Belmont University campus features 10+ buildings with Linetec finishes on Tubelite storefront, curtainwall and entrances

Ensuring every project’s architectural vision, performance and sustainability requirements are upheld, Tubelite relies on Linetec as its single-source solution for its architectural finishing and value-added services. Linetec provides durable painted and anodized architectural finishing, high-performance thermal improvement and stretch forming to curve Tubelite’s aluminum fenestration and framing systems.

For Belmont University, Tubelite also worked closely with Alexander Metals, the University, the owner’s representative ChaseCo, and the team of architects and contractors. Many of the campus’ new and renovated structures featuring Tubelite aluminum framing systems were designed by architectural firm Earl Swensson Associates (ESa) and constructed by R.C. Mathews Contractor.

“It is an absolutely beautiful campus and with a lot of Tubelite framing systems,” said Tim Fookes, during a recent tour of the campus with Alexander Metals and Tubelite representative Gary Bowie of G. Bowie & Associates. Fookes serves as vice president of product engineering for Apogee Enterprises’ Architectural Framing Systems segment and Tubelite products.

Thousands of Belmont University’s students, faculty, staff and visitors have passed through Tubelite doors and gazed at the views framed by its curtainwall and storefront systems. Linetec’s durable finishing provides exceptional durability and performance, ideal for the heavy traffic and continuous use required by educational facilities.

For Tubelite and Linetec, must-stops on a visit to Belmont University include:

Named in honor of Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr, co-founder of HCA Healthcare, the building is near existing nursing, pharmacy and health science buildings. According to ESa architects, the new facility extends the campus health and wellness corridor, offering an interprofessional educational experience for the fast-growing university.

Supporting the well-being of its students, staff and surroundings, all of Belmont University’s new construction are designed and built to meet LEED® certification sustainability standards. Geothermal systems’ renewable energy sources are used for efficient heating and cooling. The campus is designated as an Arboretum and USA Tree Campus combining water-conscious irrigation with ecologically diverse greenspaces.

Framing these views, Alexander Metals installed Tubelite 400 Series Curtainwall system in 6- and 7.5-inch depths, and wide stile entrances. Promoting transparency and connection in the building’s indoor public spaces and large, inviting lobby, Tubelite INT45 interior framing systems also were installed. Along with outdoor views and interior daylight, the curtainwall’s high thermal performance supports the Center’s energy efficiency and comfort. These advantages can assist with its anticipated LEED v4 certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

For the Massey Center, Linetec applied a 70% PVDF resin-based architectural coating in Bone White for Tubelite’s linear and curved framing systems. As an environmentally responsible finisher, Linetec uses a 100% air capture system and regenerative thermal oxidizer to safely destroy the VOCs in liquid paints’ solvents. By managing this in its quality-controlled facility, there is no adverse environmental impact at Linetec, on the jobsite or on campus. The finished aluminum curtainwall and entrance systems require only basic care and cleaning to maintain their intended appearance.

The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Middle Tennessee recognized R.C. Mathews Contractor and the building team with 2024 Build TN Award of Excellence in the category for new institutional $75-80 million projects. The AGC award video noted:

“The Jack C. Massey Center is an incredible addition to the university’s growing campus, serving as the university’s new front door… Every floor of the six-story building includes incredible features and craftsmanship, and is designed to encourage collaboration, innovation and creativity. The project’s tight timeline and state-of-the-art technology advances demanded precise preplanning and coordination. Each space of the Jack C. Massey Center was carefully planned for a specific use, whether that be for collaborative spaces for students, ample offices for faculty, or wowing prospective students in the admissions theater. The Jack C. Massey Center will further enrich the on-campus experience and foster collaboration for students, faculty and visitors alike.”

“This project is the biggest deal that I’ve ever been involved on,” said David Minnigan, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, who was a principal at ESa before joining in 2023 Belmont University as its architect in residence. He called Fisher Center “a crowning jewel” of the campus and “something only a university with vision, like Belmont University has, can do.”

Named for former Belmont University president, Bob Fisher, the 155,000-square-foot Center hosts a 1,700-seat main auditorium, two contiguous recital halls, a grand lobby, and back-of-house areas including dressing rooms and rehearsal space. The entire interior space can be combined into a 900-seat banquet hall for special events.

From the outside, the building’s distinguished façade and expansive openings offer students and visitors a peek inside. The European-inspired grand lobby and recital halls display blue walls, hard wood and stone floors, and domed high ceilings. During the day, the interiors are illuminated with natural light thanks to Tubelite’s systems.

The Fisher Center’s architectural aluminum framing systems are finished to match the defining blue color and natural material palette. Tubelite’s 4.5-inch curtainwall and wide stile doors were custom-finished by Linetec using a durable mica coating in a Driftwood color. Linetec also provided Tubelite systems’ thermal improvement and stretch forming.

In ENR’s award overview, one judge also commented, “It’s just so well executed, it’s unbelievable.” R.C. Mathews Contractor’s project manager, Scott Morgan, also is quoted as saying, “You could almost call it a once-in-a-lifetime project, it’s so unique. It’s almost like a musical instrument.” He also credited the long relationship with the University and ESa, and collaborative project team, adding, “They all work together so well, creating an atmosphere where if there’s a problem, everyone is comfortable with each other and can put their heads together for a resolution. …That really is what makes a project like that so fun to be on. You’re motivated to come work on it, and everybody wanting to go above and beyond, putting in 110%.”

Along with the prestigious ENR award, the project also earned a 2023 Traditional Building’s Palladio Award for new design and construction in the more than 30,000-square-foot category, a 2022 American School & University special citation, and an Associated Building and Contractors (ABC) national 2022 Pyramid Award and an ABC Greater Tennessee 2022 Excellence in Construction Award in the mega-project $100-160 million category.

Tubelite’s products and Linetec’s finishing meet the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance’s AAMA industry-leading performance standards. In addition, Tubelite Therml=Block systems are tested and modeled for thermal transmittance per the National Fenestration Rating Council’s procedures.

Along with the high performance of its building envelope, the Curb Event Center’s interior offers a 5,000-seat live performance space. It is connected to the student life center by way of the grand atrium to form a single structure. Opening the south side of the campus, the building follows the curving edge of the boulevard and complements adjacent community businesses.

Contributing to this award-winning project, Alexander Metals installed Tubelite wide stile entrance systems and center-set T14000 Series Storefront to create a welcoming and secure facility that transcends pure functionality. The natural light through the exterior openings is carried more deeply to the building’s core through Tubelite interior framing systems that allow for views onto the indoor court. In addition to the floor-to-ceiling interior openings, clerestory windows enrich the court’s daytime illumination.

Tubelite’s doors and framing systems were finished in Champagne Anodize by Linetec. This high-performance finish protects the metal and the light color enhances the natural beauty of the aluminum. Linetec maintains strict quality control procedures to ensure a very narrow range of color variation. Tubelite’s anodized aluminum framing systems also are recognized for their sustainable attributes, including earning a Declare Label as Living Building Challenge^™ Red List Free. Anodize contains no VOCs and is an inert material that is not combustible and poses no health risks. The aluminum is 100% recyclable at the end of its long life on the building.

Defining the Inman Center’s exterior, Alexander Metals installed Tubelite Series 400 Curtainwall and storefront systems in a repeating pattern with varied dimensions. The main entrance showcases Tubelite wide stile doors with the openings above appearing narrower and taller than those at the top of the building. The corner tower’s window are wider in scale and crowned with octagonal portals above them, reflecting the decorative masonry. Linetec finished Tubelite’s aluminum framing in a Bone White 70% PVDF resin-based, high-performance architectural coating to blend with the surrounding stone.

Student Residential Halls

Alexander Metals also has installed a variety of Tubelite aluminum framing systems on numerous student residential buildings, including Dickens Hall (2012), Horrell Hall (2013), Russell Hall (2014), Tall Hall (2018) and Caldwell Hall (2022).

University planners sought to accommodate growing enrollment by offering as many beds as possible with careful consideration for sustainability and adaptability. As part of its unique design, a three-story, atrium lobby overlooks the basement lounge at the elevated bridge entry. The interior framing system was created using Tubelite E4500 Series Storefront and was finished to match the exterior curtainwall.

The project and ESa were recognized with a 2023 outstanding design citation by American School & University.

As an environmentally responsible finishing services provider, Linetec paints and anodizes Tubelite aluminum framing using no- and low-VOC finishes, which were prioritized on Tall Hall. Linetec also serves as Tubelite’s single-source solution for stretch forming the curved aluminum and thermally broken framing, supporting the building’s aesthetic and performance goals.

Further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, Belmont University reported 24% of all materials (by cost) installed on Tall Hall contain recycled content, energy use was reduced by at least 30% over a baseline building and approximately $107,950 in annual energy savings have been achieved. The project won ABC Greater Tennessee 2019 Excellence in Construction Merit Award in the $30-100 million category.

“It’s exciting to see what we’ve done here for our students,” said Belmont University’s president, Bob Fisher, at the project’s topping-out construction milestone. “The views from the top of this building, or even the views from the lower part of this building, are going to be spectacular. It’s going to house 611 of our students when it’s done.”

Fisher added, “This is our commitment to keeping our students close, keeping them as part of the Belmont community. We find that so many of our students want to stay on campus.”

Opened in 2018, Tall Hall provides more space for juniors and seniors to remain as residents on campus. As of 2024, there are 16 residential halls with more than 5,000 rooms available for students attending Belmont University.

Teamwork with Tubelite

Thanks to the collaborative approach between Tubelite, Linetec, Alexander Metals, R.C. Mathews Contractor, ESa architects, ChaseCo and Belmont University, a harmonious campus design continues to evolve and to support students’ academic growth.

Opened in 1890 with 90 students, Belmont currently serves an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students, the private university retains a 12 to one student to faculty ratio and offers more than 160 academic programs.

With respect to architectural legacy and consideration for setting and sustainability, Belmont University ranked #11 on Architectural Digest’s 2022 list of the prettiest college campuses in the United States that “create a place as beautiful as it is educational.”