flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Transformative Sustainable Redesign for the Bright Minds of the Future

Sponsored Content Metals

Transformative Sustainable Redesign for the Bright Minds of the Future

Without interrupting the academics of students at Fleming College, the team at Gow Hastings Architects modernized this decades-old campus building. The new energy-efficient A-Wing is a revelation in sustainability with a gorgeous design centered on natural light and openness made possible with ALPOLIC metal composite materials. 


By ALPOLIC Metal Composite Materials | April 10, 2023
Perforated ALPOLIC metal composite materials in different white and yellow finishes, installed on Fleming College's A Wing

Tiny perforations in the ALPOLIC MCM panels help regulate natural light inside the A Wing building at Fleming College.

As programs of study in higher education must evolve to better prepare students for their chosen careers, so also must the environments in which they learn. Ontario’s Fleming College, established in the late 1960s, realized the need for a full overhaul of its main campus to stay competitive and to accommodate nearly seventeen thousand full and part-time students. 

Commissioned to renovate the Sutherland Campus A-Wing building, the architectural firm Gow Hastings faced the challenge of renovation while students and faculty continued to use the facilities. Modernizing classrooms to provide updated curricula and common areas for comfort in study required a thorough evaluation of the building. 

As originally built, the A-Wing lacked color and opportunities for natural lighting to brighten the interior. The previous dark brown cladding on the exterior, while consistent with the college’s environmental surroundings, appeared outdated and moody. One of the first steps in the revitalization involved stripping away the entire envelope down to its steel frames for a retrofit. During the specification of materials, the architects chose ALPOLIC MCM.

Easy to perforate and install, ALPOLIC metal composite materials allow for regulation of natural light
The inclusion of natural light in the building's renovation was a critical design point, and perforated ALPOLIC MCM helped achieve it.

 

Nearly Limitless Design with Endless Finishes and Fabrication Possibilities


Thanks to a solid partnership with Sherwin Williams Coil Coatings, ALPOLIC’s ability to produce any hue onto their metal composite materials presented the Gow Hastings team with the desired colors for this project. Nearly 40,000 square feet of MCM in nine different finishes–including five different whites, two shades of yellow, charcoal, and Mica Anodic Clear–were fabricated and installed. 

Nine different ALPOLIC metal composite material finishes clad the renovated exterior of Fleming College's A Wing building
Multiple white and yellow ALPOLIC finishes were installed at different angles to create a stunning accordion effect.

Rather than retrofit flat panels throughout the envelope as in the original design, Gow Hastings envisioned sections of the building with the MCM installed at different angles to create a visually stunning accordion effect. Panels installed over smaller windows were also perforated to draw natural light into the building, an attractive complement to the addition of floor-to-ceiling windows in the common pavilion areas.

ALPOLIC MCM cladding on the renovated envelope of Fleming College A Wing building, installed at angles for aesthetic design
The renovated exterior of Fleming College's A Wing building features ALPOLIC metal composite materials in multiple colors.

The result presented a cheerful, colorful exterior indicative of the contemporary image Fleming College wished to project. Since its completion in 2020, the A-Wing Building has received several distinctions, among them recognition as a Finalist in the Public Space Design category of the 2021 SBID Awards and a Merit Award in ARCHITECT’s 2023 Architecture and Interiors Award for Adaptive Reuse.

 

MCM is Ideal for Retrofit Architectural Projects

Often, the decision to retrofit is inspired by a dedication to green building. To bring an older building up to current energy code standards, wrapping the building in continuous insulation and cladding with MCM delivers both energy efficiency and visual appeal. ALPOLIC’s virtually 100% recyclable materials are manufactured with sustainability in mind and come with some of the industry’s best finish warranties.

Retrofitting projects, as opposed to a complete tear-down and rebuild, is not only better for the environment but it can save money in the long run. Redesign with sustainable MCM and the cost savings can add up quickly—less upfront cost, low maintenance costs, less construction time, and the potential for improved energy efficiency. Composite is the ideal choice because of its design flexibility and the variety of colors and finishes.

Cladding existing facades with ALPOLIC MCM injects new life into a project and contributes to its increased energy efficiency and safety. As exemplified by Fleming College’s A Wing, the application of ALPOLIC metal composite materials modernizes a building’s appearance and the reputation of the campus. With infinite colors available, and the best warranty in the industry, ALPOLIC puts on a fresh, lasting face.

For more information on design and specification of MCM in contemporary architecture, schedule an AIA Lunch and Learn session. ALPOLIC presently offers four free accredited AIA/CES Learning Units (HSW).

 

Company Information:

ALPOLIC

ALPOLIC Metal Composite Materials
800.422.7270
info@alpolic.com
www.alpolic-americas.com

Related Stories

Sponsored | | Sep 30, 2014

How project managers can manage technology

Not long ago, the role of a construction project manager revolved around working with people: employees, vendors, consultants, designers, subcontractors and owners. Today, project managers primarily manage information. SPONSORED CONTENT

| Sep 24, 2014

5 business lessons from a 43-year Star veteran

Mary Ed Cain was supposed to be born a boy. That was the first time she surprised everyone. The second time came on a daily basis during her 43-year career at Star Building Systems. SPONSORED CONTENT

| Jul 21, 2014

16 utility questions to answer during your building project

We need electricity to power our building projects, along with water and gas and a faultless sanitation system. That’s what we think about when we think about utility requirements for our building project, but are we missing something? SPONSORED CONTENT

Sponsored | | Jul 17, 2014

A major hop forward

The construction of efficient metal buildings has helped Perrault Farms expand its hops-harvesting business.

| Jul 17, 2014

22 land questions to decide if your build site works

When you’re ready to build, land needs a serious amount of attention. Since it can singlehandedly shift your building plans, land must be investigated, questioned, and eyed from every angle. SPONSORED CONTENT

| Jul 9, 2014

The one misstep that could be slowing your company’s growth

Change. It’s inevitable. And success for any professional may very well depend on how well we adapt to it. SPONSORED CONTENT

| May 27, 2014

Contractors survey reveals improving construction market

The construction industry is on the road to recovery, according to a new survey by Metal Construction News. Most metrics improved from the previous year’s survey, including a 19.4% increase in the average annual gross contracting sales volume. SPONSORED CONTENT

| May 11, 2014

8 starter questions to answer when thinking about building

So, are you ready to start building? Completing these eight questions will help you answer that confidently. SPONSORED CONTENT

| Apr 25, 2014

A radiant barrier FAQ: Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

There are many examples of materials developed for the space program making their way into everyday life and radiant barriers are just that. SPONSORED CONTENT

| Apr 17, 2014

6 details that can throw off your schedule

In 1997, Apple told us to “Think Different.” So we did. We thought about what could happen if the world went mobile, if information was boundless, if we could carry our office in our back pocket. We’ve grown to love different and to expect change. And when it comes to Apple products, that’s not such a bad thing. When it comes to your building order, however, it’s not nearly as appealing.

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