The new Indian Hills Elementary School in Independence, Mo. has been described as one of the nicer looking elementary schools in the Kansas City area. The 68,000 square foot
(6,317 m2) facility is part of the Fort Osage R-1 School District and was designed by DLR Group, Overland Park, Kan.
Approximately 2,700 square feet (251 m2) of ProCore aluminum skinned, plastic core panels finished in Silver Metallic from Citadel Architectural Products, Indianapolis, contribute to the design success. ProCore is a field-assembled exterior cladding system.
The school district challenged DLR Group to utilize low-maintenance and durable exterior materials comparable in cost to face brick, according to Ken Graham, designer with DLR Group.
“In response we used cold-rolled metal framing and the Citadel metal composite material panels rather than load-bearing masonry and face brick,” said Graham. “We specified the two-piece extruded aluminum, low-profile system for ease of replacement and to minimize shadows in order to provide a more monolithic appearance.”
The DLR Group team searched for ways to easily mark the entrance to the single-story building. The result was a wedge-shaped entry canopy clad in the Citadel panels that provides a sense of arrival.
The Citadel ProCore panels extend into the lobby and interface with brightly colored interior accents. The school is divided into two unique areas: an activity area and an academic area that includes 34 classrooms in three wings.
Installation of the ProCore panels was done by Frazier Roofing, Grandview, Mo.
“We’ve used just about every Citadel system there is,” said Robert Frazier, Jr. of Frazier Roofing. “The installation went very smoothly and the ProCore material really presents the building well. It’s certainly one of the nicest looking elementary schools in the area.”
Indian Hills Elementary School, Independence, Mo.
General contractor: Straub Construction, Kansas City, Mo.
Installer: Frazier Roofing, Grandview, Mo.
Designer: DLR Group, Overland Park, Kan.
Citadel representative: J.D. Day & Company, Overland Park, Kan.
Manufacturer: Citadel Architectural Products Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.
