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Warehouse-to-Office Retrofit

Project challenges firm to create a modern office space all while respecting the character of the existing architecture.

Retrofit_01 — Photo courtesy of Kickstand Photography.

Retrofit_02 — Photo courtesy of Kickstand Photography.

Retrofit_03 — Photo courtesy of Kickstand Photography.

Retrofit_04 — Photo courtesy of Kickstand Photography.

Lambert Architecture + Construction Services in Columbia, S.C. set out to renovate a 1930s-era cigar and candy store and adjacent warehouse into office space.

The firm sought to create a modern office space—bright, open, comfortable and energy-efficient—all while respecting the character of the existing architecture.

“We wanted glass that would showcase the building’s historic features while creating a modern office space that is comfortable and full of natural light,” explains Architect Josh Boltinhouse, AIA, LEED AP.

Project

“Guardian SunGuard SNX 51/23 glass delivered, with exceptional energy performance and clarity—and without added tint or reflectivity that might distract from our design,” Boltinhouse says.

“I was considering a known glass product with high efficiency and light transmission,” he remembers. “When my Guardian representative recommended SNX 51/23, then a new SunGuard glass that matched those performance points—with the added benefit of very low reflectance. Rather than creating a monolithic look, we wanted to see right into the space and show off its historical character.”

Boltinhouse called the difference in reflectance “eye-opening,” and specified SunGuard SNX 51/23 glass for an iconic stair tower visible from the street, all existing window locations, and new expanses of glass that overlook the city and nearby Congaree River.

The glass creates a contemporary feel that sets off structural elements of the legacy buildings, including red brick walls and white stucco surfaces. Natural light permeates deep within the space, while solar heat gain is managed to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. Reduced HVAC loads enabled the team to select a more discreet mechanical system to enhance the building’s aesthetic.

Fabricated by independent Guardian Select fabricator Aldora Aluminum and Glass Products and installed by independent Glazier Connection member Ace Glass Company, SunGuard SNX 51/23 glass brings a visible light transmission of 51 percent and a low solar heat gain coefficient of 0.23.

Guardian Architectural Design Manager Alan Kinder says, “Lambert’s 522 Lady Street project is an impressive blend of old and new, and it shows how glass can modernize existing architecture.”

When the firm outgrew its former space across the river, the choice was clear. Today, the team of architects and designers work at 522 Lady Street.

“The people who work here love this space,” Boltinhouse says of the results. “It’s beautiful and comfortable in all seasons, and it represents the work of Lambert Architecture + Construction Services really well.”