We are in the process of completing a skylight on the CU Campus in Boulder, CO. The skylight covers the entrance/exit ramp to the underground parking structure. The skylight provides light but blocks the majority of harsh weather on the sloped drive. The skylight is manufactured by CPI and is a white polycarbonate.

The general contractor is Saunders Construction.

We often get called on by insurance companies and national contractors to help them solve glass problems that their residential clients have issues with. An example is a six-figure project that we are doing in Evergreen, CO.

The client had three problems; a cluster skylight that sat down inside three parapet walls and drained in the reverse direction from the slope of the roof. Yeah, I know, doesn't sound right, and it isn't. That's why we redesigned it to slope in the other direction and to install glass with butt joints. This then drains onto an atrium area that originally had an aluminum greenhouse like structure that didn't match the house design. We changed the design to wood glu-lam beams with electric venting skylights (VSE's) The third problem was vertical glass that went from the ground to 30' in the air. All the vertical glass is being redesigned from inset glass (with ugly stops, etc.) to surface mounted glass. And, instead of all wood on the exterior it will be all aluminum. Additionally, the vertical posts were 8" wide, now they will be 3" wide. Much more cleaner look with low maintenance which will enrich the value of the home by far. 

I'll add some before and after pictures to this and others posts when the job is complete.

Currently in Colorado and Wyoming we have seen a drastic reduction in the construction industry over the last year. The number of General Contractors bidding on the same project has increased, meaning fewer jobs to bid on. Everyone and anyone can turn on the news, radio or cruise the net to see the doom and gloom of this economy.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Daylighting is the key to supporting the new economy. I’m speaking of the renewable energy economy. As architects and design builders design daylighting into their buildings, they do this for various reasons. First is to bring in the greatest and best light source, the sun. Next, to gain two thirds of the points required for LEED certifications.

Having said that, we in the daylighting industry have seen time and time again that skylights or daylighting systems are being engineered out of the project because of cost, even though there is scientific data showing the increased production of employees when exposed to natural daylighting in the work place. Students show an increased attendance when natural daylighting is utilized in schools. The great design architects of the past identified the use of light and harnessing the light to bring value, design and functionality to the building they designed. Now, finally we as a society are trying to catch up to their forward reaching though process.

Skylight Specialists, Inc. is your daylighting expert in your design phase projects.