The new Clark Middle School is located on an urban-oriented 23.75 acre site in the Mt. View section of Anchorage, Alaska. The area had experienced hard times in recent years, but is now an integral part of the city's revitalization program, situated in an up-and-coming arts and cultural district. Playing a key role in the design of the new school were architectural metal products from CENTRIA.

Built in the late 1950s, the original concrete and steel school building was woefully outdated. So starting in 2006, and working closely with the community, administration, students and parents, a new structure was built that reflects the vibrancy of the community renaissance, along with the vibrant learning environment inside the school.

Designed to accommodate more than 1,000 students in grades six through eight, the new building takes advantage of the south sloping site with a three-story approach that improves views, allows for plenty of natural light and maximizes energy efficiency.

CENTRIA’s Concept Series Concealed Fastener Profiles were selected because the product design is based upon a dynamic asymmetrical form, perfect for the school’s innovative architecture. The panels offer the flexibility to be installed vertically or horizontally and the common lock joint also allows the panels to be mixed freely for custom aesthetics.

Additional aesthetic benefits offered through the use of Concept Series were the incorporation of the school’s traditional blue and gold colors in the building’s exterior. Similarly, Concept Series’ long, uninterrupted sight lines provided a smooth, contemporary look.

In terms of actual construction, the all-weather installation capability of these CENTRIA products shortened installation time and kept the project on schedule - especially important given Anchorage’s climate. In keeping with the sustainability goals of the project, the Concept Series Concealed Fastener Profiles have received Cradle to Cradle® Certification at the Silver Level. In recent years, the U.S. Green Building Council has recognized this certification as a way for projects to earn LEED points, and Clark Middle School is LEED registered, as it embodies many of the best practices promoted by the LEED process.

The architect was McCool Carlson Green of Anchorage, AK; the CENTRIA products dealer was Snyder Architectural Systems of Gig Harbor, WA; the CENTRIA products installer was Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc. of Anchorage, AK; and the general contractor was Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc. of Anchorage, AK. The 176,000 sq. ft. project was completed in July 2009.

CENTRIA products used on Clark Middle School included:

• Concept Series® Concealed Fastener Profiles CS-200. Square Feet: 55,211; Color: Champagne Gold and Blue; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Sundance Mica and Sundance AM; Gauge: 22.

• Concept Series® Concealed Fastener Profiles CS-260. Square Feet: 7,689; Color: Champagne Gold; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Sundance AM; Gauge: 22.