In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh unveiled a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall, designed to function as both an academic facility and a social hub for 150 medical students. The expansion includes lecture halls, advanced labs, flexible classrooms, and a dedicated student floor for collaboration and community-building.

At the heart of the design is a central stairwell that encourages movement and interaction. To support this vision, the project team replaced traditionally opaque, code-compliant materials with transparent, fire-rated glazing systems. This shift allows for open sightlines across all seven floors while maintaining strict fire and life safety requirements.

A key feature is the use of butt-glazed, fire-rated glass assemblies around the stairwell. These systems eliminate vertical mullions, using narrow joints instead to create uninterrupted expanses of glass. The result is enhanced visibility, increased daylight penetration, and a stronger visual connection between floors. Students can easily navigate the building by identifying each level’s distinct color scheme from the stairwell.

The glazing solution incorporates Technical Glass Products’ Fireframes ClearView® System paired with Pilkington Pyrostop® fire-resistant glass. With minimal perimeter framing, the system maximizes glass area while protecting egress routes from smoke, flames, and radiant heat.

Achieving visual consistency was another priority. The narrow-profile frames align closely with adjacent curtain wall systems and integrate seamlessly with butt-glazed handrails, creating a cohesive aesthetic despite varying performance requirements.

Complex corner conditions within the stairwell required custom fabrication and close collaboration between the manufacturer, design team, and installers. Detailed planning, precise engineering, and coordinated installation ensured both performance and efficiency.