Renovations and an addition to the Clemson Littlejohn Coliseum at Clemson University utilized the uniquely multi-purpose capabilities of CENTRIA’s Formawall® Dimension Series® insulated metal panels. Addressing both aesthetic and technical challenges, these metal panels in Arctic Ice and Slate Grey, in addition to IW Series rainscreen panels in Midnight Bronze, improved the building’s overall appearance and the fan experience at the arena.
“The existing Coliseum was constructed with exposed steel columns and exterior wall plates, and over the years had patinated to a dull rust color, leaving heavy stains on the concrete pedestrian apron that surrounded the facility,” said Scott May, Principal at LS3P, the architecture firm responsible for the design. “The exterior steel cladding plates were originally uninsulated, which transferred a tremendous amount of radiant heat into the facility. CENTRIA’s insulated metal panels offered an opportunity to not only clad the facility in an insulated skin, but possessed both colors and textures to unify the building façades and impart a contemporary aesthetic.”
The previous building addition, completed in the mid-2000s, was not of sufficient size to accommodate the university’s growing sports program, and there was an opportunity for the new addition to provide a cohesive aesthetic to the overall structure, which spans 220,000 square feet. The Formawall Dimension Series panels, which feature an embossed finish and are coated with Fluorofinish®, were able to achieve the desired project aesthetics with a limited number of panels, diminishing the likelihood of air or water infiltration in addition to providing the desired level of insulation.
The architect also specified Super-Rib and Style-Rib exposed fastener rainscreen panels, both coated with Duraguard® in a smooth finish. CENTRIA was also responsible for custom flashings, custom louvers, and custom ACM per the design requirements. Throughout the multifaceted process, all involved parties were in close contact to achieve the project goals in a timely fashion – a critical part of the overall schedule, which was expedited by the university’s sports season.
“Through a series of design studies, the team collaborated with both the athletics director and the campus planner to develop the facility design that reflected the character of the campus precinct in which the facility was located, and the aspirations of the Athletics Department,” said May. “This level of collaboration extended to the choice of metal panels: The LS3P-led design team had used CENTRIA insulated metal panels on several previous commissions, and the team was familiar with the array of available panel offerings, colors, and properties. We evaluated a number of products, but returned to CENTRIA not only for its familiarity and price point, but also because a trusted installer familiar with CENTRIA was brought on by the construction manager to complete the installation. This combination of factors made sense for the Coliseum.”
The project’s general contractor was Turner Construction Inc. and the dealer/installer was Steel Clad Inc. The Coliseum was completed in September of 2016.