VERTICAL CORNER POSTS

True vertical mullions separate this 3-panel alcove.

In this configuration, a nurse is able to view into 2 separate patient rooms from the alcove. The central glass panel is comprised of a “double” Vision Control^® unit whose louvers are separated in the middle by a vertical intermediate spacer located inside the air cavity of the glass. This allows the right half of the panel to be controlled independently from the left half of the panel with 2 operators being located on opposite sides of the glass unit.

The desk of the alcove is angled at approximately 135-degrees, with each return having its own Vision Control^® unit (operators can be located on either right or left hand side of each unit).

In this installation, the perpendicular wall occurring behind the central panel separates both rooms and is apparent form the nurse’s side. The vertical spacer inside the glass can be increased in width to cover any wall thickness. This can also be achieved by using a ceramic frit on the inside glass surfaces.

WILLIAM BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, TROY, MI
Architect: Harley Ellis Devereaux     Client: American Glass & Metals (2005)

The 3-panel configuration can be doubled into a 6-panel configuration, as in this Children’s Hospital. In this case, the central panel is a single unit without middle spacer. ICU or CCU rooms may require a larger nurse’s station, in this case, for a wide-angle controlled viewing of patients in critical health.

Additionally, in such areas where the environment must remain uncontaminated, the effect of using hermetically sealed louvers eliminates any washing or cleansing that would normally be needed with unprotected blinds or shades every time a new patient is admitted into the room.