In 1959 the Milwaukee Housing Authority built Convent Hill, a public housing complex for low-income senior citizens. Today, on that same site stands the new Convent Hill, a 10-story complex of 120 apartments, two retail spaces on the ground floor, a neighborhood computer lab and a Milwaukee County meal program open to those who live in the Milwaukee, WI, urban neighborhood at which Convent Hill is the center. Featured on the new facility are architectural metal products from CENTRIA.

The Milwaukee Housing Authority has made it part of its mission to not only embrace, but advance new levels of sustainable design and technology. Some examples of this commitment in Convent Hill include five separate “green” roofs totaling nearly 12,000 square feet, including a 1,400-square-foot decorative, landscaped terrace with irrigation system. Because of their aesthetic appeal and performance in advance thermal and moisture protection, architectural metal wall systems, manufactured by CENTRIA, were the obvious choice for this project.

CENTRIA’s Formawall Dimension Series provided the structure with advanced thermal efficiency and moisture control in a single panelized component; the concealed clips and fasteners also helped to provide a clean, uninterrupted outer shell. The use of both horizontal and vertical profiles gave the structure a unique, contemporary appearance. Formawall Dimension Series also offers strength and durability to withstand drastic climate changes and is the first-ever exterior wall system to earn Cradle-to-Cradle Silver CertificationCM.

The CENTRIA Concept Series concealed fastener panels provided a way to achieve a clean, unbroken appearance with interesting visual effects while staying within the project’s budget. The speed and ease with which the panels can be installed also helped to control costs. Finally, the Concept Series single-skin panels were also an environmentally responsible design option for the building team as this wall system is also Cradle-to-Cradle Certified at the Silver level.

The architect for Convent Hill was The Zimmerman Design Group of Milwaukee, WI; the CENTRIA products dealer was G&L Associates of Des Moines, IA; the CENTRIA products installer was TRS Metal & Roofing LLC of Waukesha, WI; and the general contractor was Gilbane Building Co. of Milwaukee, WI. The project was completed in July 2009.

CENTRIA products used on the Convent Hill project included:

• Formawall® Dimension Series® 2” Horizontal. Square feet: 17,189; Color: Charcoal Gray; Finish: Embossed; Coating: Fluorofinish; Gauge: 22/26.

• Formawall® Dimension Series® 2” Horizontal. Square feet: 13,109; Color: Copper Penny; Finish: Embossed; Coating: Sundance AM; Gauge: 22/26.

• Formawall® Dimension Series® 3” Vertical. Square feet: 3,007; Color: Weathered Zinc; Finish: Embossed; Coating: Sundance Mica; Gauge: 22/26.

• DS60 2” Horizontal. Square feet: 8,180; Finish: Embossed; Gauge: 22/26.

• Concept Series® CS-210E with MicroSeam® Corners. Square feet: 1,595; Finish: Embossed; Gauge: 22.

• Concept Series® CS-260E. Square feet: 1,303; Finish: Embossed; Gauge: 22.