Oakland Community College is the largest of Michigan’s 28 community colleges. A major addition at the Southfield Campus provided much-needed classroom and administrative space.

The 70,000 sq. ft. building was clad with approximately 28,000 sq. ft. of Metl-Span CF30 Architectural Flat panels in a design that showcases an interesting and attractive combination of colors and geometries. The 2” panels were finished in Regal White and Cool Metallic Silver and installed horizontally.

The building was designed by TMP Architecture of Bloomfield Hills, MI. “The addition was to an existing building clad with metal and glass,” said to Tom Kowalski, project manager. “Naturally, we wanted to maintain a similar palette of materials. The Metl-Span panels really offer a contemporary, high-tech look. We also felt the Metl-Span panels provided an economical solution because of the insulation on the exterior skin. The college is very pleased with the outcome.”

The installation of the Metl-Span panels was done by Ross & Barr, Inc., Warren, MI. The panels ranged in length from 8’ to 20’ and required some challenging custom fabrication according to Tom Viers, project manager. “The 45-degree-angle custom corner panels were probably the sharpest we’ve ever done with an insulated panel,” Viers said. “The horizontal installation and complicated geometries of the design required extremely detailed field measurements to assure the panels would align properly with the vertical elements.”

The general contractor on the project was George W. Auch Company, Pontiac, MI.

Project photography by Robert J. Eovaldi.