Beyond Tape Origami
Complex window assemblies often turn installers into origami artists. At 1151 Walnut Street, the team took a different approach—simplifying corner detailing to improve consistency, speed, and long-term airtightness across the building envelope.
- Building Location
- Newton, MA, United States
- Project type
- Mixed use developments
- Project size
- 33,000 sq ft
- Architect
- Dooling and Company Architects
- Builder
- ReyCon
- Installer
- International Framers
- Products used
- Rissan® 430 grey, Rissan® 430 grey corners, Majvest® 500 SA 60", Wigluv® black 100 & 150
Why SIGA?
Origami at home with the family might be a good time, but let’s skip it on the jobsite.
At 1151 Walnut Street, a modern mixed-use project in Newton, MA, the construction team faced a familiar challenge: using ‘tape origami’ to keep complex window assemblies airtight without slowing down installation.
To solve this, they turned to SIGA Rissan® 430 Grey and the pre-made Rissan® 430 Grey Corners—solutions designed to simplify detailing and deliver consistent results across dozens of openings.
What had the greatest impact on this project was the speed and repeatability the pre-made corners provided. By eliminating on-site cutting and folding, installers could set each corner cleanly and efficiently, reducing variability and keeping the construction sequence on schedule. Once the corners were in place, Rissan® 430 Grey continued the seal around each frame, adapting to small framing variations and providing a durable barrier against air leakage and moisture.
SIGA Application Engineering Insight
“On projects with repeated window openings, the biggest gains often come from simplifying the steps installers take every day. Rissan 430 Grey and the pre-made corners were developed to reduce that friction—giving crews a predictable, repeatable way to achieve airtight results without overcomplicating the workflow.”
– Romain Thomas, Head of Application Engineering Americas, SIGA
Rissan® 430 Grey was designed with projects like this in mind. Its thicker profile helps withstand minor shifts or handling during installation without damaging the window flashing. Its impermeable material makes it suitable for both air and moisture sealing. Paired with the pre-made corners, the product simplifies window flashing, making it fast, reliable, and repeatable—critical for projects with multiple complex openings.
Architect’s Perspective — Federico Arellano, Dooling & Company Architects
Selecting materials that balance long-term performance with ease of installation was a top priority for the team. Federico Arellano, one of the architects on the project, found the product excellent and easy to work with. They specified Rissan® 430 Grey for the project after a demonstration by SIGA’s Laura Linde highlighted its benefits and practical applications.
This project highlights what many crews look for: materials that remove friction, make detailing easier, and help ensure the building performs as intended. With consistent steps at each window and door, the team was able to focus less on managing complexity and more on getting the job done right.