Scott McKinley Research Building – Structural Glass & Glazing Engineering

Washington University School of Medicine | St. Louis, Missouri

Project Type: Research / Higher Education
Architect: Goody Clancy / Christner
General Contractor: Clayco
Glazing Contractor: National Glass & Glazing, Ltd.
JEI Structural Scope: Point-Supported Laminated Glass Windscreen Engineering

Specialty Structural Glass Engineering for a Major St. Louis Research Facility

The Scott McKinley Research Building at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis combines modern architecture with extensive glass, glazing and façade systems.

Working with National Glass & Glazing, Ltd., JEI Structural provided specialty structural glass engineering for the project’s point-supported laminated-glass decorative windscreens.

These architectural glass elements required engineering beyond conventional framed glazing, including consideration of glass performance, point-support conditions, connections, structural loads and the interaction between the glazing system and its supporting structure.

Point-Supported Laminated Glass Windscreen Engineering

Point-supported glass systems use discrete structural connections rather than conventional continuous framing.

For architectural windscreens, the glass and its support system must work together to resist wind loads while maintaining the transparent appearance intended by the architect.

JEI Structural provided engineering design for the laminated-glass windscreen system, applying specialized structural glass knowledge to the glazing contractor’s project requirements.

This type of work is part of JEI’s broader Glass Wall Design & Structural Glass Engineering expertise.

Internal Link: Glass Wall Design & Structural Glass Engineering

Glass, Glazing & Curtain Wall Systems

The Scott McKinley Research Building uses glass extensively as part of its contemporary façade.

The project illustrates the coordination required between:

• Architectural glass

• Curtain wall and glazing systems

• Laminated structural glass

• Point-supported glass

• Glass connections and attachments

• Supporting building structure

• Wind and environmental loading

• Architectural design intent

Although JEI’s documented scope focused specifically on the point-supported laminated-glass windscreens, the project demonstrates how specialty structural glass engineering integrates into a much larger commercial glazing and façade package.

For broader curtain wall engineering and consulting capabilities, see JEI Structural Curtain Wall Design & Consulting.

Internal Link: Curtain Wall Design & Consulting

JEI Structural Glass & Glazing Engineering Services

Structural Glass Engineering

JEI Structural provides engineering for advanced architectural glass systems where the glass, connections and supporting structure must perform together.

Services include laminated glass analysis, structural glass walls, point-supported systems, monumental glazing and other custom glass applications.

Internal Link: Glass Wall Design & Structural Glass Engineering

Specialty Glazing Engineering

Complex architectural glazing frequently requires engineering beyond standard manufacturer’s details.

JEI supports glazing contractors, architects and project teams with specialized analysis and practical engineering solutions for unusual glass configurations, decorative glazing and custom façade conditions.

Internal Link: Specialty Glazing Design Services

Curtain Wall Engineering & Consulting

JEI provides curtain wall engineering, system analysis, attachment design, movement coordination and consulting for stick-built, unitized and hybrid curtain wall systems.

Internal Link: Curtain Wall Design & Consulting

Façade Engineering & Building Envelope Consulting

JEI Structural provides specialty façade engineering and building envelope consulting for glass, glazing, curtain wall, architectural metal, cladding and other exterior building systems.

Internal Link: Building Envelope & Façade Engineering, Consulting & Drafting

Engineering the Details Behind Architectural Glass

Highly transparent architectural glass systems often hide significant structural complexity.

Glass thickness and laminate composition, point-support locations, connection forces, wind loads, tolerances, structural movement and attachment conditions can all influence the final system.

JEI Structural specializes in resolving these conditions while maintaining architectural intent and helping glazing contractors deliver practical, buildable solutions.

Engineering & Drafting Under One Roof

JEI Structural supports glazing contractors, architects, general contractors, owners and manufacturers with specialty façade expertise including:

• Structural Glass Engineering

• Curtain Wall Engineering

• Storefront Engineering

• Specialty Glazing Engineering

• Glass Railing Engineering

• Glass Canopy & Skylight Engineering

• Façade Engineering

• Building Envelope Consulting

• Delegated Design

• Constructability Reviews

• Third-Party Façade Reviews

• Shop Drawings & Drafting

• Building Movement & Deflection Coordination

• Architectural Metal & Specialty Façade Engineering

• Cladding & Panel Engineering

Why This Project Matters

The Scott McKinley Research Building demonstrates an important role JEI frequently plays on major commercial façade projects.

JEI does not have to engineer the entire building envelope to provide significant value.

Glazing contractors and project teams frequently bring JEI into a project when a specialized structural glass condition, unusual attachment, complex geometry or delegated-design requirement needs focused façade engineering expertise.

At McKinley, that specialty condition was the project’s point-supported laminated-glass decorative windscreens.

Need Specialty Glass or Façade Engineering?

JEI Structural provides specialty glass and façade consulting, engineering and drafting for commercial projects throughout the United States and internationally.

Specialty Glass and Facade Consulting, Engineering & Drafting

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