The former Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital was devastated in the flooding brought on by Hurricane Katrina, leaving the residents of New Orleans East without a hospital since 2005. After years of planning, officials broke ground on the New Orleans East Hospital in January of 2013. The $130 million project, which includes extensive renovation of the East Tower and construction of a new, 71,700-square-foot Patient Care Pavilion, restored a full service hospital to the area and stands as an important achievement for post-Katrina New Orleans. CENTRIA architectural metal products were featured in the design.

To ensure that the new building was hurricane-proof, the East Tower of the hospital was strengthened to withstand winds over 130 mph, while primary electrical equipment and a new backup generator were elevated above base flood elevation lines. Designers retrofitted the structural framing system and improved the roof to withstand the uplift forces associated with hurricane winds.

CENTRIA’s products were chosen specifically for their high level of environmental sustainability and durability. Designers replaced the existing concrete exterior surface of the six-story, 133,640-square-foot East Tower with CENTRIA’s Formawall Dimension Series insulated metal panel system and curtain wall glazing.

Formawall Dimension Series utilizes CENTRIA’s advanced thermal and moisture protection (ATMP^®) technology in a single, panelized component, expediting installation time. With a factory foamed-in-place insulating core and thermal breaks between panel face and liner, the product offers outstanding thermal performance to meet the most stringent HVAC requirements in the healthcare industry.

In addition, architects chose CENTRIA’s Versawall insulated metal panels. Versawall’s lightweight, insulated metal composite panels feature concealed fasteners and are designed with double tongue-and-groove joinery. The factory foam-insulated system includes a thermal break between panel face and liner for outstanding thermal performance. The panels also provide outstanding weather resistance and were able to be installed quickly and easily.

The sleek and innovative aesthetics of CENTRIA’s panels were an integral part of the architect’s vision, contributing to the beautiful façade of the building. Ecoscreen Perforated Screenwall not only integrates with the other CENTRIA panels used, but also provides an airy aesthetic to blend the building into its surroundings.

The architect was Eskew+Dumez+Ripple of New Orleans, LA. The CENTRIA products dealer/installer was Crown Corr Inc. of Gary, IN. The contractor was The LeMoine Company of Lafayette, LA. The hospital was completed in September 2014.

CENTRIA products used on this project included:

• Versawall^® Vertical - Square Feet: 28,064; Color: Champagne Gold; Finish: Embossed; Coating: Sundance Mica; Gauge: 22

• Formawall^® Dimension Series^® 2'' Horizontal - Square Feet: 24,402; Color: Champagne Gold; Finish: Embossed; Coating: Sundance™ Mica; Gauge: 22

• EcoScreen^® Perforated Screenwall - Square Feet: 5,042