Metal played a prominent role in the design of the first of a number of buildings at the Foster City, California campus of Gilead Sciences Incorporated.

Gilead, one of the world’s leading biotech companies, purchased the 16-building Foster City campus in 2003 and is launched its new construction initiative with the building of the new 63,260 sq. ft. lab. It was completed in mid-2007.

Designed by the San Francisco, California office of Perkins + Will, the building’s mix of materials includes 8,766 sq. ft. of UNA-CLAD™ Series 3000 Aluminum Plate Panels. Manufactured by Firestone Building Products, the .125” Silver-colored panels were installed by B.T. Mancini Co. Inc. of Milpitas, California.

The most challenging aspect with regard to the installation of the metal panels was the angled wall at one end of the building. The panels were custom-sized and shaped for this area and provide a unique look to the completed project.

XL Construction of Milpitas, CA, was the project’s general contractor.