The 223,000-square-foot Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University in Phoenix features a façade with Metal Sales’ 3-inch vertical rib T23 panels in a tricolor pattern of Colonial Red, Terra Cotta and Copper Penny to reflect the FCC’s Radio Frequency Spectrum Allocation chart. The building also contains a section clad in Metal Sales’ horizontally ribbed T13-A panels in Metallic Silver, supporting a row of satellites. Metal was chosen for its recyclability and ability to be applied quickly to the building. The metal panels are designed to hold up against the warm Arizona climate and a 45-year paint warranty ensures the building will continue to look visually appealing for a long time. The glass, steel and concrete building features sunscreens and curtainwalls from KT Fabrication and structural steel from Schuff Steel Co.
The facility is a six-story, LEED Silver building and was awarded the 2010 International Architecture award by the Chicago Anthenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design in conjunction with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. It was one of only three buildings/urban planning projects from the United States to earn this venerable distinction.
“This world-class structure truly shows off the versatility of our panels,” says Steve Letnich, vice president, sales and marketing for Metal Sales. “When inspired design meets high quality, visually captivating products, the result is an outstanding architectural presentation, like that of the Walter Cronkite building.”
One notable design element is its threestory core known as “The First Amendment Forum,” a multi-tiered common area at the building’s center. This space celebrates the connectivity of communication, thus yielding functional form in the interior as well.
The multi-level facility is home to offices, retail space, restaurants, 17 media-equipped classrooms, seven computer labs and seven professional newsrooms. The building also houses one of the country’s largest PBS stations, KAET Channel Eight.
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University, Phoenix
Executive architect: HDR Architecture, Phoenix
Design architect: Ehrlich Architects, Culver City, Calif.
Builder: SUNDT Construction, Tempe, Ariz.
Curtainwall and sunscreen fabricator: KT Fabrication, Chandler, Ariz.
Metal wall panel installer: Gen3 AZ LLC, Tempe
Metal wall panels: Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp., Louisville, Ky., www.metalsales.us.com
Structural steel: Schuff Steel Co., Phoenix, www.schuff.com
