In 2017, we were honored to provide commercial windows for the Morningstar Clubhouse in Aledo.
It is a beautiful, Hill-Country style building, with lots of glass and natural light. The meeting room features a vaulted wooden ceiling. Between the low-E, insulated glass, and the broad porches, residents can “let the outside in,” without the summer Texas sun overpowering the comfortable meeting room.
Their website: https://welcometomorningstar.com/amazing-amenities/
One great architectural detail that we love, is the 8-foot windows – with another 4-foot transom above – on three sides of the room. The bronzed aluminum horizontal beam in-between was provided as part of the exterior system. The builder liked the look so much, that he requested that we provide the same covering on the inside! This removed the painted drywall, which would have been a light-colored stripe around the room. Now there is a consistent-looking commercial window system all the way around the inside of this large room – an interesting architectural feature.
Another architectural choice was to avoid heavy window tinting. This is possible due to the wide porches, which reduce the glare and heat load.
Many architects love the dark contrast of bronzed aluminum against Granbury or Austin stone. Maybe it is the metal feel, or even the hint at a dark stained walnut. For most installations, bronzed aluminum disappears to the eye. Another frame material often used is clear anodized aluminum. This material can present as more “modern”, but some architects feel clear anodized aluminum can be visually distracting on a set of darker windows.
