Barrier Visits Major NYC Public Housing Project using Blazeguard Fire-Rated Sheathing for Exterior Walls

Blazeguard as used on the entire exterior walls of a 24 unit building in Markham Gardens

Barrier President & CEO Michael Huddy recently toured a major public housing project in metropolitan New York City that is using Blazeguard Fire-Rated Sheathing to protect its exterior walls.

The overall project, first announced in 2006, is a $60 million redevelopment of the Markham Gardens public housing development located in the West Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island's north shore. Blazeguard was chosen for its dual role as a fire-retardant barrier and structural sheathing component for the exterior walls of some 250 units in 24 buildings. Installation of Blazeguard began in mid-summer and will be concluded within the next several months.

A larger view of the Markham Gardens project.

"Barrier is proud to be associated with this project, on more than one level," says Huddy. "On the one hand, the innovative use of building materials to offer both fire resistance and structural strength is impressive. In addition, it is nice to be associated with a project designed and built with an eye toward improving living conditions and uplifting the local community."

Huddy met with one of Markham Gardens principal designing architects, Lawrence Benjamin of DHK architects; with Blazeguard supplier Best Building Products of Walden, NY; and on-site with project managers from contractor Speigel Associates.

"Blazeguard offers a healthy balance that gives us a one-or-two-hour fire separation without eating up too much interior space while offering three-dimensional stability," says Benjamin.

Benjamin was so intrigued by Blazeguard's all-in-one fire barrier capabilities that he made a special trip to the job site to see the product once it arrived.

"Hopefully this will become the template for 'green' building," Benjamin adds, speaking of the Markham Gardens project in general, but noting Blazeguard's contribution as an environmentally-friendly, chemical-free fire retardant. "We are fans of the material," he says. "The context in which it is being used is pretty dynamic."

Links:

Green Buildings in NYC
Markham Gardens Announcement (2006)
DHK Architects
Best Building Supply

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