Originally constructed in 1957, Intermediate School 139 in the Bronx suffered severe water infiltration for many years. In a necessary restoration, Nelligan White designed a face-lift for this historic school building, maximizing its efficiency for the modern era. With a new 24,000 square-foot aluminum and glass curtain wall, the structure now conserves 7,521 gallons of fuel per year.
After performing an extensive analysis to determine how best to achieve long-term energy cost savings, we built a model to replace the failing brick masonry façade and deteriorating single-glazed glass structure with a high-performance aluminum curtain wall and insulated glass system. With the implementation of this character-defining design, we were able to reinvigorate a neighborhood cornerstone.
Further, we incorporated louvered bris-soleil at the south-facing curtain wall to reduce the amount of glazing area exposed to solar radiation, an optimization that greatly improved energy efficiency during summer months. This louver system resulted in a difference of 11.5 kBtu/SF a year and accounts for the conservation of 318,158,310 Btu a year; a savings of 7,521 gallons of fuel.
This project was substantially completed in January 2014.