The overall goal of a new building for Kavia Auto Body was to create a modern, open structure that would accommodate shop space with specialized equipment. A 16,854-square-foot shop houses welding bays, wash booths, prep booths and spray booths. In addition to the shop, the facility houses a 3,723-square-foot reception area, employee lounge, offices and meeting rooms.
A metal building system was specified for its ability to be customized by size and shape, wide-open spaces with few interior columns, energy efficiency and durability. Varco Pruden Buildings supplied its Continuous Beam Frame metal building system for the 130-foot-wide by 147-foot, 11-inch-long building. The structure has interior mid-span columns at various locations. Con-Tech General Contractors Ltd., the design-builder for the project, self-performed many aspects including concrete foundations and slabs, steel erection, carpentry and metal panel installation.
Instead of wall girts and cladding, the street-facing sections were built with spandrel beams. This method enabled Con-Tech to use conventional framing methods and provide a substrate for a variety of finishes including cement board panels, acrylic stucco, corrugated metal cladding and wood veneer panels. The varied textures and contrasting colors of the exterior finishes give the building a distinct appearance. Inside, steel structure was left exposed wherever possible to create a modern, industrial aesthetic.
The metal building has a mono-sloped roof with a 1/2:12 pitch and 26-foot, 2-inch eave. Con-Tech installed 18,794 square feet of Varco Pruden Buildings’ 24-gauge Galvalume, 3-inch-high SSR system.
For walls, Con-Tech installed 5,947 square feet of Varco Pruden Buildings’ 26-gauge Vee Rib panels in Cool Arctic White. Galvalume gutters, downspouts and trim were also used. The project was completed in January 2016.
