As the newest apartment complex on Colorado State University’s Fort Collins campus, Aggie Village had to be something special to attract undergraduate and graduate students to live on campus. The design team based its vision on LEED Gold buildings that foster rejuvenation while feeling like home. For the exterior, a curtainwall look was created with the more economical option of SinoCore®, a field-assembled cladding system from Citadel Architectural Products.

“We wanted the look of a curtainwall but did not want the expense,” says Brandon Mixon, associate principal with 4240 Architecture Inc., Denver. “By using metal panels that matched the window frame color, we were able to simulate the look of a curtainwall. Awnings were also clad in metal panels.”

Douglass Colony Group, Commerce City, Colo., installed 8,564 square feet of SinoCore in a Bronze color. SinoCore, a field-assembled system that has flat aluminum panels with perimeter trim moldings, has a fluted, 4-mm-high density polypropylene core. This gives the panels a nominal weight of about 0.58 to 0.77 pounds per square foot, making it a lightweight cladding option that is easy to install. The system is designed to be completely sealed to keep all moisture away from a structure.

On the apartments, SincoCore is thoughtfully balanced with brick and other exterior materials. Mixon notes: “The panels were integrated with the glazing systems. With creative detailing, the panels read as part of the glazing. The panel system details provide great options to abut other material with clean joints.”

Aggie Village replaces the former Aggie Village North, a 1960’s complex with 145 apartments and 290 beds. The site now has three new buildings with 431 housing units with 973 student beds. Options include studios to four-bedroom units with study rooms, staff support and community program space, kitchens, recreational areas, a courtyard, 800 bicycle parking spaces and underground parking.

“We are excited to offer new on-campus apartment-style living to undergraduate and graduate students as well as visiting scholars and post docs,” says Christie Mathews, director of CSU Apartment Life, in a statement released by the university. “This community will provide a living-learning opportunity for students who are interested in a globally diverse, intercultural living experience.”

Sustainable features include continuous insulation, recycled and regional materials, energy-efficient HVAC systems, tuned glazing selections to control heat gain, solar shades, natural lighting, water efficient fixtures, LED light fixtures, raw water for irrigation and low-water landscaping. The metal panels add to the sustainability effort with a portion of the material coming from recycled content.