54 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Mass.
RETROFIT TEAM
ARCHITECT: Dacon Corp., Natick, Mass.
IMP INSTALLER: Controlled Environment Structures LLC, Mansfield, Mass.
MATERIALS
Because the owner wanted to bring this 1970s facility into the 21st century, insulated metal panels (IMPs) were specified for the 2-story office building. Approximately 16,000 square feet of 3-inch CF Architectural IMPs in 24- and 36-inch widths were installed. IMPs, with an exterior skin of 22 gauge and an interior skin of 26 gauge, were installed over the existing split-face masonry wall using a custom clip to metal studs.
“The original building was constructed in two phases,” says Michael Frechette, AIA, of Dacon, noting the casual observer could notice the differences in the construction phases. “Insulated metal panels allowed us to pull it all together and provide the updated aesthetic the owner was seeking in an energy-saving system.”
Horizontal IMPs were installed in widths consistent with windows and other design elements of the building. Frechette says the Middlesex Turnpike office building now boasts a clean, consistent look all around the building.
“It’s a lot more difficult to do a horizontal renovation than a new vertical installation,” says Dave McGrath, sales engineer, Controlled Environment Structures (CES). “We had to line up our seams with the mullions on the storefront windows. There is a lot of custom field work because we weren’t working off a blueprint; these are field conditions.”
Half the IMPs were Regal Gray and half were Polar White. “It was a dramatic transformation,” Frechette adds. “The original concrete masonry unit was a very rough surface, but CES came up with a clever solution to attach the insulated metal panels to a sub-framing system. Now, you’d never know there was basically a concrete block building under there.”
Another challenge was working with panels that have a smooth finish. “The quality of manufacturing has to be right on with smooth panels or it can become problematic,” McGrath says. “Every imperfection shows up; you can’t hide sins in a smooth panel, but the Metl-Span panels were perfect.”
McGrath says the owner is extremely happy with the finished project and the building is attracting some attention. “They light it up with LED lights at night and it looks great,” he says.
IMPS AND MANUFACTURER: CF Architectural from Metl-Span
PHOTOS: Metl-Span