Step inside the main entrance to Quality Chemical Laboratories’ recently completed factory extension in Wilmington, NC and you will be greeted by an impressive, curved staircase, complete with TemperShield bent glass railings by Glasshape.
Quality Chemical Laboratories partnered with McKinley Building Corporation, the general contractors on this project along with Cothran Harris Architecture. Work began on the project in April 2020 with the goal to double QCL’s operational facilities and expand their capabilities into sterile fill and finish manufacturing of injectable drugs. The project was completed in early 2024, which is an achievement in itself, considering the complexity of the project and having to work through a pandemic.
Glasshape was honoured to work in collaboration with P&P Artec Inc., the designers and fabricators of the feature curved staircase. P&P Artec supplied Glasshape with working drawings as a reference to guide the design and manufacture of our signature TemperShield clear, bent, and toughened (tempered) 22.28mm laminated glass. The process of transferring and translating design information was seamless and ensured the glass was a perfect fit on site.
Once again, the finished result clearly illustrates the combined effort and attention to detail from everyone involved in this impressive and highly complex project.
"Having worked with Glasshape in the past, on both larger and smaller projects, the decision to work with them once again on Quality Chemical Laboratories was easy. The design and installation of a point based, curved system is complex and requires an extremely high level of detail through all phases as the quality of system depends almost entirely on the fitment and quality of the glass. Glasshape delivers curved glass that is among the highest quality I’ve seen in the industry. Combined with their streamlined logistics and professionalism, they are a valued partner and have helped in our success on many projects," P&P Artec Inc. CEO John Andreacchi said.
Watch the ‘Quality Chem Labs - Grand Entrance Curved Staircase’ video
Project credits
Architect: Cothran Harris Architecture
General Contractors: McKinley Building Corporation
Client: Quality Chemical Laboratories
Designer and Fabricator: P&P Artec Inc.
Videography: Shoootin
