A dramatic growth in the student population at Goodwin College, East Hartford, CT, necessitated expansion of the campus. Without the benefit of a large endowment or alumni base, this young college saw opportunity for expansion to a neglected brownfield site located nearby. After extensive remediation, the 30-acre site overlooking the Connecticut River became home to a new 110,000 sq. ft. academic and administration building. Serving 2,000 students, the facility includes classrooms, laboratories, media center, a 700-seat auditorium and community rooms.
The six-story portion of the building utilizes approximately 12,000 sq. ft. of Metl-Span’s CF-32 Architectural Flat insulated panels installed horizontally. The design also called for the panels to be finished in four complementary colors including Arabian Blue, Chromium Gray, Dove Gray and Light Gray.
Design for the project was provided by Capital Studio Architects, East Hartford. “We sought an iconic structure that would set the tone for the remaining development of the campus,” said Patrick Mancuso, partner. “We also pursued an abstract, somewhat nautical theme that would play to the dramatic riverside location and also tie to several curriculum which are ecology and marine-based.”
The Metl-Span panels soften the mass of the tower, according to Mancuso. “Another reason for using the insulated metal panel system was the reduced weight it imposed on the structure and foundation,” Mancuso said. “The water table and soil quality of the remediated site required the use of piles and grade beams so a light weight metal stud cladding system provided a good solution.”
Installation of the Metl-Span panels was done by Advanced Performance Glass, Inc., South Windsor, CT. The panels were fastened to 16 gauge studs using provided brackets and two screws per stud in order to meet the 96 mph wind criteria required by the local building code. Panel lengths reached 25 feet. According to the job foreman at Advanced Performance Glass, “There was a lot of high altitude installation which probably presented the greatest challenge. High winds were ever present and the majority of the installation was done using 84 foot boom lifts. Working at 70 feet with 25 foot panels definitely challenged our crew. But the job turned out great and the Metl-Span panels seemed well suited for the application.”
The construction manager on the project was FIP Construction, Inc., Cheshire, CT.