Dri-Design’s proprietary copper anodized panels highlight the new 47-story Parkview West condominiums near Lake Michigan in Chicago. More than 33,000 sq. ft. of .063" aluminum Dri-Design panels complement the building's curved glass façade and masonry accents.
The Dri-Design Wall Panel System is a patented, pressure-equalized rainscreen system known for its economy. The copper anodized panels chosen for this project are part of Dri-Design’s Specialty Series and provide the metallic quality of copper with an extremely hard and long-lasting finish. The panels will not patina.
Designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz, Chicago, the 450,000 sq. ft. project includes 268 condominium units with full luxury amenities and has been described by New Homes Magazine as “maybe the most successful and exciting of all new towers” in the Chicago area. The project cost $121 million.
The architectural firm had not used the Dri-Design system before. “We were looking for a signature statement for the building and did a survey of different types of materials including flat-lock natural copper shingles,” said Devon Patterson, principal of design with SCB. “We ended up going with the Dri-Design system because it seemed more proven for residential high rise and because of the color consistency for the long term. The copper anodized finish doesn’t break down or patina—it preserves the color for the lifetime of the building.
"When we originally looked at the flat-lock system of natural copper, we liked the fact that it would have a mottled look and wouldn’t look like a machine-finished color,” said Patterson. “So that’s why we opted for the copper anodized because it has some range to it like natural copper. It was the color we were trying to get. It was a good compromise that turned out to be a superior solution in the end.”
A Phase 2 second tower is planned and the owners anticipate using the copper anodized Dri-Design system on it, too, according to Patterson. “Parkview West is a very successful building. I think a large part of its success stems from the metal panels on the building that has given it such a distinctive look,” Patterson said.
Anodizing of the aluminum material was done by Linetec, Wausau, WI. Installation of the Dri-Design panels was done by Tuschall Engineering Company Inc., Burr Ridge, IL.
Dri-Design panels can be made from a variety of materials including painted aluminum, zinc, copper and stainless steel. Panels are available in any Kynar color in both standard and custom sizes.