Key principle: structural performance

Canton Crossing is a 65-acre, waterfront revitalization project in Baltimore, Maryland, tagged with the theme "The City within a City" as it plays host to everything from water taxis to upscale shopping to fine dining. As the centerpiece, the 17-story Canton Tower (now called the 1st Mariner Bank Tower) had numerous design requirements-including efficiency and comfort. To accomplish the task of improving structural performance, the YKK AP America Inc. series YCW 750 IG inside-glazed curtain wall system was employed, along with high-end insulating glass units from J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. To boost the condensation resistance and insulating value of the insulating glass units, J.E. Berkowitz, L.P. focused on improving the air space. The design of the building posed some critical issues that narrowed the warm-edge spacer options available. Decorative curved windows meant that the spacer must be bendable, and large expanses of glass required an air spacer with increased structural properties for fabrication. Warm-Light^® by Azon warm-edge spacer was chosen because it is bendable using standard equipment and will maintain deflection and compression properties greater than standard aluminum spacer. With the centerpiece now complete, Canton Crossing can truly boast, "There will be no reason to leave."