McCown Gordon Construction, a general contractor in Kansas City, MO, recently moved out of a 1919 downtown building that it had called home since it renovated the space in 2005. The company’s continued commitment to the Kansas City community now can be seen in its new headquarters, a renovated Catholic Charities structure that had been vacant. The design transformed the building into an open and modern headquarters with a façade to match, enhanced by Anodized Aluminum Dri-Design wall panels.

“A retrofit project gives building owners the opportunity to improve the aesthetics of an existing structure while also increasing a building’s energy efficiency,” says Tyler Fowler, National Sales Director at Dri-Design. “Dri-Design wall panels are so versatile in retrofit applications with a variety of profiles available in different shapes, sizes and colors.”

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Independence, MO, installed 4,316 square feet of clear anodized Dri Design Wall Panels. Anodizing successfully combines science with nature to create one of the world’s best metal finishes. It takes the natural oxidation process and helps it along by adding electricity and chemicals to produce a dense surface that is integral with the aluminum. This process brings out the natural variation in the aluminum, with additional color alterations to be expected. This durable and beautiful finish is available in many shades and is a perfect pair with the Dri-Design system.

Paul Coussens, vice president of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal, says there were some odd-shaped soffits, which were worked out early in the shop drawing process. His crew also had to install the panels on one of the busiest streets in Kansas City, requiring advanced logistical strategies.

Coussens adds there are many reasons the company repeatedly installs Dri-Design wall panels, saying, “We have worked with Dri- Design before and find them easy to work with. The wall panels install faster and easier than other similar plate systems.”

The renovation removed the existing façade, updated the repurposed interior, and added cantilevered second and third floors.