Glass Railings for a Safer and Brighter Learning Environment

The railing features aluminum top rails, offset aluminum handrails, and ½” clear tempered glazing. The existing skylight that capped the atrium was also replaced with a more efficient Solar Innovations® skylight.

During the renovation of an elementary school in Washington D.C., a client sought to replace an existing atrium space with a modern design that was more inviting. The atrium acts as an entry for students and facilitates movement to the second floor classrooms.

The existing design featured a bulky half-wall that wound its way up a U-shaped staircase and around the second floor balcony.

In addition to appearing outdated, this half-wall obstructed both light and visual connection from the entry. As the first thing the students would see in the morning, this was hardly an inspiring or inviting view.