Located on the school’s Northfield, MN campus, the Weitz Center for Creativity encourages creativity not only in the arts but across Carleton College’s entire curriculum. The LEED Gold project was created by renovating and expanding a former middle school, with newly constructed elements clad in DRI-DESIGN metal panels from Holland, MI-based Dri-Design.
“This facility, designed with imagination and care, will be key to ensuring that Carleton delivers a liberal arts education that includes a high level of visual literacy and an understanding of the role that creativity plays in all disciplines,” said Steven Poskanzer, the institution’s president.
Now the school’s third LEED Gold building, the Weitz Center for Creativity was designed by Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle LTD (MSR) of Minneapolis. The firm is known for its renovation and adaptive re-use work.
Approximately 11,000 sq. ft. of DRI-DESIGN .080 aluminum panels finished in Charcoal Gray was used to clad the new construction portion of the project, which is linked with a historic middle school complex that had adjoining buildings from three different eras.
“The material choice for the new building had a lot to do with being different from the historic structures that had used a variety of styles and masonry,” said Thomas Meyer, principal at MSR. “That’s where the DRI-DESIGN came in. By using a modern, clean material, we were able to transform the identity of a tired old middle school to the sophisticated level of a contemporary liberal arts college.”
The DRI-DESIGN system was installed by MG McGrath, Maplewood, MN.
Pegasus Group provided owner representation and project management services; the McGough Companies served as construction manager and general contractor. Both firms are located in St. Paul, MN.
DRI-DESIGN panels are 100% recyclable and can be made from a variety of materials including zinc, copper, stainless steel and painted and anodized aluminum. Panels are available in any Kynar color and are sized and detailed to meet the specific requirements of each project. Recognized for its economical cost compared to traditional rainscreen systems, DRI-DESIGN is Dade County and AAMA 508-07 approved.
Photographs by Mark Kempf, St. Louis, MO