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
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Nov 27, 2013
Wonder walls: 13 choices for the building envelope
BD+C editors present a roundup of the latest technologies and applications in exterior wall systems, from a tapered metal wall installation in Oklahoma to a textured precast concrete solution in North Carolina.
Sponsored | | Nov 20, 2013
Four faces of curb appeal
The Furniture Row retail center in Charlotte, N.C., incorporates four specialty stores in a distinctive, efficient structure.
| Nov 18, 2013
The builder’s building
Versatility topped Ron Cleveland’s list of priorities when he and his wife decided to construct a new building in Beaumont, Texas, to accommodate the two businesses they jointly own. Cleveland also wanted to create a structure that would serve as an effective marketing tool for his construction firm. An 11,526-sf custom metal office building met both goals.
| Nov 15, 2013
Metal makes its mark on interior spaces
Beyond its long-standing role as a preferred material for a building’s structure and roof, metal is making its mark on interior spaces as well.
| Oct 30, 2013
Metal roof design tips: The devil is in the details
This AIA/CES-approved presentation provides information regarding proper design to prevent possible infiltration from the roof system into the building. It also works as a guide when designing a roof to allow for proper water runoff.
| Oct 28, 2013
Metal roofs are topping more urban dwellings
Given their durability and ease of use, metal roofs have been a common feature on rural houses for decades. Now they’re becoming an increasingly popular choice on urban dwellings as well.
| Oct 23, 2013
Some lesser-known benefits of metal buildings
While the durability of metal as a construction material is widely recognized, some of its other advantages are less commonly acknowledged and appreciated.
| Oct 18, 2013
Researchers discover tension-fusing properties of metal
When a group of MIT researchers recently discovered that stress can cause metal alloy to fuse rather than break apart, they assumed it must be a mistake. It wasn't. The surprising finding could lead to self-healing materials that repair early damage before it has a chance to spread.
Building Enclosure Systems | Mar 13, 2013
5 novel architectural applications for metal mesh screen systems
From folding façades to colorful LED displays, these fantastical projects show off the architectural possibilities of wire mesh and perforated metal panel technology.
