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
| Jan 26, 2012
Summit Design+Build completes law office in Chicago
Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen's new office suite features private offices, open office area, conference rooms, reception area, exposed wood beams and columns, and exposed brick.
| Jan 24, 2012
New iPad app ready for prime time
Siemens’ versatile application connects users to APOGEE BAS control and monitoring functions via wireless network connectivity. The application directly interacts with BACnet/IP and Siemens APOGEE P2 field panels.
| Jan 24, 2012
Vyhanek joins Thornton Tomasetti’s Kansas City office
Vyhanek will assemble a new MEP team in the Midwest to support Building Performance and Property Loss Consulting practices.
| Jan 24, 2012
U of M installs new lighting at Crisler Player Development Center
Energy efficient lighting installed at PDC reduce costs and improves player performance.
| Jan 24, 2012
Rockingham County Judicial Center receives USGBC Gold NC v.2.2
The Rockingham facility is the first judicial center in North Carolina to seek certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Building rating system.
| Jan 19, 2012
LEED puts the 'Gold' in Riverside golden arches
McDonald's restaurant recognized for significant energy savings.
| Jan 19, 2012
Odebrecht and Braskem bring sustainable award to U.S. university students
The Odebrecht Award for sustainable development rewards future leaders in engineering and chemistry.
| Jan 19, 2012
BOKA Powell-designed facility at Texas A&M Bryan campus
The new facility provides programs for the Texas A&M Health Science Center, the Texas Brain and Spine Institute, Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers, and Blinn College Allied Health programs.
| Jan 17, 2012
SOM Chicago wins competition to design China's Suzhou Center
The 75-level building is designed to accommodate a complex mixed-use program including office, service apartments, hotel and retail on a 37,000 sm site.
| Jan 17, 2012
FxFowle and CO Architects form joint venture
FxFowle and CO Architects creates a dynamic alliance built on a shared dedication to collaboration in process, innovation in programming, and excellence in design.