Powers Products partnered with Hord Coplan Macht and Fransen Pittman Construction on the new Welcome Center at Aims Community College.
The facility officially opened its doors in December 2021 and has since become a central hub for students, faculty, and the community. According to the college, “The 106,000-square-foot Welcome Center on the Greeley Campus offers a wide range of student services in one central location, while also being a premier gathering space for current students, staff, and community members.”
The design team’s vision included a three-story interior exit stairway that also served as a monumental stairway leading to an auditorium that opens into a light-filled vertical space. Due to the need maintain life safety of the building occupants in the open gathering space, specialized solutions were essential.
That’s where Powers Products stepped in. Working closely with HCM, the team identified the right fire and smoke rated wide-span opening protectives to ensure safety while maintaining the architectural design. The solution incorporated McKEON’s Auto-Set® FSFD-M-G galvanized steel fire rated shutter, paired with a side acting, fire rated Safescape® S7700-G with egress.
This collaboration brought together innovative design, expert construction, and proven life-safety solutions—resulting in a Welcome Center that prioritizes both safety and community.
Photos courtesy of Powers Products.