The new Life Science Technology Center at Ozarks Technical Community College—South Campus in Ozark, MO had specific design requirements and specific budget limitations too. The Center houses extensive science and computer laboratories in addition to classrooms and forms the cornerstone for other campus buildings to be constructed in the future.
Among the products utilized on the exterior of the building to give it a high-tech look at an affordable price were Envelope 2000® metal composite material wall panels. Manufactured by Citadel Architectural Products Inc. of Indianapolis, IN, and featuring a Desert Sand paint finish, the panels were installed using Citadel's progressive Reveal System attachment method.
Hagerman New Urbanism of Springfield designed the new building. The firm specializes in a combination of new urbanism and modernism according to Bo Hagerman, partner and design architect on the project. “Given the purpose of the building, the college definitely wanted a ‘techy’ look. The administration also wanted a high-profile, cutting-edge image that would compete well with other educational facilities in the area,” Hagerman said. “The Citadel panels are a big part of the look.”
The firm researched several brands of metal composite materials. “The Citadel panels performed as well or better than some of the better known MCM’s and the cost was significantly less. A lot of designers like to do projects like this but many budgets just won’t allow the more expensive products. We feel we delivered a high-end look at a great value,” Hagerman reports.
Hagerman also liked the benefits of attaching the panels with the Reveal System. “I had some initial apprehension about the system because I wanted the look of a panelized system. But the Reveal System gives virtually the same appearance. And I like the fact that it’s a ‘site-built’ system so the installer can cut pieces for an exact fit and then put them in place.”
Installation of the panels was handled by Benchmark Construction, Springfield, MO. The general contractor was the Springfield division of Walton Construction Company, Kansas City.