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Projects
LITE’s Glass Globe Shines in Louisiana
Designed by Architects Beazley Moliere, Louisiana Immersive Technologies
Enterprise (LITE) is a $27 million, 70,000-square-foot facility located
at the Research Park of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. LITE
was conceived as an economic development initiative to enhance the development
of visualization technologies and high-performance, 3-D computer modeling.
Charles Beazley with Architects Beazley Moliere explains that because
of the structure of the visualization cube, the globe had to have an unusual
shape.
“We used glass because [of its translucency] and we also put LED lights
behind it to provide illumination,” says Beazley. “The LED lights are
programmed to change over time to light and glow and provide a way to
call attention and illumination to the building.”
The glass and aluminum globe was manufactured by Super Sky Products Inc.
of Mequon, Wis. Created as a custom skylight and installed by J.B. Mouton
Builders, the structure rises 59-feet and reaches 47-feet at its widest
diameter. Linetec finished the skylight’s aluminum framing in clear anodize.
The glass area spans 7,815-square-feet and is comprised of clear, laminated,
heat-strengthened lites featuring two, “cool white,” PVB interlayers.
Fabricated by Prelco Inc.
“It was a fun, exciting project to work on. While we’ve been in business
since 1915, we never had the opportunity to contribute such a unique feature
to a building,” says Robert Billeaud, president and owner of glazing contractor
J.B. Mouton Inc. in Lafayette, La. “More than a skylight, it involved
the full building envelope. It required precision and teamwork. Our team,
the architects and the engineers worked excellently together toward a
common goal.”
Billeaud adds that the job was a 15-month project.
“Now that it’s completed, I drive by it almost every day as it’s just
four blocks from our office. The project has captured a lot of excitement
amongst the community. I believe it will serve as an architectural icon
for a long time to come.
Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.
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