Located in Vancouver, WA, the new headquarters of Hopper Dennis and Jellison PLLC is a seamless blend of form and function. Built atop a first floor parking garage, the 17,500 sq. ft., three-story structure is light and airy, and creates a cohesive image that improves work flow for its engineering firm owner. Covering much of its exterior are ALPOLIC® aluminum composite material panels.
The $3.3 million project was designed by Johansson Architecture PC of Battle Ground, WA, and completed in June 2008. Karl Johansson, the firm’s principal, is pleased with the end result and says a variety of factors played into the overall success.
“This was a great project,” Johansson said. “The owners had a specific vision, and the site presented the opportunity to develop a successful and meaningful infill project in the core area while truly addressing the tenants’ needs.”
Featured on the exterior of the masonry and steel structure is a rainscreen metal cladding system comprised of ALPOLIC® aluminum composite metal wall panels. According to Johansson’s firm, it brought a number of benefits to the project.
“The rainscreen system was used to appearance, durability, economy and effectiveness as a water barrier,” said a project statement. “Metal products offer cost-effective solutions, ease of installation, durability and beauty.” Given the budgetary considerations, the statement continued, they were “a perfect fit.”
ALPOLIC® ACM (aluminum composite material) is manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical F.P. America Inc. of Chesapeake, VA. The material is offered in several thicknesses and be produced to features face sheets of copper, zinc and other metals. In this case, however, the standard 4mm-thick, aluminum-skinned product was chosen, with the majority of the panels modules being 6’ x 7’.
Approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of the ALPOLIC® ACM, with an Oyster-colored PVDF paint finish, was utilized on the building. The material was fabricated into panels and installed by Skyline Sheet Metal of Troutdale, OR. The project’s general contractor was Brian Wells, TEAM Construction, Vancouver.
Photographs courtesy of Johansson Architecture.