor Mullet’s Alumi-
throughout the building. The YHS 50 TU impact-
flooding or water pooling in low-lying areas is a life-safety
num Products Inc., Sarasota, FL (mulletsaluminum.com)
resistant storefront, YHC 300 OG impact-resistant cur-
concern for entrances and the surrounding fenestration.
to ensure products were developed and installed to deliv-
tain wall, and Model 35 H impact-resistant entrances,
The rate-of-rise of floodwaters for an at-risk site needs to
er the highest sound performance possible. Thermally
manufactured by YKK AP America Inc., were used on
be determined and paired with adequate warning time to
broken, impact-resistant fixed windows and thermally
the building. An overhang was also integrated to add to
allow evacuation. Specialty flood doors may be used to
broken architectural terrace doors were used on the
the character of the building and provide additional pro-
hold back rising waters and keep the path of egress open
building’s facade to provide impact resistance.
tection from wind-driven rain.
for the required warning period.
Both products were then sealed with an interior secondary access-panel window system to enhance thermal,
When Hurricane Irma hit in 2017, the museum served as a shelter for staff members who needed to stay on the
ACOUSTICS
sound, and privacy performance. As Scott Papp watched
property and those who weren’t able to leave town. De-
Sound may not be the first thing to come to mind when
Hurricane Irma roll in from his hotel room at Hyatt
spite nearly 7 in. of rain, combined with 60-to-80-mph
thinking of a hurricane-resistant building, but one lesson
House Naples, he recalled, “We could see the storm rag-
20
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
MAY 2018
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
