Time is limited and regulations are tight for construction in the Greater Toronto Area, so it was probably no surprise when the developers of the Bluebird Self-Storage project presented architects with a challenge: build an aesthetically appealing facility and do it fast. With the help of insulated metal panels from Kingspan Insulated Panels, both objectives were met.
Because self-storage facilities can be sprawling facilities with little aesthetic appeal, municipalities are increasingly demanding designs that fit with the surrounding area. For the new facility in Vaughn, Ontario, Leonardo Romanese Architect Inc. designed a self-storage site modeled on retail settings. The goal was to create a look that appeals to female customers, who make up the majority of people using self-storage facilities.
One material was that turned out to be a perfect fit for the design and time constraints of both the architect and the installer, Maple Reinders, was insulated metal panels.
“The number one reason we use insulated metal panels is the ease of construction,” said Leonardo Romanese, AAA, MAA, OAA. “The second reason is that you get an excellent R-value.”
The new three-story, 144,000 sq. ft. Bluebird facility uses 21,681 square feet of Kingspan's KS Micro-Rib panels in dove grey and weathered zinc, as well as 7,159 square feet of MF Fire Rated mineral fiber-cored panels in dove grey. Kingspan's insulated metal panels come in a variety of designs and thicknesses to meet the needs for design and thermal performance.
KS Micro-Rib panels have a thermal resistance rating of 7.2 per inch per ASTM C518 @75°F when equipped with PIR and are GREENGUARD Gold Certified. When the panels are equipped with Kingspan’s industry-leading QuadCore Technology, the panels have an R-8 rating and earn the Red List Free distinction.
Ontario’s harsh winters not only cut construction season short but posed an additional challenge for Romanese. He used split face masonry block for the first few feet of the new Bluebird facility, to provide a solid base and to keep road salt away from the metal panels.
Bluebird’s new storage facility, completed in two phases, stands out along Highway 400.
“It’s become quite the showcase,” said Romanese. “I get a lot of calls, and people really like the combination of colors we chose.”