Commercial Architecture March 2016 - (Page 25)

PROJECT ACM Panels, Prismatic Finish Focus Community's Attention exteriors Alpolic materials clad a library exterior in dramatic form. T he Wolf Creek neighborhood in a southwest sub- library collections, with integrated yet distinct reading ar- urb of Atlanta needed a central place for hanging eas for adults, teens, and children. A sweeping corridor to out, enjoying the company and creative efforts the right leads to two conference/classrooms and a music of one's neighbors, engaging in civic dialog, and accessing room suitable for rehearsing, composing, and performing. resources for people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. A café doubles as a cozy space to enjoy author talks. The Wolf Creek Library, part of a voter-approved The main library and reading room features an expan- $275-million program to enhance existing libraries and sive curved-glass curtainwall that frames the forest and build eight new branches in Fulton County, GA, has be- lake behind the building. The glazing brings the outside come just that. The LEED Silver-certified, steel-frame in, while, just beyond, a porch-like reading area with ter- building provides 25,000 sq. ft. of multipurpose spaces, all raced seating allows patrons to take the library experience flowing together on a single, pedestrian-friendly level. Its literally outdoors to a beautiful and peaceful natural set- dramatic exterior form and setting has come to define the ting. From this perspective, the building makes a second neighborhood and provide a gathering point. upward gesture toward the sky, with fiber-cement panels in Top. Outside Atlanta, the LEED Silver-certified Wolf Creek Library provides 25,000 sq. ft. of multipurpose spaces, all flowing together on a single, pedestrian-friendly level. Its dramatic exterior form and setting has come to define the neighborhood. The building dominates the summit of a wooded ridge- a bronze finish used for the main cladding. Mullions, can- top that rises above and beyond the road. The front of the opies, and sunshades have an anodized-aluminum finish building faces a golf course, while the rear overlooks a for a raw, metallic look that complements the building's small lake in the woods. Avery Sarden, vice president and red-copper and bronze tones. Tying all these elements to- director of operations, managed the project for Leo A Daly gether are walls of stacked stone joining the bold front and was around it. Copper, with its patina, in the long view, architects, Atlanta. He recalled the goals for transforming the more elegant and airy rear of the building, suggesting a would not have provided that for us." the prominent location. "The charge for us was to create an rocky outcropping of the site's ridgeline setting. Above. The main library and reading room features an expansive curvedglass curtainwall that frames the forest and lake behind the building. The prismatic finish does what copper never could. iconic image for the community and a destination place," Sarden described the effect: "With changing daylight and Sarden said, "something that would be recognizable and THE ABILITY TO BE CREATIVE seasons, the prismatic 'magma' finish morphs from an ar- be part of the catalyst for the community's future growth. In this natural setting, material and color selections were resting red that boldly contrasts with the building's natural To reinvigorate and energize the community sense." crucial to achieving the right balance between blending setting to an autumnal orange that complements it. The in and attracting attention. For the front façade and en- secondary color of satin-anodized aluminum completes AN INVITATION TO EXPLORE tryway, the architects originally considered natural copper, the connection with nature, transitioning to natural stone Approaching the building from the road, it is instantly but didn't want the green patina that develops as copper that seems to anchor the building to the earth." recognizable in its wooded setting, but seemingly part of ages. So they turned to other materials and found a per- Bhrett Kistler, president of Kistler McDougall Corp., it. The imposing front façade, clad in a rainscreen of Alpo- fect choice in the workability and finish selection available Woodstock, GA, the panel fabricator and installer, agreed, lic materials from Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America with Alpolic ACM. "By using a vibrant and appealing color palette with visu- Inc., Chesapeake, VA, seems to extend the ridgeline to the Compared with sheet metal, Sarden explained, "Its per- ally striking forms, the designers created a compelling ar- sky in a dramatic upward gesture from right to left. The formance is outstanding, frankly, when you're talking chitectural structure that squashes the notion of drab, colors of the 4-mm fire-retardant aluminum composite about building skins. [It gives the architect] the ability to monolithic libraries of the past. The resulting space draws material appear to shift from deep red to a coppery orange, be creative, the ability to generate new forms, the colors. people in." CA depending on the time, the season, and the vantage point. It's very nice material." It holds a dramatic presence on a broadly wooded land- Opposed to copper, "Alpolic materials provided a more scape, but feels like it belongs there. And it invites those affordable alternative that's also lighter, more stable, and outside to enter and to explore. easier to fabricate," he added. As you proceed through the entryway in the building's The finish chosen for the front facade and entryway is main façade, the interior space immediately opens up. The prismatic "magma" using Valspar's (Salem, NH) Valflon swooping roofline houses an expansive community meet- paint, based on the durable and shade-stable Lumiflon ing room that seats 125 people, or can be divided into FEVE fluoropolymer resin. This finish evoked the original smaller spaces as needed. The other end of the front-facing copper intent, but offered a more vibrant experience. "We structure houses videoconferencing and web-based learn- wanted the shimmer, we wanted the reflectivity, we wanted ing facilities, as well as offices for the administrative staff. the shifting colors" Sarden said. "We wanted a material Further on is an entryway into the main lobby and the Want more information? The resources below are linked on our website at commercialarchitecturemagazine.com and our digital magazine at commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/digital/ mar2016. Circle 5 on the Reader Service Card. Find out more about prismatic-finish panels. Gather information on types of prismatic finishes. that would mirror back and reflect the natural setting that commercialarchitecturemagazine.com MARCH 2016 COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE 25 http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/digital/mar2016 https://www.cdsreportnow.com/bgs/search?CBP0005201603 http://www.alpolic-americas.com/sites/default/files/fr_Arch_Prismatic.pdf http://www.alpolic-americas.com/sites/default/files/ProgramPrismatic1.pdf http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture March 2016

Table of Contents
Editor's Notebook
The Architects: Design For Authenticity
Thriving On Change
Ken's View
Facial Recognition Enhances Museum Experience
Building Technology Products
LEDS Brighten Facility From Front To Back
Lighting & Electrical Products
ACM Panels, Prismatic Finish Focus Community's Attention
Pine Workshop Boosts Fence Building
Exteriors Products
Water Gets A Boost
HVAC & Plumbing Products
Polished Concrete Provides Solid Footing
Feature Wall Welcomes Travelers
Interiors Products
Franklin's Kite Reimagined As Glazed Facade
Renovation Recaptures Original Design
Windows & Doors Products
Showcase
Index

Commercial Architecture March 2016