flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

The art of the metal building system

Sponsored Content Metals

The art of the metal building system

When Knox College was in need of more space for arts education, they turned to a metal building system solution. 


By Star Building Systems | March 13, 2017

Knox College, in Galesburg IL, was in need of more space, and better space, for arts education. Fine arts had been housed with music and theater in a facility built in the early 60’s. The college had ambitions to build a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility with studios for painting, printmaking, design, sculpture, ceramics, drawing and digital art, metalworking and woodworking shops, classrooms, faculty offices, dedicated open studio space for faculty and seniors working on capstone projects, and space to display student work.

If the goal was large, the strictness of the budget was, in a sense, even more ambitious. To meet the college’s construction budget, Star Builder P.J. Hoerr, Inc. knew just what was needed. As Kirk Anderson, vice president of P.J. Hoerr, put it, “We could only do it with a metal building system.”

The college president wanted the building to have large windows, so passersby could see what the students were working on. She also suggested that, the look of the building should be able to “blend into the urban fabric” of the industrial area adjacent to the east side of the campus where the new building was to be situated. In response, Lake/Flato Architects created a unique and striking design with a sawtooth roofline and exciting interior spaces that encourage creativity.

The new Whitcomb Arts Building, a 30,000 sf facility, is actually five metal buildings connected together, custom made by Star Building Systems. About 70% of its footprint is divided by mezzanines into two floors. There are major double-height areas, to provide pinup space for large work, a ‘critique hall.’ There is a lecture hall that accommodates large gatherings and receptions for student work. Facilities for both cutting edge and historical art media include computer labs and film development rooms.

From the builder’s standpoint, it was a very unusual project. “Typically, a metal building is one big box,” explains Anderson. “The unique shape of the building, with parts of the roof having a 24:12 pitch, created some interesting challenges.”

 

 

The project was built with a target of LEED gold certification (a final decision on its actual LEED status is still forthcoming), which led to a number of innovative design choices. There had been an older building on the site that was the property of a lumber yard. It was demolished for the new construction, but a significant quantity of wood was reclaimed from that building and re-used in the Whitcomb Arts Building. Classroom spaces, for example, are divided by barn-door style doors made of that reclaimed wood. Other sustainable aspects include extensive use of daylighting, and storm water retention system of bio-swales whose plantings help process and breakdown pollutants in the run-off. 

 

 

Perhaps most unusual for a metal building is the massive amount of glass. Approximately 40% of the exterior is glass, bringing in a good deal of natural light. The unusually high-pitched, asymmetrical roofs also have skylights. To control sunlight on the west side of the building, the windows can be covered by large, barn-door-mounted perforated metal panels. 

The exterior evokes a kind of idealized industrial complex. The rhythmic saw-tooth roofline makes the entire building looking like a single, vast, gleaming machine. The metal standing-seam roof, made with MBCI galvalume-coated roof panels, is echoed on about 20% of the exterior walls, as well, emphasizing industrial roots. The clusters of rectangular glass, and accents of reclaimed brick and reclaimed wood, take it beyond the utilitarian reference, an evolution into something more sophisticated and complex. 

The Whitcomb Arts Building project began in November, 2015, and was substantially completed by October 2016 at a cost of $7 million. Star Building Systems made the buildings, and P.J. Hoerr was general contractor, self-performing substantial amounts of the work including the concrete, steel erection, metal cladding, and finish carpentry. P.J. Hoerr, Inc. was named Star Building Systems’ Master Builder of the Year for 2016 for this project. The building was fully opened for student use in January 2017.

 

 

 

Tags

Related Stories

Sponsored | Cladding and Facade Systems | Mar 15, 2023

Metal cladding trends and innovations

Metal cladding is on a growth trajectory globally. This is reflected in rising demand for rainscreen cladding and architectural metal coatings. This course covers the latest trends and innovations in the metal cladding market. 

Codes | Mar 2, 2023

Biden Administration’s proposed building materials rules increase domestic requirements

The Biden Administration’s proposal on building materials rules used on federal construction and federally funded state and local buildings would significantly boost the made-in-America mandate. In the past, products could qualify as domestically made if at least 55% of the value of their components were from the U.S. 

AEC Innovators | Feb 28, 2023

Meet the 'urban miner' who is rethinking how we deconstruct and reuse buildings

New Horizon Urban Mining, a demolition firm in the Netherlands, has hitched its business model to construction materials recycling. It's plan: deconstruct buildings and infrastructure and sell the building products for reuse in new construction. New Horizon and its Founder Michel Baars have been named 2023 AEC Innovators by Building Design+Construction editors.

Sponsored | Metals | Jan 16, 2023

Breaking The Mold: ALPOLIC MCM Accomplishes A+ Design for Ohio School

From the start, the vision for Dayton’s Northridge Local Schools included a standout architectural element. Taking inspiration from the polar bear mascot, Levin Porter Architects created an unforgettable iceberg feature with the help of ALPOLIC. Custom white MCM panels shimmer and provide a local landmark for the community.

75 Top Building Products | Nov 30, 2022

75 top building products for 2022

Each year, the Building Design+Construction editorial team evaluates the vast universe of new and updated products, materials, and systems for the U.S. building design and construction market. The best-of-the-best products make up our annual 75 Top Products report. 

Sponsored | Metals | Nov 10, 2022

Largest Tulip Bulb Forcing Farm Rebuilds from Ground Up

Metl-Span insulated metal panels delivered the optimal solution for the new Pioneer Flower Farms facility to rebuild after a fire. The warehouse included the installation of movable freezers and cold storage areas.

Sponsored | Metals | Nov 9, 2022

Making a Difference: Lakeshore Lofts Brings Sustainability and Support with Inspiring Designs

Lakeshore Lofts sets a new standard for affordable housing providing expansive services and support and inspiring sustainable design made possible with ALPOLIC.

Building Materials | Nov 2, 2022

Design for Freedom: Ending slavery and child labor in the global building materials sector

Sharon Prince, Founder and CEO of Grace Farms and Design for Freedom, discusses DFF's report on slavery and enforced child labor in building products and materials.

Sponsored | Metals | Oct 13, 2022

The Benefits of Insulated Metal Panels Over Tilt-Up Walls

When it comes time to choose a building envelope material, project teams can select from a wide array of options. Tilt-up walls can offer some savings, but one system leads the industry for installation, energy, and cost efficiencies: Insulated metal panels.  

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021