Judson University in Elgin, Ill., recently experienced some enviable challenges: continuous growth in its fledging architectural and design program had led to less classroom, meeting and office space, and the university had also outgrown its current library.
School officials came together and concluded that a new facility was needed, with one major priority—the building had to be as sustainable as possible. Judson conducted an outside competition to select the best design to meet its specifications. In doing so, the university was able to solve its unique design challenges and give its architecture students the opportunity to witness a new project from start to finish, right on campus.
Short & Associates of London was selected as the winning architect for its unique metal roof and wall panel design capabilities, its experience in reducing solar consumption and emissions, and its expertise in utilizing natural ventilation systems to increase sustainability. To create the building’s custom-fabricated wall panels and overall exterior design, Short & Associates selected Wiesbrook Sheet Metal (Elgin, Ill.) to collaborate with metal wall panel manufacturer McElroy Metal (Shreveport, La.).
Because using true copper panels for the project would have posed the risk of theft and would have increased project costs, McElroy Metal provided over 104,000 sf of 4’ x 10’ flat metal sheets with Valspar’s signature Fluropon Copper Penny coating for the wall and trim, as well as over 24,700 sf of Medallion-Lok roof panels with Valspar’s Fluropon Ash Gray coating. Valspar’s Fluropon coatings were selected not only for their durability and gloss retention, but for their high solar reflectivity and emissivity. The coatings played a key role in creating a cool metal roof, reducing the building’s energy consumption and heat island effect.
In addition to the cool metal roof, other sustainability features of the new building include exterior walls that sit four feet from the concrete structure to utilize the natural tendency of warm air to rise, creating a vacuum that draws cool air in from the bottom, circulates it and exhausts it through rooftop ventilators.
A basic mechanical heating and cooling system provides essential temperature control during the months when the natural mode isn’t possible. The building also features an integrated photovoltaic system to generate electricity, as well as landscape features that provide storm water control and increased biodiversity.
The completed four-story, 88,000-sf building is divided to serve three functions, with classroom space, academic offices/studios, and the library wing. The building areas are joined together by a bowtie-shaped link that is designed to provide additional classroom space and a gallery.
The project required six months from the mock-up until the actual installation of the Valspar Fluropon-coated wall and roof panels began, and 15 months for completion. The final result was the first truly “green” college building in the United States—achieving a Gold LEED Rating by the U.S. Green Building Council.
For more information on Valspar, visit www.valsparcoilextrusion.com.
Related Stories
Higher Education | Feb 3, 2015
Integrated Learning Neighborhoods: A solution for linking student housing with the typical student experience
Just as urban housing fits into the city as a whole, student housing can be integrated into the campus network as a series of living/learning neighborhoods, write Gensler's Brian Watson and Mark McMinn.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
5 trends transforming workplace design
RTKL's workplace design expert Jodi Williams foresees healthier and more technologically enabled offices that allow productive worker interaction, wherever they happen to be.
Architects | Feb 3, 2015
Frank Lloyd Wright’s work nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Status
If selected, Wright’s work will be the first examples of U.S. modern architecture on the list.
Contractors | Feb 3, 2015
Nonresidential construction spending expands in December 2014
Seven of 16 nonresidential construction subsectors posted increases in spending in December on a monthly basis.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
Bjarke Ingels' BIG proposes canopied, vertical village for Middle East media company
The tensile canopy shades a relaxation plaza from the desert sun.
Fire-Rated Products | Feb 3, 2015
AIA course: Fire and life safety in large buildings
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 2, 2015
D.C. developer sees apartment project as catalyst for modeling neighborhood after N.Y.'s popular High Line district
It’s no accident that the word “Highline” is in this project’s name. The goal is for the building to be a kind of gateway into the larger redevelopment of the surrounding neighborhood to resemble New York’s City’s trendy downtown Meatpacking District, through which runs a portion the High Line elevated park.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 1, 2015
7 new factors shaping hospital emergency departments
A new generation of highly efficient emergency care facilities is upping the ante on patient care and convenience while helping to reposition hospital systems within their local markets.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 31, 2015
5 intriguing trends to track in the multifamily housing game
Demand for rental apartments and condos hasn’t been this strong in years, and our experts think the multifamily sector still has legs. But you have to know what developers, tenants, and buyers are looking for to have any hope of succeeding in this fast-changing market sector.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 31, 2015
20% down?!! Survey exposes how thin renters’ wallets are
A survey of more than 25,000 adults found the renters to be more burdened by debt than homeowners and severely short of emergency savings.