Vaisala U.S. Headquarters—Case Study

The Project

Finland-based Vaisala, a global leader in weather, environmental, and industrial measurements, embarked on a visionary project to erect a cutting-edge U.S. headquarters in Colorado, showcasing their unwavering dedication to sustainability. The endeavor encompassed the construction of a new building seamlessly integrated with the existing one, fostering a fluid indoor-outdoor campus designed to cater to customers, employees, researchers and partners alike.

Inspired by the sleek, minimalist design ethos of their Scandinavian headquarters, the new structure embodies modernity while prioritizing eco-consciousness. Notably, the project achieves net-zero energy through a fusion of sustainable design features. Among these are a state-of-the-art, 492-panel rooftop solar array, a highly efficient VRF mechanical system, and a striking, vertical, double-skin curtain wall facade, all meticulously orchestrated to minimize energy consumption.

The project has achieved an impressive Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 28, demonstrating exceptional energy performance. This achievement not only exceeds standard energy codes but also positions the headquarters as one of Colorado's foremost sustainable office buildings.

The building incorporates a lower TPO roof hosting a tilted solar array, an upper standing seam metal roof utilizing the S-5-U Mini/UniRac rail-based solar racking system, and a vertical façade wall featuring the PVKIT and S-5-U clamp solar mounting system.

The Challenge

The owner desired a sleek-looking, low-profile system that would complement the look of the roof and the hi-end, architecturally designed building. The main challenge was to provide an aesthetically pleasing, vertically mounted solar PV array on the existing standing seam façade wall, including engineering sign-off on the solution. A conventional, heavy rail-mounted system was deemed unsuitable for the façade wall.

The array not only needed to look impressive, as it would be highly visible for those who arrived at the Vaisala building, but it also needed to withstand tremendous wind loads. This area of Colorado experiences around 145 mph wind speeds and Category C exposure so Vaisala needed a system that could withstand extreme wind conditions.

The Solution

The installer recommended the direct-attach PVKIT rail-less solar mounting solution paired with the S-5-U clamp, for the façade mounted array. Together, the solar mountings provided a low-profile, sleek, lightweight solution to secure the solar array to the standing seam wall.

Additionally, it enabled the owner to achieve a design engineered to withstand the region’s high winds. By directly attaching the PV to the seams, it provided installation efficiency and flexibility, and distributed the load more uniformly into the structure.

The clamps perform a secondary function as wind clamps, often referred to as “External Seam Clamps” (ESC). These wind clamps measurably increase the roof’s wind uplift resistance capacity, preventing multiple modes of failure, including seam separation and clip disengagement when used at roof clip locations.

Long-Term Outlook

Over time, the solar system will offset 69% of the building’s electrical consumption. The PVKIT solar attachments provided the ideal mounting solution and aesthetic appeal the customer desired without penetrating the standing seam profile.

LOCATION

Louisville, CO, United States

BUILDING OWNER

Vaisala

CONTRACTOR

B & M Roofing

MANUFACTURER

 S-5!

SIZE

Upper roof 60’ from eave to ridge; x 112’ at the eave and 87’ at the ridge. Wall façade 36’ x 104’