Getty Center Earns LEED Silver without Modifying Existing Curtainwall

The J. Paul Getty Center and Museum recently earned Silver level recertification from the U.S. Green Building Council under its LEED Green Building Rating System for Existing Buildings. Both the recertification and original LEED rating were achieved without any modification to the curtainwall engineered and fabricated by Wausau Window and Wall Systems more than 10 years ago.

Previously, the Center held a Bronze level certification and was the first facility in the country to earn LEED-EB certification. The $733-million museum complex in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles comprises six, interconnected, low-rise buildings housing a million-volume library, reading rooms, study carrels, exhibition space and offices, welcoming nearly 1.4 million visitors per year.

Designed by architect Richard Meier, the Getty Center's six buildings are positioned around an open plaza area where visitors arrive via tram from the reception and parking facility located further down the mountain. Managed as a design-build project, Wausau Window and Wall Systems engineered, fabricated and delivered 120,000-square-feet of windows and curtainwall plus more than 45,000 painted aluminum panels.

Contributing to its LEED designation, the Getty Center was constructed to maximize daylighting and ventilation throughout the interior. Strengthening this initiative, Wausau's glazing system accommodates the benefits of natural light, while controlling unwanted heat gain and helping to reduce cooling costs. The Getty reports a 10 percent reduction in energy use since 2001.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Not receiving your own FREE copy of the Architects' Guide to Glass and Metal e-newsletter?
CLICK HERE to subscribe today.

Not receiving your own FREE copy of the Architects' Guide to Glass and Metal magazine?
CLICK HERE to subscribe to Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal magazine.