The Shul of Bal Harbour

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The Shul of Bal Harbour has been a landmark of the Bal Harbour and Surfside communities since 1987, and in recent years has seen exponential growth. Because of this, the owners decided it was time for a renovation, and Al-Farooq Corporation was brought on to assist.

The new construction plan added 55,000 square feet to the existing 70,000 square-foot space. One of the most complicated architectural elements added to the project is the new social hall, a 40-foot glass cube that can fit up to 700 people. Given the frequency of hurricanes that affect South Florida, the engineering of The Shul’s multi-glass-wall configuration was sophisticated to meet all current code requirements.

The east side of The Shul in Bal Harbour is made up of 16 vertical glass panels and features the largest amount of glass in all the project. Al-Farooq Corporation worked on engineering six different ES Windows products that are used on the project.

We also designed and engineered specialty architectural “fins” for the project’s curtain wall designed for specific wind load.

 

The Watermark Grand Cayman

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The Watermark Grand Cayman is a stunning multi-family residence developed by Fraser Wellon housing 54 exclusive beachfront homes located on the famous Seven Mile Beach. Throughout 2019, Al-Farooq Corporation (AFC), the leading South Florida glazing engineering firm, worked with Miami-based RAD Architecture as a glazing consultant to meet the challenges of this unique design build project.

Al-Farooq Corporation was tasked by the team perform the services of a glazing consultant that includes assistance in selection products to make this beachfront gem meet Florida’s stringent Building Code Standard, making Watermark Grand Cayman one of the most resilient buildings on the island.  AFC also provided additional engineering services, such as engineering for the canopy/ skylight systems including a summary of wind load calculations for cladding components, and coordination of schematics for a steel bridge located on the property. AFC also provided drafting services for glazing details as well as product approval compliance for all windows and doors used for the nine-story structure.

The oceanfront property is set to feature an expansive pool deck with canopies and beachfront cabanas. To enhance the luxury building’s sustainability, AFC also provided permit drawings and calculations for several terrace and pool canopies, along with guest suites and a loading dock.

Construction on the project began in spring 2019.

Guitar-Shaped, Glass-Clad Hotel & Casino is Ready to Rock

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After months of anticipation, the guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has finally opened in Hollywood, Fla. The glass-clad building, which stands 35 stories above ground, is curved to create the realistic look of a guitar standing up, complete with guitar strings. Designed by Klai Juba Wald (KJW) Architecture + Interiors, the hotel and casino held its grand opening last week.

According to KJW associate principal Steve Peck, the façade incorporates approximately 247,200 square feet of glass. Arup consulted on the project, providing the details for the profiles and mullions to create the curve, according to Peck, who adds that each floor has a different angle.

A post-tension slab system was used for levels four through 28 of the building, which allowed for thin floor plates. This made the curtainwall installation easier, according to information provided by the structural engineering firm DeSimone. The firm also adds that if a reinforced concrete slab had been used instead, the added thickness would have conflicted with the curve of the glass and the intended shape may not have been achievable.

NR Windows in West Palm Beach, Fla., helped design, fabricate and install the curtainwall for the building. It features a custom hurricane impact curtainwall system tested to Miami-Dade County protocol with integrated LED lighting. The custom-designed guitar string system also includes integrated LED lighting, creating the neck of the guitar. In addition, NR custom designed a multi-track lift and slide glass door tested to Miami-Dade County protocol to meet the hurricane impact requirements.

“The design focus was given to the smooth vertical and horizontal curvature. To achieve the required curvature, NR designed a custom two-piece horizontal and segmented vertical curtainwall. This is the first time it has been done in Florida to meet the hurricane impact requirements per Miami-Dade County protocol,” says Ishrat Sultana, NR Windows office manager. “The corner units were designed to be installed as one piece, for easy install and better quality control. Special equipment was designed to handle this installation.”

Inside the lobby is a 24-foot tall segmented glass waterfall which Al Farooq Corp. designed with Faour Glass Technologies. Al Farooq senior project manager Hammad Muzaffar says the design was complex because it’s a long, curved system of glass with the dynamic loads from water added to it. The glass has a radius of 40 feet and is supported by a mullion-less system at the head and sill.

Faour’s Slimpact XL and pivot door systems were used for the hotel entrance and adjacent storefront. Al Farooq worked with Faour to engineer the project. Slimpact was used for approximately 2,200 total square feet of the project.

Muzaffar says his company had to create additional plate designs and connection detailing to get the system to work according to Florida codes, which have strict hurricane ratings.

California-based Manufacturer Gains Florida Product Approval

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When buildings require custom windows and doors, manufacturers often reach out to Al-Farooq Corporation to assist in the necessary process to make it happen. This was recently the case with California-based manufacturer Riviera Bronze, who was selected for a significant private residence in Miami Beach.

Al-Farooq Corporation identified relevant codes and standards for the region and performed engineering analysis of the structural performance for the company’s fixed windows, casement windows, fixed-casement combination units, and out-swing doors. The engineering firm then prepared testing programs for a variety of sample units that were built and later tested at a lab. Al-Farooq then prepared calculations and drawings for submittals to Florida Building Code for product approvals.

Riviera Bronze’s Steel Outswing Entrance Door, Steel Fixed Window, and Steel Outswing Casement Window are now all HVHZ-rated, non-impact, with true divided lites. All products are available to the South Florida market.

As The Plaza Coral Gables Tops Off, AFC Prepares for Phase Two

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After twelve months of vertical construction, two of the four mid-rise buildings that make up The Plaza Coral Gables have topped off. The seven-acre, mixed-use development is the most significant development within the City of Coral Gables. Al-Farooq Corporation has been selected to design the steel structure located at the front entrance of the building.

Designed by global architecture, planning, and design firm, CallisonRTKL, phase one of the project includes a 14-story, Class A state-of-the-art office building that includes 135 multi-housing units, 34 ground level loft apartment units and 101,439 square feet of retail space.

Al-Farooq Corporation is working with New York-based steel and bronze window and door manufacturer Hope’s® Windows, Inc.

For phase two, Al-Farooq has been hired to design perimeter steel plates for the glazing products. The project is expected to be completed next summer.

New Mayors Jewelers Storefront Engineering Complete

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Last month, a newly remodeled Mayors Jewelers reopened in Coral Gables’ upscale Merrick Park shopping mall. Al-Farooq Corporation was hired by New York-based Michael Neumann Architecture to provide a multitude of engineering services for the brand’s updated storefront.

The scope included several projects including engineering a temporary barricade used throughout the construction, a new façade and glazing system with wood cladding, steel and aluminum framing for the store’s façade that is concealed by a mirror-like cover, and more.

The store’s exterior signage, including a Rolex sign, was designed by Michael Neumann Architecture but required Al-Farooq’s team of experts to engineer the attachment along with all connections and framing.

Inside the store, Al-Farooq Corporation also designed and engineered framing and connections necessary for the interior hanging air conditioning units.

Curtain Wall System Earns Product Approval Thanks to AFC

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Al-Farooq Corporation has successfully obtained Florida approval for the Series 2000 Aluminum Stick Curtain Wall System, which recently underwent additional testing. The system was created by Miami-based manufacturer Mr. Glass Doors and Windows, which specializes in designing and producing long-lasting, high-performance windows and doors for residential and commercial applications.

The updated curtain wall system is designed for low-rise and mid-rise commercial South Florida buildings. The new system has been optimized for this area of the South Florida market and complies with the 2017 Florida Building Code, including High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.

For more information on the newly approved product, visit mrglasswindows.com.

Al-Farooq Corporation Awarded Ritz-Carlton Sarasota Project

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A development that has redefined luxury along Florida’s Gulf coast, the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, is undergoing renovations after being sold to a Dallas-based firm last year. Al-Farooq Corporation has been selected to provide shop drawings and site engineering for all glazing of the 266-room Bayfront hotel.

With 410 feet of beachfront, the property saw strong winds and rain when Hurricane Michael passed through the area last October. The renovations will protect the waterfront structure from future storms that may affect Sarasota.

Al-Farooq Corporation Helps Brickell Storefront Prepare for Hurricane Season

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It’s been predicted that the 2019 hurricane season will be an active one. As of June 1st, South Florida has already begun to experience a stormy few weeks. One Brickell building recently underwent ground-level boardwalk renovations to combat the rain and wind anticipated this year.

Located on the water, 801 Brickell Bay Drive – formerly the Four Ambassadors Hotel, is one of the most recent projects Al-Farooq Corporation has completed. AFC was hired by Dominion Builders, LLC to assist in engineering all storefront windows located on the property.

“What makes this project unique is that the windows will be both impact-rated for hurricane wind resistance and breakaway in the case of extreme flooding,” said Hammad Muzaffar, Project Manager at Al-Farooq Corporation.

 

Hurricane-Tested Jamestown175™ Series Pivot Door Now Available

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Al-Farooq Corporation is proud to have assisted Hope’s® Windows, Inc. in launching a new product into the market.

Earlier this year, Al-Farooq helped Hope’s to test the Jamestown175™ Series solid, hot-rolled steel pivot doors to Miami-Dade County and Florida Building Code (FBC) – High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) standards.

The door was tested for TAS-201 (large missile impact), TAS-202 (structural), TAS-203 (cyclic load), air infiltration, water, and design pressure +/- 60.0 PSF.

The in-swing product features a massive 6’ wide by 11’ tall single-panel door with ultra-thin sight-lines. It also boasts time-tested solid, hot-rolled steel and Hope’s exclusive Power of 5™ Finishing System.

We are now assisting Hope’s in testing and approving the out-swing design model.