Architects for the new buildings at the Manchester (NH) Municipal Complex were searching for a metal panel that provided an aesthetic that worked with the mostly brick design. They found it in the offerings from Morin, A Kingspan Group Company.
“Honestly, the reason we went with MORIN had a lot to do with the profile,” said Chris Drobat, AIA, LEED AP, president of Lavallee Brensinger Architects, Manchester, NH. “The MORIN (Matrix Series®) panel has a square edge compared to what other manufacturers offer. The look of the panel created nice shadow lines. With other panels, we couldn’t get that straight contrast. It’s got depth, when you get close to it, you can see it’s a rich panel. That was the primary driver that led us to MORIN.”
Drobat noticed some other buildings on campus had a “corduroy” appearance and the MX 1.0 wall panel, installed vertically, provided that desired look. “It’s a durable panel and with the height of the bends and the metallic finish, it gave the building a refined look,” he said. “It’s durable and cost-effective.”
The MX 1.0 panel, in 22-gauge Galvalume, was installed on both the Administration Building (6,400 square feet) and the Police Station (6,250 square feet). MORIN’s F-12-S panels were also used on both buildings as accent pieces; 150 square feet in 22-gauge Galvalume on the Administration Building and 600 square feet in 22-gauge Galvalume around the windows on the Police Station. The color for all MORIN panels used on this project was Silversmith Mica.
“This was the first time we’ve worked with this MORIN panel,” said Brian Hoey, project manager for Brookside Co. Inc. “The side joints were similar to other panels we’ve worked with, so it went together easily. And looks great.”
The panels were installed by Bennett Siding Inc. of Londonderry, NH, over newly installed insulation and furring.
The MX 1.0 panel has a depth of 1-1/2 inches and is 12 inches wide. It’s available in standard lengths measuring anywhere from 5 to 30 feet. The Morin Matrix Series® MX 1.0 can be installed vertically or horizontally.
Photographs ©Joseph St. Pierre