The new Maryland Public Health Laboratories Administration Building was part of the 235,000 square foot, five-level renovation project of a 40-year-old building in east Baltimore. The state-of-the-art laboratory facility, utilizing architectural metal products from CENTRIA, houses critical testing materials and equipment and annually conducts more than 10 million tests.
The architectural concept was engineered to blend with the surrounding urban, industrial architecture. The design is honest and straightforward, tying it to Baltimore’s mills and factories.
Opening its doors in the spring of 2015, the new J. Mehsen Joseph Public Health Laboratory (MDPHL) earned Silver LEED certification, an important part of the area’s Smart, Green and Growing (SGG) Initiative and revitalization project. “We’re harnessing the power of technology to strengthen our ability to respond more effectively and efficiently to contain a wide range of public health emergencies,” stated Governor Martin O’Malley at the dedication ceremony. Thanks to this design, the laboratory employees enjoy natural light in all interior labs.
The architects specified CENTRIA products because of their combination of durability, sustainability, aesthetics and economic advantages.
CENTRIA’s patented FormaBond II presents a stronger, flatter Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM), complete with pressure-equalized joinery and superior impact resistance. The dry joinery eliminates wet seals and provides optimum venting to allow wall cavities to dry effectively while prohibiting the entry of rainwater. FormaBond is manufactured entirely by CENTRIA using a proprietary reaction injection molding process. These revolutionary, thin aluminum composite panels provided the laboratory with sharp, crisp sight lines and lent it a sleek exterior that blended seamlessly with the surrounding urban architecture.
The design team appreciated the many options that the Concept Series concealed fastener panels provided them, including thousands of combinations of articulation, shadows and sight lines, along with a complete line of finish, integration, special systems and detail options.
With concealed fasteners and a common-lock joint, Concept Series panels can be mixed for interesting custom-profiled wall relief. The panels can be installed vertically or horizontally and have an unbroken appearance that further adds to Concept Series concealed fastener panels' versatility. Panels are also available in two surface textures: stucco-embossed or smooth.
The architect was HDR Inc. of Baltimore, MD. The contractor was Turner Construction of Baltimore, MD. The CENTRIA products dealer/installer was Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal of Frederick, MD. The 235,000 sq. ft. lab was completed in April 2015.
CENTRIA products used on this project included:
Formabond® II 4mm Vertical - Square Feet: 22,134; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Zinc; Gauge: .020.
Formabond II 4mm Horizontal - Square Feet: 5,674; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Zinc; Gauge: .020.
Concept Series® Concealed Fastener Panels CS-660 - Square Feet: 15,695; Finish: Smooth; Gauge: 22.