Contrarian Metal Resources’ InvariTique With Back Coat™ custom fabrication helped create a new four-story glass and metal oval entry pavilion for the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s expanded pavilion. Constructed as part of a $74 million enhancement, the pavilion integrates the museum with its surrounding parks and gardens and creates opportunities for dramatic views of the Museum’s surroundings.
“This design build project was custom fabricated and we could tailor the metal panel sizes to the project,” explains Jeff Burgardt, vice president, LinEl Signature. “Contrarian made the material to suit our needs. Providing the exact widths required also minimizes waste during fabrication. In addition to providing the exact size needed, the quality of the Contrarian material is very good.”
The exterior metal panels feature Contrarian’s InvariTique With Back Coat, a solid zinc alloy made in the United States that replicates weathered zinc and allows design flexibility as it is not tied to a proprietary panel system.
“The museum’s entry pavilion is a striking display of glass and metal,” said Jim Halliday, president of Contrarian Metal Resources. “InvariTique’s consistent weathered finish provided the desired appearance, and the ease of fabrication and design flexibility are added benefits.”
InvariTique with Back Coat is a treated zinc alloy finish. Designed for architectural applications, it lends itself to roofing but can also be specified for wall panels, counter tops, coping and trim. With the back coat, traditional venting requirements for pure zinc construction can be eliminated. InvariTique maintains its original medium gray, irregular patina when exposed to the elements. It is available in coils and cut lengths up to 160" wide, and in widths ranging .75" to 28". Due to zinc’s algaecidal and fungicidal properties, it is well suited to damp climates and those prone to mold and mildew. With no coatings on the exposed surface to deteriorate, it requires little maintenance. Offered in Alloy 710, which is hardened with copper and stabilized with titanium, InvariTique will show no signs of atmospheric corrosion for decades. In order to maintain the back coat system, InvariTique with Back Coat should not be welded or soldered.
“InvariTique also provided the weathered look of zinc, at the time of installation, that the architect desired,” Burgardt continues. “Contrarian is very experienced and when I need specialty metals, that’s where I turn. This is a beautiful project and an excellent use of specialty metals. It is really a showpiece for the city of Indianapolis.”
Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, Indianapolis, IN, served as the project’s architect and LinEl Signature, Mooresville, IN, as the fabricator.
The Garden Pavilion opened in Spring 2005 while the rest of the project was finished one year later. The project increases the size of the museum complex by approximately 164,000 square feet, adding a new gallery pavilion, an entry pavilion and a special events pavilion featuring new gallery and exhibition spaces, art support spaces, café and fine dining areas, a museum store, education and outreach areas, and an underground parking garage.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of the nation's largest art museums and it maintains permanent collections of African, Asian, American, Contemporary and European art. It also holds significant collections of decorative arts, prints, drawings, photographs, textiles and costumes.