Metal Doors Open Clay-Chalkville High School

PINSON, Alabama--August 17, 1999

Clay-Chalkville High School was the first high school in the Jefferson County (Alabama) School System that was not built to replace an existing facility. The Mobile, Alabama architectural firm of David Volkert & Associates, Inc. designed it as an imaginative, single-level steel structure with 53 classrooms, four computer labs, four science labs, a choral room, media center, fine arts room, food court, practice and spectator gymnasiums, and 650-seat auditorium. Incorporated throughout the 179,000 sq. ft. facility, in keeping with the construction of the building itself, are steel doors and frames that combine an element of durability with beauty. A curved window wall constructed from Steelcraft's pre-engineered Architectural Stick System serves as a focal point to merge the school's impressive Media Center with its outdoor environment.

New School Reflects Area Growth

Clay-Chalkville High School, which opened it's doors two years ago, was built to relieve overcrowding at nearby Hewitt-Trussville High School. It accommodates incoming students from Clay and Chalkville elementary schools, through the adjacent Clay-Chalkville Middle School. Located in a growing area just north of Birmingham, the $15 million school is one of 17 high schools in the Jefferson County School System, which is the second-largest of 127 school systems in the state. It serves a student body of more than 1400, in grades 9 to 12, with a faculty and staff of over 115 people.

Opening the Doors

When the school's doors first opened for the 1996-1997 school year, they were poised to maintain their beauty for many years. Steel door and frame construction throughout high-traffic areas complements the school's architecture while providing superior durability. Starting with the entrance, Steelcraft Type A stile and rail doors were used. In common high-traffic areas such as the media center, cafeteria, and offices, the same types of doors combine visibility with strength.

Window Walls Combine Design with Durability

Two interesting applications illustrate how Steelcraft's Architectural Stick System meets differing needs effectively. In the 9800 sq. ft. media center, an exterior window wall was constructed using the pre-engineered system to blend the school's interior and exterior areas.

The curved unit was assembled by hardware distributor John Wright & Associates, of the Birmingham suburb of Hoover. The Wright firm, founded in 1949, specializes in hollow metal and wood doors and finish hardware, both in the Southeast and much of the U.S. Components of the stick system were manufactured by Steelcraft and shipped knocked-down to the Wright firm's facility, where they were welded or clipped together as required to make major sub-assemblies. Final assembly, including welding of subassemblies furnished by Wright, was done at the site by general contractor Bill Harbert Construction Co., of Birmingham. Assembling the window wall locally netted significant freight savings and simplified handling, both during shipment and at the site.

The wall between the administrative offices and the hallway made use of the stick system in another way. As the focal point of school operations, with the constant traffic of visitors, the office needed good two-way visibility. From the inside, it provides an easy overview of student traffic and activity. From the outside, it showcases the heart of the school's functions. Here, in order to achieve a 20-minute fire rating, the area was broken into smaller expanses, and wire-reinforced glass was used throughout. A similar arrangement was used for the cafeteria entrance.

The component nature of the stick system offered versatility in structural and aesthetic design, including the curved Media Center wall. It also provided the strength needed for durability in a school environment. All standard closed- section sticks include a full-length 16-gage welded reinforcement. A unique mullion design also incorporates a full-length 16-gage reinforcing channel, which eliminates the need for a structural backup system.

Combining style with strength, the interior and exterior window walls showcase the variety of applications that are easily achieved using the stick system approach. When paired with steel and glass doors, the result is a natural openness that also delivers durability.