Architect Enrique Norten calls Rutgers Business School's new 100 Rock building both a landmark and a gateway. And who could argue. The $85 million structure, located on Rutgers University - New Brunswick's Livingston campus in Piscataway, NJ, has an iconic presence and was designed in such a way as to straddle the campus' main entry road. Most who come and go will pass directly beneath it. Lending to the unique building's visual interest is a multi-faceted rainscreen metal cladding. All of the metal systems, including the solid and perforated aluminum plate panels needed to support the metal wall design intent, were fabricated by Metalwërks®, a division of Metal Sales & Service, Kennett Square, PA.

Norten's TEN Arquitectos architectural firm developed the master plan for the new Livingston campus and also designed 100 Rock. The building was conceived to be every bit as impressive on the inside as it is on the out.

The building is organized according to function but common areas are intended to foster collaboration and chance meetings between people from throughout. Inside the main entrance is a grand staircase that leads to a voluminous student lounge. Technology is everywhere—from the classrooms to the conference rooms and lounges, with the top-floor lounge featuring Bloomberg kiosks at every turn and a trading room just like the ones found in America's leading brokerage houses. That top floor offers a spectacular view of the evolving Livingston campus. Outside the building is a huge covered courtyard, with its ceiling some 40' above.

A Metalwërks® Custom Fabricated Interlok Plank Rainscreen System covers 30,000 sq.ft. of exterior wall surface and was fabricated from 1/8” aluminum in a Clear Anodized architectural finish. The design called for four variegated-shaped panel types arranged in a random pattern to create shadow patterns and rhythm to the exterior façade. There were 2,000 different panels used to create a striking architectural statement. The façade also incorporates approximately 2,000 sq. ft. of 3/16”-thick plate panels, both solid and perforated. The solid panels were used predominantly as trim while the perforated panels were used to cover windows on the metal-clad elevations. The perforated panels cover the windows to preserve the monolithic metal design intent, while still permitting indirect light through the covered windows.

With its variable patterns, the Rainscreen system casts numerous shade and light patterns as light changes throughout the day. The effect is enhanced by the reflectivity of the anodized finish. The drained, back-ventilated design (DBV) of the metal cladding provides an interesting exterior appearance while protecting the building’s primary air/water seals from the elements. The wall system incorporates exterior moisture-resistant applied insulation, engineered furring and perimeter flashings, all outboard of the primary building air barrier.

One of Metalwërks® unique fabrication capabilities includes a back-scored technique to v-groove the 0.125” thick aluminum plate material down to “.040” thick at the fold lines. This method allows the designer to incorporate tighter bend lines which increases the crispness of the joints and panel edges. The open vertical reveals joint are gasketed to minimize water penetration between the custom panel end-caps and open horizontal joints.

Century 21 was the project's general contractor. Mohawk Construction and Supply installed the Metalwerks system. The building was completed in September 2013.