New York University Langone’s Science Building, located at 30th Street and the FDR Service Road in Manhattan, is a prominent new centerpiece of the research and education campus. With 10 floors of laboratory space dedicated to research, including wet laboratory space, core facilities, a new vivarium, conference spaces, and public amenities, the building provides an expansive, integrated environment. 

Working with Ennead Architects, Heintges devised a unitized curtain wall system with specialty glass sunshades at the south and east elevation vision zones, adding depth and character to the building. To create the long-spanning sunshades desired by the architect, double-wide glazed units were installed (10’6” as opposed to typical 5-foot unitized modules). Elsewhere, the enclosure system includes precast panels with ribbon windows and a metal panel rain screen. 

In order to protect the glass sunshades and conceal the window-washing track, Heintges moved it outboard, embedding it in the outriggers that hold the sunshades. The sunshade features a double pass dot frit to help reduce glare but enables views out. In combination with the fritted sunshades Heintges used a tinted substrate for the insulated glass units, which has a subtle grey color—this helps reduce glare in the interior, south-facing lab spaces. Carefully sized glazing allows for a consistent coating from vision to spandrel areas, but provides the thickness required to meet wind load demands on the oversized unit. 

Heintges provided curtain wall and building envelope consulting services during all phases of design and construction.