Steel-Framed Curtain Walls: Engineering Marvel at Oklahoma’s Eco-Friendly Bank

The First United Bank has recently opened a new, state-of-the-art building in Moore, Oklahoma, designed by the renowned global architecture firm Gensler. This new facility not only aims to serve the community but also sets a new benchmark in sustainable engineering and timeless architecture. Here’s a closer look at how the design and construction of this building reflect First United Bank’s core values and commitment to sustainability.

The Marvel of Steel-Framed Curtain Walls

Central to the building’s design is the use of a steel-framed structural silicone glazing (SSG) system, which wraps around the façade, spanning over 12,000 square feet across three floors. This system is notable for its:

• Uninterrupted Sightlines: The SSG system is held to the steel frame by toggles, allowing for expansive views and fostering community engagement.
• Durability and Aesthetics: The high-performance structural silicone glazing ensures the building maintains its aesthetic appeal over time.

The Engineering Behind the Curtain Wall

Steel-framed curtain walls are a feat of engineering, offering significant advantages over traditional materials like aluminum. Steel’s inherent stiffness, nearly three times that of aluminum, allows it to support heavier loads and resist deflection more effectively. Noteworthy engineering aspects of the building design are:

• Greater Load-Bearing Capacity: Steel’s Young's modulus is approximately 29 million pounds per square inch (psi), compared to aluminum's 10 million psi. Slender steel profiles enable larger opening sizes without additional support.
• Reduced Deflection: Under the same conditions, a steel mullion experiences about one-third of the deflection of an aluminum mullion, enabling longer spans without intermediate supports.
• The SSG system attaches glass lites to modular carrier frames with structural silicone.
• Combined with continuous gasketing, this system resists air and water penetration.
• This design maximizes natural light and offers panoramic views, enhancing the well-being of occupants. 
• The narrowness of the metal profiles reduces interruptions to sightlines, creating a monolithic façade

The curtain wall system at the First United Bank was made possible through advanced manufacturing techniques, including laser welding of long, flat carbon or stainless steel plates. This process creates composite shapes without the need for field assembly, allowing for precise, custom profiles that arrive on-site ready for installation. These modern methods also eliminate visible welds and markings, contributing to the building’s clean, modern appearance.

A New Standard in Sustainability

Besides the building's marvelous engineering design, it integrates a range of innovative sustainable strategies as well; including:

• Rainwater Harvesting: The building captures and utilizes rainwater, reducing reliance on municipal water sources.
• Deep Roof Overhangs: These provide shading, reducing heat gain and the need for extensive air conditioning.
• Efficient HVAC Design: The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are optimized for energy efficiency.

High-performance insulated glass units (IGU) complement the steel framing, optimizing energy use. Steel’s lower thermal conductivity compared to aluminum further enhances the building’s energy efficiency without the need for traditional thermal breaks.

The new First United Bank building in Moore, Oklahoma, stands as a testament to the power of modern architectural / structural design and engineering. By integrating sustainable practices and innovative materials, the building not only serves the community but also sets a new standard for future developments. Through its design, the building embodies the bank’s values of community engagement, sustainability, and engineering excellence, ensuring it remains a landmark for years to come.