Project Profile: Galvalume cladding is both affordable and durable
A bold statement in glass and steel, the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro, Nova Scotia, is a bold statement in glass and steel. It features the extensive use of pre-painted AZM165/AZ55 Galvalume steel cladding. Cost, maintenance, life cycle and the goal of achieving LEED Silver certification were the key factors in its selection. “The design was a bit risqué and contemporary for Truro. It did take a while for people to warm up to it,” says Paul Smith, senior planner, County of Colchester.
The choice of three colours of cladding, (QC28730 Regent Grey, QC28783 Polar White and QC28317 White) in the Perspectra paint system and the ridged cladding itself, is very successful at breaking up the large wall surfaces.
“The idea of creating a pattern of colours was to break up the monotony and create something that is visually interesting. We didn’t want it to look like a warehouse,” Smith says. Maintenance was a big concern in the selection of the exterior building materials. “We were mindful of not encumbering the [operator] with maintenance issues. The building committee was mindful of the life cycle costs,” Smith notes. “The goal was to create a strong visual effect that could be viewed from the Trans-Canada highway and that would accentuate the building’s sculptural quality using a very cost effective, durable material. The material is something that is widely used in the region and local trades and contractors would be familiar with it,” says Andrew Frontini, project designer, Perkins+Will, for the building.
The Galvalume sheet steel cladding conforms to ASTM A792M and AZM165 coating designation, with a minimum base
steel thickness of 0.91 mm (0.036”). It is pre-painted with the Perspectra paint system. The exterior sheet profile is Ideal Roofing’s Vee-Rib. “The cladding” Smith says, “is well-suited to the building style.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
ARCHITECT: Perkins + Will
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: Campbell Comeau
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: PCL Constructors Canada
STRUCTURAL STEEL SUPPLIER: RKO Industries
CLADDING SUPPLIER: Ideal Roofing Ltd.
CLADDING INSTALLER: Dowd Group
