flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Colorful corrugated wall panels provide bright new look for community library

Sponsored Content Metals

Colorful corrugated wall panels provide bright new look for community library

Approximately 2,600 sq. ft. of PAC-CLAD 7/8” Corrugated Panels in five different colors was just what the design team was looking for.


By Petersen Aluminum | April 28, 2017

The new Sharpsburg Community Library in Sharpsburg, Pa., is making a splash in this small town a few miles north of Pittsburgh. Instead of the one-story concrete block building library patrons previously frequented, they now have a vivid, multi-colored facility that has become a highlight of the town.

The architectural design, created by Front Studio Architects in Pittsburgh, offers an exterior featuring bold geometric shapes and bright colors. “It would be hard to miss the building’s new design,” said library director Kathy Amrhein. Front Studio principal Art Lubetz elaborated, saying, “Color is the easiest button to push to get an emotional response.”

Front Studio Architects initially was hired to design an addition on the back of the existing library building. “But it was such an unattractive structure that we just couldn’t do it. So we came up with the idea of literally surrounding the building with simple, elemental blocks that would be individually colored so that we would have this pulsating, dynamic structure,” Lubetz said.

Approximately 2,600 sq. ft. of PAC-CLAD 7/8” Corrugated Panels in five different colors was just what the design team was looking for. The .032” aluminum panels were finished in Copper Penny, Silver, Cardinal Red, Award Blue and Patina Green.

 

 

The decision to use metal as the primary exterior façade material was made fairly early in the design process. “As soon as we knew we wanted the building to be colorful, metal became the obvious choice for the exterior,” Lubetz said. “We had an extremely minimal budget for the project. PAC-CLAD corrugated metal would be the most economical, long-lasting material we could use. We got involved with Petersen because we like their colors. The contractor bid it out and the price was right.”

Durability and low maintenance were key factors, too. “The longevity of the product was important,” Lubetz said. “This is a little tiny library with little tiny budgets. We knew the PAC-CLAD corrugated wouldn’t require much attention in terms of maintenance. That’s another strong reason we used it.”

Installation of Petersen’s PAC-CLAD material was done by general contractor Franjo Construction in Pittsburgh. Project manager Skip Stein likes the look of the new building. “It certainly sets itself apart from the other construction in the area. It’s almost an amusement park appearance that the kids really like. The architect really did a nice job of mixing and matching the colors,” Stein said.

Corrugated metal continues to be a popular architectural material, Stein notes. “We see corrugated popping up all over the place. This job was relatively straightforward, although the building was irregular and didn’t have many 90-degree corners. That made installation of some of the outside corners a little challenging. But the corrugated really turned out great.”

Architect Lubetz agreed. “I couldn’t be happier with the way the project turned out. And the use of the PAC-CLAD had a lot to do with it,” he said.

The Petersen distributor on the project was Brock Associates in Pittsburgh.

Petersen is long-recognized for its PAC-CLAD metal standing seam roofing products, and also offers metal wall panels including exposed fastener panels, flush panels, composite wall panels, fascia and coping systems, and column covers. All provide the well-known Petersen quality and are available in full 70% PVDF finish in 45 colors on steel and aluminum. Most colors meet LEED, Energy Star and Cool Roof Rating Council certification requirements.

For more information on the complete line of Petersen metal products, call 800-PAC-CLAD or visit pac-clad.com

Tags

Related Stories

Metals | Jun 9, 2016

12 projects win 2016 North American Copper in Architecture Award

The award recognizes new and existing building projects in the United States and Canada for their outstanding use of architectural copper and copper alloys.

Sponsored | Metals | May 13, 2016

Coil-coated metals create awe-inspiring projects

Pre-painted metals can be printed, embossed, or striped for special visual effects.

Sponsored | Metals | Apr 11, 2016

MBMA works with Underwriter’s Laboratory to fire test metal buildings

The fire safety of metal building systems is crucial. The ability of a metal building to prevent or slow down the spread of fire protects the structure and saves occupants' lives.

Sponsored | Metals | Feb 2, 2016

What is the Dollar Value of Speed?

Speed has a real impact on the bottom line, in ways that are obvious and in some that you might not be aware of.

Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016

Metal Roofing Seaming Guide published by Metal Construction Association

The free document is specifically tailored for metal roof installation.

Metals | Jan 19, 2016

6 ways to use metal screens and mesh for best effect

From airy façades to wire mesh ceilings to screening walls, these projects show off the design possibilities with metal.

Sponsored | Metals | Jan 13, 2016

Audubon National Wildlife Refuge & Visitors Center gets a LEED worthy renovation

After many years of use, the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters and Vistiors Center had developed some serious health and safety problems and needed to be replaced.

Sponsored | Metals | Dec 23, 2015

Taking the LEED in Construction

LEED is a rating system that allows a building to score points for doing things more sustainably, in a variety of ways. There are different kinds of LEED points that relate to materials, energy consumption, jobsite sustainability, and more. 

Sponsored | Metals | Nov 5, 2015

Metal building maintenance is essential

Inspect, repair damages, and clean the building

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