The Kent Police Station is located at a transition point between two different neighborhoods and architecturally distinct areas, meaning that the new structure had to serve multiple purposes. Visually, it had to echo the more modern Kent State College Architecture and Design building while nodding to the nearby, more classic structures of the central business district. Additionally, the station had to present an energized, neighborly aesthetic positioning it as a safe pillar of the community.
The building’s materiality was extremely significant. To mirror the more historic buildings, it needed the appearance of brick, yet with a lighter, less oppressive product – something modern and forward-thinking. At the street level, selected materials had to withstand heavy snowfall and resist salt and ice. Because the building can be accessed from two different sides and is visible from four different directions, its signage also needed to stand out and act as a beacon and safe haven for those who need police assistance, further positioning the station as a community-oriented establishment.
The team at DS Architecture utilized CENTRIA’s Formawall Dimension Series Graphix metal panels and Ecoscreen perforated screenwall in the Allura Terra Cotta finish to effectively establish the Kent Police station as the desired transition between the historic downtown district and the more contemporary developments on campus. These panels achieved the project’s unique, modular aesthetics using a limited number which helped maintain budgetary requirements. The additional high-performance insulated metal panels by CENTRIA, FWDS and DS60, are also able to diminish the likelihood of air or water infiltration, while providing exceptional thermal efficiency.
Visually, the Formawall Dimension Series Graphix panels added a unique rhythm and pattern to the building and created a distinct, clean façade which broke down the larger masses of the building and made it feel more approachable.
The Allura Terra Cotta finish, a premium PVDF coating, presented the desired matte, low-gloss appearance reminiscent of brick.
CENTRIA’s Ecoscreen was used on the building’s fin and signage and enabled the architects to incorporate light into this part of the structure. This afforded the desired level of visibility and allowed the sign to seemingly glow from within, further establishing the police station as a safe haven in the community.
CENTRIA
https://www.centria.com/
1.800.759.7474
info@centria.com
Related Stories
| Mar 6, 2013
Centria announces leadership changes
CENTRIA President Mark Sherwin has announced his retirement beginning April 1, 2013. Sherwin has served as president of CENTRIA, an industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of architectural metal wall and roof systems, for more than 17 years.
| Feb 26, 2013
CRSI releases new technical note on stainless steel reinforcing bars
The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) has released a new technical note, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Stainless Steel Reinforcing Bars, to its online collection.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 24, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Entry Form
Download a PDF of the Entry Form at the bottom of this page.
| Mar 7, 2012
LEO A DALY selected to design Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial
The bronze, figurative sculpture of a firefighter rescuing a child, which is currently on display at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, is lit by natural light through a circular void in the monolith.
| Jan 9, 2012
METALCON International 2012 announced
METALCON 2012 is scheduled for Oct. 9-11 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Hall A, Rosemont, Ill.
| Oct 18, 2011
Michel Bruneau wins 2012 AISC T.R. Higgins Award
The AISC T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award is presented annually by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and recognizes an outstanding lecturer and author whose technical paper(s) are considered an outstanding contribution to the engineering literature on fabricated structural steel.
| Apr 12, 2011
Metal cladding: Enhancing design with single-skin panels, MCMs, and IMPs
Single-skin metal panels, metal composite panels, and insulated metal panels can add both aesthetic and functional value to your projects, if you use them correctly.
