Goodwin College, East Hartford, Conn.
by Jonathan McGaha | 31 March 2010 12:00 am
A dramatic growth in the student population necessitated expansion of the campus. Without the benefit of a large endowment or alumni base, the young college saw opportunity for expansion to a neglected Brownfield site located nearby. After extensive remediation, the 30-acre (12-hectare) site overlooking the Connecticut River became home to a new 110,000-square-foot (10,219-m2) academic and administration building. Serving 2,000 students, the facility includes classrooms, laboratories, media center, a 700-seat auditorium and community rooms.
The six-story portion of the building utilized approximately 12,000 square feet (1,115 m2) of Metl-Span’s CF-32 Architectural Flat insulated panels in four complementary colors—Arabian Blue, Chromium Gray, Dove Gray and Light Gray—installed horizontally.
“We sought an iconic structure that would set the tone for the remaining development of the campus,” said Patrick Mancuso, partner at Capital Studio Architects. “We also pursued an abstract, somewhat nautical theme that would play to the dramatic riverside location and also tie to several curriculum which are ecology and marine-based.”
According to Mancuso, the Metl-Span panels soften the mass of the tower. “Another reason for using the insulated metal panel system was the reduced weight it imposed on the structure and foundation,” Mancuso said. “The water table and soil quality of the remediated site required the use of piles and grade beams so a lightweight metal stud cladding system provided a good solution.”
The Metl-Span panels were fastened to 16-gauge studs using providing brackets and two screws per stud to meet the 96 mph wind criteria required by the local building code. Panel lengths reached up to 25 feet (8 m). According to the job foreman at the installer, Advanced Performance Glass: “There was a lot of high altitude installation which probably presented the greatest challenge. High winds were ever present and the majority of the installation was done using 84-foot [26-m] boom lifts. Working at 70 feet [21 m] with 25-foot panels definitely challenged our crew. But the job turned out great and the Metl-Span panels seemed well-suited for the application.”
Construction manager: FIP Construction Inc., Cheshire, Conn.
Architect: Capital Studio Architects, East Hartford
Installer: Advanced Performance Glass Inc., South Windsor, Conn.
Metal wall panels: Metl-Span, Lewisville, Texas, www.metlspan.com
Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/projects/goodwin-college-east-hartford-conn/