Toronto’s Castlefield neighborhood is fashion-forward, filled with furniture manufacturers and interior design firms. The owners of Vaultra Storage targeted the area for their flagship facility, but knew that to support local businesses, the self-storage building had to look the part. Thanks to products by Kingspan Insulated Panels North America, it totally does. 

Strict municipal codes require self-storage facilities to blend into the neighborhood. Pearce McCluskey Architects was tasked with creating a modern, impactful design that not only served as self-storage, but also as a coworking space that caters to local business owners’ needs. They created a striking 25,884-square-foot facility that uses texture and contrasting colors to stand-out. The decision for the building envelope materials came quickly.

“One of the main reasons why we went with insulated metal panels to begin with was Vaultra wanted something that could be closed-in fairly quickly to allow the trades that build the lockers to start sooner,” said Rob Spurgeon, Associate Principal at Pearce McCluskey Architects, who served as the program manager on the project.

Architects specified three different Kingspan insulated metal panels, all sharing the same joint for easy integration. The insulated metal panels provided an all-in-one alternative to traditional multi-component wall systems, resulting in fewer trades necessary to complete installation.

Thermal efficiency was a critical component of the project. The climate-controlled facility needed a building envelope that would reduce operational energy costs. Kingspan’s KS Series in Mini Micro-Rib profile, along with Optimo® and KarrierPanel each provide R-values of up to 8 per inch per ASTM when equipped with Kingspan’s QuadCore® insulation core.

The use of KS Mini Micro-Rib and Optimo® panels provided contrasting smooth and ribbed profiles, giving the facility a high-end appearance. The darker KarrierPanel-backed façade provided an even bolder look. Kingspan’s newest accessory, the Accent Fin™, also served a critical role in the building’s appearance. The Accent Fin™ fits seamlessly into the joinery between panels, highlighting the lines to add a finishing touch that elevates the storage facility’s aesthetic.

“I think they’re a great addition to the building and something we’re looking forward to using it in the future,” said Spurgeon.

Despite pandemic-related supply chain delays that plagued the later stages of the project, Vaultra Storage was completed in one year. With insulated metal panels playing a major role in the high-end design and shared workspaces for booming e-commerce businesses, Vaultra’s flagship facility is ready for the future.