Commercial Case Study: Northland Workforce Training Center

Architecture/Design: Watts Architecture & Engineering
Preservation Architect: Barbara A. Campagna/Architecture & Planning, PLLC
NWTC Project Management: R.E. Krug Corporation
Sales Rep: RISE Architectural Sales
Location: Buffalo, New York
Project Type: Historic Renovation, Education, Workforce Training
Products: VELUX Pinnacle Single Pitch Skylights, VELUX Pinnacle Double Pitch Skylights, and VELUX Horizon C-Series Canopies

Background

The Northland Workforce Training Center is located in an old factory, formerly known as Niagara Machine & Tool Works, in Buffalo, New York. Originally built and in use from 1910 to 1918, the site is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

As part of an urban redevelopment project, the state of New York renovated the century-old, 235,000-square-foot industrial space to house the Northland Workforce Training Center, Buffalo Manufacturing Works, and other tenants.

The renovation transformed a historic industrial building into a modern workforce training environment while preserving the character of the original structure.

The Challenge

This particular project posed budget, natural-lighting, and historic-preservation challenges. The team of architects and engineers needed to complete a full renovation of the building to meet modern educational standards, including improved energy efficiency and climate control.

They also needed to replace the original skylights centered over the factory floor, which, according to preservation architect Barbara Campagna, contained caulking and glazing classified as hazardous materials. Because of the building’s historic status, each new skylight had to match the appearance of the old skylights to the satisfaction of the New York State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service.

The project was also publicly funded, which meant the team had to meet these performance and preservation goals within a tight budget.

The Solution: VELUX Commercial Skylights

VELUX engineering and project management teams worked with the training center's architectural team to develop a custom plan to meet historic criteria, including a modified low-profile extrusion for phase one and dies to replicate the extrusions for phase two. The design was reviewed and approved by the National Park Service for historic compliance.

To improve temperature control and achieve future cost savings, the VELUX Wells team provided glazing recommendations. Since the south-facing skylights receive the most direct sunlight of the day, they are glazed with Solarban® 90 glass to reduce solar heat gain while boosting visible light transmittance. Because they receive less direct sunlight, the north-facing skylights are glazed with the highly efficient but more economical Solarban® 60.

Elsewhere in the project, a Horizon C-Series canopy system was installed in a drop ceiling to improve climate control while still allowing abundant natural light. A lightweight, high-impact-resistant 20 mm multiwall polycarbonate is installed on the trusses in a clear finish.

Products Used & Specifications

The products and specifications used for this project were:

• 21 Single Pitch skylights with Quaker Bronze with KYNAR finish, ranging in size from 12' x 3'10" up to 238' x 7'
• 2 Double Pitch skylights with Quaker Bronze with KYNAR finish, in sizes 16' x 11' and 72' x 13'
• 3 Horizon C-Series canopies with Clear finish, in sizes 39' x 17', 42' x 17', and 74' x 17'
  

The Result: A Historic Building Reimagined for Modern Training

The Northland Workforce Training Center shows how a historic industrial building can be adapted for modern use without losing the character that made it significant.

By working with the architectural, preservation, and project management teams, VELUX Commercial helped provide daylighting solutions that supported historic compliance, improved indoor comfort, and brought natural light into the renovated space.

The result is a revitalized Buffalo landmark that now serves as a brighter, more comfortable environment for workforce education, manufacturing training, and continued community investment.

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Product Spotlight: Pinnacle Skylight Systems

VELUX Pinnacle Skylight Systems are structural skylight systems designed for large-scale custom daylighting applications. Built for spans up to 40 feet, Pinnacle systems offer the versatility of a custom-configured skylight with the reliability and cost savings of standardized engineering, construction, and installation.

With a variable-pitch hinge design, Pinnacle systems can support pitches ranging from 15° to 60°. The system is built to order from stock for shorter lead times and features fewer parts for faster on-site assembly. Narrow profiles create clean lines, while concealed fasteners provide a finished appearance on both the interior and exterior.

View Pinnacle Skylight System Sales Sheet

Product Spotlight: C-Series Canopy Systems

VELUX Horizon C-Series canopy systems are translucent polycarbonate canopy systems designed for daylighting and durability. Constructed with 20mm standing-seam multiwall polycarbonate panels, C-Series canopies can span up to 39 feet in length while providing natural daylight transmission and shelter from the elements.

The modular panel system is shipped fully fabricated for easy on-site assembly. Snap-on batten assembly and concealed clips support simple, fast installation, while hidden fasteners, gaskets, sealants, and horizontal joints create a contemporary, streamlined appearance. Available in multiple configurations and color options, C-Series canopies offer an economical, sleek alternative to glass for commercial entrances, shelters, and covered walkways.

View Canopy Sales Sheet

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