At the exclusive Lovett School in Atlanta, sustainability has become a part of the curriculum for all students. And what better place for students to learn such important lessons than in a newly opened LEED Silver school building.
Paid for in part by a $10 million gift from the Jan and John Portman family, the new Portman Family Middle School is a model of sustainable construction. The new school features a green roof, which serves as an outdoor classroom and lab space, and an innovative rainwater harvesting system used for irrigation. The building also utilizes solar power hot water heating, bamboo flooring, carpet with recycled content, and daylight sensors.
Used in conjunction with the building’s extensive glass curtainwall system was another product frequently cited for its green attributes: aluminum composite material (ACM) wall panels.
Completed in July 2009, the new school was designed by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott of Boston and features more than 14,000 sq. ft. of ALPOLIC ACM, manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America Inc. of Chesapeake, VA. The material was fabricated into panels by Altech Panel Systems LLC of Cartersville, GA. SECO Architectural Systems of Snellville, GA, handled the installation.
Jeanne Carey, AIA, LEED AP, said the metal wall panels—like any good envelope product—provided both aesthetic and functional benefits to the project. “The metal panels help convey a sense of transparency and lightness as the upper portion of the building emerges from its masonry base. Metal panels are a versatile, modern and durable material. They provide good quality, ease of construction, and the ability to achieve an energy efficient envelope.”
To best complement the finish of the aluminum curtainwall components, 10,500 sq. ft. of the 4mm-thick, FR-cored ALPOLIC ACM panels were specified in a Cadet Grey color. The remaining 3,500 sq. ft. of panels were provided with a Bone White paint finish.
Brasfield & Gorrie LLC of Kennesaw, GA, was the project’s general contractor. John Fulford, the firm’s project manager, had high praise for Altech’s role in the project, saying, “Altech Panel Systems exceeded our expectations on the Lovett Middle School project. Their ability to meet our tight deadline for panel fabrication kept us from falling behind on installation.”
About Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America
Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America, Inc is the global leader of aluminum and metal composite materials. With U.S. headquarters in Chesapeake, VA., Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America (MPCA) has been manufacturing the ALPOLIC® materials for architectural wall cladding and specialty applications markets since 1974. MPCA is truly a global presence, serving a worldwide customer base with products that offer innovation, style, and performance. To learn more, visit www.alpolic-usa.com.