The design of the new Pattengill Middle School in Lansing, MI is intended to provide a flagship look for future Lansing School District facilities. The 200,000 sq. ft., 850-student institution delivers a “high tech, modern, up-to-date look” according to architect Jay Van Duren of GMB Architects, Holland, MI.

Approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of Dri-Design® panels in two panel sizes and gauges were utilized: 24” x 24” panels in .063" aluminum and 24” x 48” panels in .080" aluminum. All panels were finished with Silver Mica paint. The patented Dri-Design Wall Panel System is an affordable dry joint, pressure-equalized rainscreen system.

“The notable design challenges included developing an overall grid and accent line arrangement that would provide a transition from the brick below to the roof soffit panels and the standing seam roof above,” according to Van Duren. “The Dri-Design system provided the flexibility to adjust accent lines and panel lines to match the control joints of the masonry below. The look of the panels provided a clean and highly planar surface to lighten up the top half of the two large building forms within the context of the total envelope.”

Van Duren also cited low cost, ease of construction and choice of colors as reasons for selected the Dri-Design system.

The panels were installed by Bouma Interiors, Okemos, MI.

The patented Dri-Design Wall Panel System is an affordable dry joint, pressure-equalized rainscreen system. The panels can be made from a variety of materials including painted aluminum, zinc, copper and stainless steel. Painted panels are available in any Kynar color, and in standard and custom sizes.