Recently, I spoke with Andy Camay, sales and marketing coordinator at Hope’s Windows. That Hope’s is the largest steel window manufacturer in the world is itself a remarkable testament to the company’s long-standing and well-earned brand recognition. I asked Camay about how Hope’s has managed not only to grow its brand but also to adapt to the diverse customization needs of colleges and universities.
“Having over 100 years of experience producing hot rolled steel and bronze windows is certainly a feather in our cap,” Camay says. “Quite often with work involving universities, it’s crucial that we preserve the existing aesthetic [of campus architecture].”
An example of Hope’s acumen with aesthetic preservation is its work at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Hope’s restored the university’s Chapel of the Resurrection, the crown jewel of the 350-acre campus and one of the largest collegiate chapels in the world. During the preservation project, Hope’s faced the daunting challenge of replacing nearly 1,000 individual windows. Among those installed were Hope’s Jamestown Series steel windows, which were selected to precisely match the sightlines and colors of the original windows. The 24 original windows surrounding the chapel’s nave are enormous—58 feet in height and covering a combined surface of 16,700 square feet. Hope’s restored the windows not only to match the historic integrity of the building but also to make them energy efficient.
Whatever the project may entail, Camay explains, “Hope’s has several proprietary profiles to help ensure that we have a product that will suit those requirements. Universities may vary in their aesthetic demands, and the design flexibility of Hope’s products ensures that the desired look is achieved and preserved. [We] supply the entire window and door package.”
Hope’s market dominance is additionally facilitated by its commitment to creating products unmatched in their durability. “We provide longevity in investment.” Camay cites Hope’s hot rolled steel and bronze windows and doors as examples, noting that they “are not only used for their durability and flexibility, but for their generational strength and resilience. It’s no secret that windows and doors within a university setting are exposed to wear and tear. When compared to similar products offered [in the marketplace], our products stand the test of time.”
Collaborating with Universities
The network of universities that have collaborated with Hope’s is impressive in its scope, and the continuing growth of this network speaks to the company’s reputation. On the question of how this process of collaboration between Hope’s and the university begins, Camay explains with evident pride: “Normally, universities seek us out. Hope’s is sought after due to [its] history of working with universities throughout the country that require historical preservation. Chances are, we have the correct profiles to meet what the university requires, and we have the manufacturing ability to replicate in kind. Our products likely shine the most when we have a project that combines replicating existing materials alongside new construction—we can ensure the fenestration blends seamlessly.” An example of such an endeavor is Hope’s work with Stanford University. At Stanford, Hope’s manufacturing capabilities were put to the test by a project that included design and construction of a three-story wall system, fire-rated and non-rated doors and windows, custom shapes, custom engineered subframes, reinforced muntins (strips of wood or metal that separate and hold panes of glass in a window), and more—all of which were used to accommodate for high slope, seismic drift, wind load, and water requirements.
I asked Camay if there were any recent collaborations between Hope’s and universities around the country that he’s especially excited about. “Truth be told, we are so often involved with many ongoing projects that it’s difficult to choose just one.” Camay, however, does cite the example of a recent collaboration with Vanderbilt University, one he describes as “a large, multiphase project that included both windows and doors. Hope’s supplied 1,200 uniquely shaped windows and over 100 fire-rated doors within high traffic areas.”
Achieving Campus Sustainability Goals with Hope’s Windows
Hope’s collaborative efforts with institutions of higher education extends to developing products that complement institutional goals of achieving campus-wide sustainability. “One key feature of Hope’s hot rolled steel profiles is that we source a very high-quality recycled steel,” Camay says. “Our hot rolled steel windows and doors are sustainable, too, in their longevity. Hope’s products provide two to three times the lifecycle of other products [available on the market].”
The company regularly assists in the fulfilment of credits within the LEED Rating System. It is worth noting, too, that windows manufactured by Hope’s allow for larger openings and narrow frames, which in turn allow more natural daylight to fill a room. Natural light reduces energy consumption just as it promotes a feeling of well-being. If building occupants feel comfortable but also energized, it’s hardly a leap to imagine how Hope’s products contribute to heightened productivity among students, faculty, and staff.
Camay observes that alongside institutional efforts to go greener, issues of campus safety are as pertinent as ever. “Steel windows and doors provide a high level of strength and security,” he says. “One key feature in the Hope’s manufacturing process is that the hot rolled steel sections used are fusion welded at the corners. This provides longevity in addition to extremely high levels of strength and rigidity.” The strength of Hope’s solid hot-rolled steel can sustain incredible structural load requirements. This enables the manufacturer to reach precise design requirements for openings in virtually unlimited scale, shapes, and configurations. Hope’s manages all of this while also maintaining minimal sightlines and maximum glass area—a distinct aesthetic that can’t be duplicated by other materials. The company’s products are likewise wide-ranging in their utility, from hurricane and impact-rated windows and doors to fire-rated window and door systems, and even to hot-rolled steel windows and doors with Thermal Evolution technology. Comparing this life cycle to alternatives like wood, vinyl, and aluminum, Hope’s provides a superior long-term investment, both financially and environmentally.
The products at Hope’s are also subject to more independent, third-party testing and certifications than any other steel window and door company in the United States. The company provides thorough testing results from industry organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the Florida Building Code, and many others. Testing addresses building code compliance, hurricane and impact resistance, forced entry security, thermal performance, fire resistance, finish performance, blast protection, as well as air, water, and structural integrity.
As our conversation reaches its conclusion, Camay offers a keen insight, one which perhaps speaks to the mindset of Hope’s at large—to create a beautiful building is a balancing act. To do so requires consideration not only of what clients want but also what they may need to achieve safety and sustainability goals. “There is no question that colleges throughout the country choose Hope’s because we can manage [every need]. Other products within the industry might fulfill one aspect of the design approach, but with Hope’s flexibility, we can manage more. [The planning process] starts with open communication with our sales team so we can understand the plans and specifications, and to ensure that the correct product is utilized to fit the needs of the project. From there, we prioritize accurate delivery by making sure that shop drawings have been approved.” The brand recognition of Hope’s proves a great asset, in particular, at the stage in which architects are most involved: “Architects who know our brand understand that this balancing act is absolutely achievable. [Our products] allow for almost endless capabilities that offer elegance combined with strength.”
