Kent State University at Tuscarawas is a comprehensive campus offering 28 degrees at the associate and bachelor's degree levels. As part of Kent State University's eight-campus network, Kent State Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia, Ohio offers all the resources of a major research university in a small college atmosphere. The new Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Kent State Tuscarawas is a 50,000 sq. ft. sculptural statement of educational and artistic expression, featuring products from CENTRIA.

The spectacular $17.5 million center provides a modern venue for the campus' academic and cultural programs and community cultural organizations, as well as contributing to the economic development of the Tuscarawas Valley. The PAC features a 1,100-seat theater, classrooms, rehearsal rooms and conference areas. The theater is a premiere venue for touring Broadway shows, concerts, lectures and other types of entertainment. A versatile two-level lobby seats more than 350 guests for receptions and conferences.

A defining feature of the building is a glass and metal façade that curves around the fly tower, providing a sense of fluid movement through material. The tower is visible from multiple vantage points from the campus and the surrounding community, and the swooping metal component focuses internal views to adjacent campus landmarks. Moreover, the design achieves the client’s goal of a highly contemporary building, without surpassing its $17.5 million budget.

CENTRIA’s Versawall was selected for its versatility, flexibility, long-term performance and sustainability. The lightweight, insulated, metal composite panels feature concealed fasteners and can be installed vertically for long, sleek sight lines as they were in this project.

Complementing Versawall panels were CENTRIA’s Formawall Dimension Series, which is the only wall system that provides both advanced thermal and moisture protection (ATMP®) in a single panelized component. Compared to traditional multi-component wall construction, which typically requires five or more separate components, Formawall Dimension Series’ single panel has a factory foamed-in-place core, minimizing insulation gaps.

From a sustainability standpoint, Versawall uses single-component panels. They’re green, not only because of their recycled content and recyclability, but also because they simply use less material than traditional multi-component wall systems. Formawall Dimension Series panels also offer single-component construction, reducing overall material use and limiting environmental impact. CENTRIA sheet metal products are 100 percent recyclable and contain a high percentage of recycled material.

From an aesthetics standpoint Versawall and Formawall Dimension Series provided architects with the contemporary and sleek look they were looking to achieve, which also complemented existing campus buildings. Available in a wide-variety of interchangeable reveals, thickness and profile configurations, Formawall Dimension Series makes use of concealed clips and fasteners for a seamless profile. Both products are available in a number of finishes and exciting colors. Building designers balanced Champagne Gold Versawall panels with Formawall Dimension Series in Crushed Ice and Regal White for a rich, striking aesthetic.

The project architects were Legat Architects of Chicago, IL, and Schorr Architects Inc. of Dublin, OH; the CENTRIA products dealer was Vulcan Metal Sales Inc. of Belle Vernon, PA; the CENTRIA products installer was Commercial Industrial Sheet Metal Corp. of Bolivar, OH; and the contractor was Dunlop & Johnston Inc. of Valley City, OH. The total project size was 50,000 sq. ft.

CENTRIA products used on this project included:

• Versawall®; 2” Vertical with 1/8” reveal. Square Feet: 7,395; Color: Champagne Gold; Finish: Flat Embossed; Coating: SundanceTM AM; Gauge: 22/26.

• Formawall® Dimension Series® 2" Horizontal with ½” reveal. Square Feet: 7,434; Color: Crushed Ice and Regal White; Finish: Flat Smooth; Coating: Fluorofinish®;Gauge: 22/26.