Like every project, time and money were considerations when choosing building materials. Ultimately, insulated metal panels helped make their vision a reality.
IMPs consist of an outer skin that serves as either metal wall siding or metal roofing, and an inner face that serves as a metal interior finish or liner, with insulation sandwiched between these metal skins.
Designing a $100 million, 256,000 square-foot, six-story building that serves both historic downtown Blacksburg, Virginia and Virginia Tech University was no easy feat for Hanbury Architects and developer, W.M. Jordan Company.
The structure’s forward-looking design begins with its exterior, where metal wall panels are arranged in a complex pattern that helps break up the mass of the 45,000-sq.-ft. structure and sets it apart from the typical high school gym.
A new station opens up the department to the surrounding community, both visually and literally, thanks to its substantial meeting space. It also features a classic design highlighted by metal roof panels and wall highlights that will help ease maintenance for decades to come.
A new 290-unit apartment building called Parc Haven Apartments is one of the standout additions. It features industrial-style metal cladding that references the train tracks it adjoins, along with colorful metal panel highlights that nod to the park’s signature sculpture sited directly across the street.
The building had evolved with a collection of additions and renovations – the goal was to preserve many of its architectural elements, including large window openings, some of which had been infilled.
The K-Roc panels utilize a mineral fiber insulation core which is best suited for fire protection. The 8-inch panel achieved a 3-hour rating based on ASTM E119/ULC-S101 testing.
Designing and constructing a structure involves much more than the project’s immediate needs and costs. Rising regulatory pressure and shifting market trends mean firms must pay more attention to how their choices impact long-term building performance.
