The George Howard Building first opened to the public in 1978 and is home to the administrative offices for the Howard County, MD government executive branch. The building also houses additional offices focusing on everything from general public information to tourism. However, after 32 years, the building was in dire need of modernization, which led to a $23.5 million renovation in 2010 which featured architectural metal products from CENTRIA.

In addition to reconfiguring the Ellicott City, MD building to make it easier for visitors and employees alike to navigate, sustainability was a core goal of the project. Nearly every piece of the four-level building was removed and replaced with a new energy efficient alternative. Notable sustainability initiatives include: a redesigned metal exterior; an underground rain cistern beneath the entry plaza; solar panels on the roof and solar-powered street lights; a parking lot reconfigured to add 20 spaces near the building reserved for hybrid or electric vehicles; windows that work with motion sensors to control indoor lighting; and new light fixtures that are expected to save about 20 percent on energy.

CENTRIA’s Formawall® Dimension Series® was selected for the George Howard Building project because of its installation and constructability features—a must for any retrofit project—its outstanding performance, as well as its superior benefits in terms of aesthetics, sustainability and value.

A critical component of Formawall Dimension Series—intrinsic in metal as a building product in general and Formawall Dimension Series specifically—is its ease of installation and constructability. With employees temporarily relocated to other offices, it was important that the project stay on schedule.

In terms of performance, Formawall Dimension Series is the only wall system that provides both advanced thermal efficiency and moisture control in a single panelized component. CENTRIA’s Advanced Thermal and Moisture Protection (ATMP®) technology, Formawall Dimension Series provided the building team with trouble-free insulated metal composite panels installed outboard of the building’s metal studs for improved thermal barriers and moisture protection.

This wall panel system also provided benefits in terms of aesthetics. The integrated wall components and the system’s virtually unlimited possibilities in form, color and texture were important in achieving the building’s modern new look.

Finally, Formawall Dimension Series provides outstanding value with an integrated rainscreen with pressure-equalized and vented dry sealed joinery that provides long-term protection with minimal maintenance. Plus, the high strength panels offer increased span capability, saving on support costs and requiring less framing.

In addition to Formawall Dimension Series, Profile Series Concept Series® in CS-660 also contributed to the building’s contemporary feel with a dynamic asymmetrical form. These panels also provided increased engagement for a tighter joint that is virtually invisible, while allowing unprecedented design flexibility.

The project architect was The Polleo Group of Reston, VA; the CENTRIA products dealer Parkway Associates, Inc. of Rockville, MD; the CENTRIA products installer was Phillips Fabricators of Rockville, MD; and the contractor was Clark Construction of Bethesda, MD. The 98,500 sq. ft. project was completed in September 2010.

CENTRIA products used on this project included:

• Formawall® Dimension Series® 3” Horizontal. Square Feet: 10,533; Color: Champagne Gold; Coating: Sundance AM; Finish: Embossed; Gauge: 22/22.

• Profile Series Concept Series® CS-660. Square Feet: 1,577; Color: Champagne Gold; Coating: Sundance AM; Finish: Embossed; Gauge: 22.