With positive feedback from our previous visits to architecture firms, we’ve had numerous requests from architects who couldn’t make it previously to host more AIA credited lunch and learn units to give architects, who are getting more involved in restoration projects, more insight on the historical window process, especially from the eyes of the window manufacturer. If you are curious about the previous trips, please refer to our AIA learning unit trip in March of 2019 by clicking here. On this trip, Diamond Windows and BR Johnson visited architects in Buffalo, NY.
Similarly from the previous trip was what type of support system do the manufacturers and installers give to architects during the historical approval process that goes through either NPS, Shippo, or Landmarks Commission of respective cities and states, and in some few instances, this has involved all three. This is a very important factor of historical window projects as developers receive tax incentives or grants on both the state and federal level. This gives developers more room to work with in their budget to get a project moving for everyone involved.
To elaborate on the question above, we emphasize to architects is to get the window manufacturer involved early in the process. The earlier the manufacturer or installer is involved, the more support and expertise that they can provide to this project. Our strength lies in being very flexible in terms of product designs as nearly every historical window project has a different type of challenge associated with it, and getting in early increases the likelihood that we can provide a solution for the historical credit approval process. Whether this be mimicking a steel or old wood window from the early 1900s or cutting new dies to match a historical panning shape. This has gone far enough that we have had to design completely new products to meet the architect’s specifications to be able to receive approval from NPS or Shippo. All this is possible if we are contacted early in the process and work through multiple iterations to get to the final design and approved window.
Another concern was about the finishes, the availability of custom colors, and the durability. The most popular color now is black, however, we have been asked to replicate odd colors that no other manufacturer may have touched yet such as carbon paper. That carbon paper match was used in the Beaux Arts project that is still ongoing in Manhattan, NY. As for the durability, we have warranties that range from 5 to 15 years, however, we rarely ever see the warranty being used as even the 5 year warrantied 2603 baked enamel has lasted for more than a decade.
We truly do appreciate the scheduling and effort of everyone involved to make these trips possible. That includes everyone at BR Johnson and the architects at their respective firms. Thank you to all the architectural firms who participated in these AIA learning units and general meetings: Frizlen Group, Sutton Architects, BUffalo Design Collaborative, Clinton Brown Company Architecture, Carmina Wood Morris Architects, Kideney Architects, Preservation Studios, Savarino Companies, Ellicott Development, Gordon Jones Architecture.
If you are an architect around the upstate New York area and are interested in scheduling an AIA learning unit with Diamond Windows and BR Johnson, please do not hesitate to contact Erik Tseng (erik@diamondwindows.com) or Maryanne Cronin (mcronin@brjohnson.com). If you are from other areas in the Northeast or around the US, we are looking forward to creating an opportunity to visit you in the future!
