Designed by renowned architect Peter Eisenman, and opened in 1996, the Aronoff Center linked together the previously existing Alms, DAAP and Wolfson buildings to form the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning. When the original EIFS façade failed, Overly was selected to design a rainscreen panel system that could meet the structure’s performance challenges while maintaining the architectural integrity of the original design.

Using computer modeling and CNC fabrication processes, Overly manufactured more than 5,000 one-of-a-kind painted aluminum panel assemblies to clad the 70,000 square foot exterior of the Aronoff Center. With its hundreds of reveals, corners, offsetting and intersecting planes, the Overly façade provides a fresh and modern look to a very unique structure.

Commencing in September 2010, the UC DAAP façade restoration was completed in June 2014. Overly fabricated this custom hook-and-pin plate wall panel system out of 3/16"-thick aluminum, which was then post-painted in various colors. Restoration architect for the project was KZF Designs in Cincinnati, Ohio. Turner Construction Company served as the General Contractor and installer.

Challenging projects like this one are nothing new to Overly. The company has been fabricating and installing custom sheet metal work since 1888, establishing a reputation early on as a leading builder of custom church spires, steeples and intricately detailed theater marquees. The company built thousands of them. In the 1930s, Overly was the first company to patent and use metal battens instead of wood battens, and in the 1960s, Overly invented and patented a custom Bermuda-style roof system. In 2011, Overly redesigned its long-standing flush seam batten system, and introduced its patent-pending Evolution Metal Wall and Roof System to the market. This flush seam system is without raised battens, standing seams or exposed fasteners, and consists of a hidden drain channel, compression bar, cover cap and cladding sheets. The smooth, contemporary design appears monolithic when viewed from just a short distance.