SCAD Museum of Art

Offering more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university, SCAD is uniquely qualified to prepare talented students for professional, creative careers.

The design of the campus museum features a long wall of glass for the gallery.  To reduce solar heat gain, glare and add the element of nature, W.S. Nielsen worked with architectural firm, Lord Aeck Sargent on an interesting wooden louver screen system.

The louvers were designed out of Ipe, also called Brazilian walnut, is a beautiful exotic wood from South America. Ipe wood louvers are hard, strong, and naturally resistant to rot, abrasion, weather, and insects. It is almost twice as dense as most woods and up to five times harder.

Over time the wood will patina into a grey colour but will never warp. The louvers are tilted in a fixed position providing shade to the glass wall behind it.

The result is a beautiful gallery, inside and out, which feels modern and organic.

CEAS+ is the ‘easy button’ for W.S. Nielsen clients.  Together, we work off a napkin sketch, freeing up owners, GC and architects.  The DEFI process [Design, Engineer, Fabricate, Install] is a huge benefit to our clients because it speeds things up.  Time is money; therefore, we also see a reduction in installation cost.