'Doors and Hardware' Magazine Features George W. Bush Library and Museum Case Study by Ellison President Mark Graves

Presidential Libraries preserve and make available to the public the documents and artifacts of U.S. Presidents from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush. The first Presidential Library of the 21st century, the George W. Bush Library and Museum opened to the public in May 2013 on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas.

The dignified building was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and complements the American Georgian style of the SMU campus. Clad in red brick and limestone, the expansive, flat-roofed three-story structure is surrounded by a landscape of native Texas trees and shrubs.

The George W. Bush Library and Museum contains a total of 42 doors from Ellison Bronze, utilizing over 15,000 pounds of #280 alloy muntz bronze sheet material on the doors and frames. The doors feature custom one-of-a-kind bronze handles, each proudly displaying the lone star of Texas. Every door also has custom-milled bronze bar thresholds, employing 3,750 pounds of #280 alloy muntz bronze plate.

“Ellison Bronze is well-known and when it comes to monumental doors. We knew we had to go with the best,” says Jason Wroblewski, senior project manager for Haley-Greer, the project’s contract glazier. “As expected, the custom doors are grand, beautiful and have great craftsmanship.”

Ellison provided five pairs of custom monumental balanced door units, including hardware and immediate framing. Four of the pairs are an impressive 12-feet tall. Each of these doors includes three raised bronze panels surrounded by a solid bronze bar. The construction and hinging hardware allow the sizable doors to be opened easily. The balanced doors pivot at two-thirds the width of the door, creating a balance that distributes the weight so the door requires little force to open. The inset balancing point allows for an easier open force, even against external wind and internal building pressure, despite the added weight of the sturdy components.

“The rich bronze doors, hardware and thresholds really make a statement,” adds Wroblewski. “This was a very complicated project because of the large quantity of both custom doors and hardware. Ellison’s hard work and experience are what helped to make it a success.”

The George W. Bush Library and Museum also contains 32 swing doors from Ellison, including 15 double units and two singles. Each door has either six or eight true divided lites of glass achieved by using solid bronze bars. The glass stops were custom bronze extrusions crafted from 2,400 pounds of #385 architectural bronze. Each door and glass panel was produced from 3,885 pounds of #385 architectural bronze bar.

The Ellison doors are located throughout the museum, including Freedom Hall, a 14,000-square-foot formal gathering space at the entrance. Freedom Hall is the signature architectural feature of the building, featuring a 67-foot high tower. The Ellison doors also lead to an outdoor courtyard with a café.



ADA Compliance

The George W. Bush Library and Museum is wheelchair accessible and doors are one of the main elements of creating an accessible space. Understanding key regulatory requirements set in the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) helps to not only avoid legal ramifications, but also to ensure easy access for everyone. The most updated version of the regulation, the 2010 revised requirements (with a compliance date on or after March 15, 2012), is consistent with the International Building Code (IBC) guidelines.

Among the most pertinent guidelines associated with entry systems is ADA 404.2.3, “Clear Width,” and involves clear opening space. It reads:
 

“Door openings shall provide a clear width of 32 inches (815 mm) minimum. Clear openings of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees. Openings more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep shall provide a clear opening of 36 inches (915 mm) minimum. There shall be no projections into the required clear opening width lower than 34 inches (865 mm) above the finish floor or ground. Projections into the clear opening width between 34 inches (865 mm) and 80 inches (2030 mm) above the finish floor or ground shall not exceed 4 inches (100 mm).”
 

When considering balanced door manufacturers, it is important to choose one with extensive knowledge about ADA guidelines to ensure the proper measurements are taken into account. For a single door, it is possible to meet the 32 inches (815 mm) minimum width requirement, provided the leaf is at least 37 inches (940 mm) with a 43-inch (1092 mm) total frame width. This allows the 4 inches (102 mm) required for balanced hardware, the approximately 1 inch (25 mm) required for door stop material on the opposing side, and the 3-inch (76 mm) door jambs at each side. A pair of doors with a 78-inch (1981 mm) frame (36 inches (914 mm) per door) will also provide a 32-inch (815 mm) opening with one door fully open to 90 degrees, bringing in similar opening dimensions to a swing or pivot door.


A second pertinent consideration for ADA responsibility is opening force requirement. The act does not have guidelines associated with opening force for exterior doors because it would be too inhibiting. Exterior doors are often large and heavy, and also may have panic or latching devices to function properly. ADA does not limit the use of such devices with a strict guideline, but does pose an advisory in section 404.2.9, “Door and Gate Opening Force,” which reads:


“The maximum force pertains to the continuous application of force necessary to fully open a door, not the initial force needed to overcome the inertia of the door. It does not apply to the force required to retract bolts or to disengage other devices used to keep the door in a closed position.”


Another important ADA consideration is door hardware addressed in section 404.2.7, “Door and Gate Hardware.” Operable parts of door hardware are required to be 34 inches (865 mm) minimum and 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the ground. An advisory recommends:

“Door hardware that can be operated with a closed fist or a loose grip accommodates the greatest range of users. Hardware that requires simultaneous hand and finger movements require greater dexterity and coordination, and is not recommended.”

With careful planning all facilities, including libraries and museums, can be accessible to everyone. Many manufacturers offer doors that meet ADA guidelines and product specifications should be compared with ADA guidelines to ensure their claims are correct. Not all ADA standards are covered in this article, so it is important to work with an architect or ADA consultant that that understands these complex standards as well as the standards in your jurisdiction.  

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