At first glance, the New College of Florida Academic Center in Sarasota is another architecturally-pleasing structure. The building, roofed with Petersen Aluminum’s Tite-Loc Plus standing seam metal panels, sits at the entrance to the campus and makes a bold, welcoming statement. But more importantly, the Academic Center building is the only structure on campus to have achieved Hurricane Shelter Approval status from the Florida Department of Education. In addition, the mechanically-seamed panels also meet the requirements of Miami-Dade NOA and Florida Building Approvals.
Approximately 20,000 sq. ft. of PAC-CLAD .040” aluminum Tite-Loc Plus panels were utilized in addition to 4,400 sq. ft. of .032” aluminum PAC-850 Soffit Panels, which also have Florida Approvals. 7,000 sq. ft. of PAC Flat Stock was used for flashings.
Located on a dramatic 140-acre bayfront site, New College of Florida is a residential honors academic institution. The new academic building provides 36,000 sq. ft. of office space, classrooms, and common areas. Design for the project was provided by Moule & Polyzoides Architects, Pasadena, CA and combines vernacular and contemporary design elements consistent with its location on the Gulf of Mexico. The PAC-CLAD metal roof interfaces with masonry walls and hurricane shutters for protection from sun and rain.
Given the Academic Center’s location is only 1,100 feet from the edge of the Gulf, the California-based architectural firm hired David Moss of Moss Specs, Sarasota, to provide expertise regarding local codes. With more than 40 years of writing total building specifications, Moss is well known throughout the industry and now specializes in roof and specifications consulting.
“When I first met with the architects, they were initially considering a Galvalume steel roof,” Moss said. “I’ve seen what Galvalume does in our neck of the woods and in a couple of years, it can really look bad. As a better option, I suggested they go with aluminum and a Kynar finish and they agreed. We specified .040” aluminum but the final test for the shelter code passed with .032” so they actually have a roof that’s even better than what is required.”
Installation of the PAC-CLAD material was done by Murton Roofing, a TECTA America Company, Miami.