College football programs need every amenity possible in the competitive Division I landscape to cater to existing players while also attracting top-level recruits. The West Virginia University (WVU) football program’s new $3.88 million team room does just that.
The design reflects the immense pride and the legacy of WVU football. In addition to being a valuable recruiting feature, it’s also an important gathering place for the team. Dramatic visuals paying homage to the greatest moments in Mountaineer history greet players, coaches and guests as they enter the facility. These include a dynamic team wall graphics, along with a plaque honoring distinguished donors and a trio of televisions highlighting program accomplishments. A gold and blue aesthetic permeates throughout the room as well, bringing the Mountaineers’ team colors and team spirit to life.
The functional facility serves multiple uses. Its 162-theater style chairs—each embroidered with the team logo—also make for an ideal meeting room for staff and personnel, in addition to members of the media during press conferences.
WVU is passionate about their sports teams. The University understands that recruiting the most coveted players begins with a great first impression. Formawall Dimension Series insulated metal panels from CENTRIA gave architects the design flexibility to incorporate various aesthetic elements that make the building stand out while also integrating with the surrounding buildings.
Inside, the design of Milan Puskar Stadium’s new team room helps to foster a state-of-the-art, functional team environment. On the exterior, Formawall Dimension Series panels reinforce that goal, combining a modern aesthetic with outstanding thermal efficiency and moisture control in a single, panelized component.
The medium gray panels include a factory foamed-in place core aimed at minimizing insulation gaps and offering superior weather resistance by utilizing pressure equalization along the length of the horizontal joinery.
Concealed clips and fasteners—along with the standard insulated metal vertical (IMV) joints—come together for a clean, uninterrupted appearance. Additionally, the panels minimize exterior dirt streaking and staining, contributing to reduced building maintenance costs.
Formawall panels opened up a range of design possibilities for architects. They were able to give the building various textures by using a combination of flat and striated panels. Since the panels are compatible with most glass wall and window systems, the building includes a dramatic floor-to-ceiling series of windows to allow more natural light to flow into the space.
The architect was Heery Design of Atlanta, GA. The contractor was G.A. Brown & Son Inc. of Fairmont, WV. The CENTRIA products dealer/installer was Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal of Wheeling, WV. The project was completed in January 2015.
CENTRIA products used on this project included:
• Formawall® Dimension Series® 2” Horizontal Insulated Metal Panels - Square Feet: 5,394; Color: Medium Gray; Finish: Smooth; Gauge: 22/22.
• Formawall Dimension Series 2” Horizontal Insulated Metal Panels - Square Feet: 1,219; Color: Medium Gray; Finish: Smooth; Gauge: 22/22.