University of Hawaii Biomedical Science Building Gets a New Roof

The world of metal-over-metal retrofit roofing is not always a glamorous business, but every once in a while a job comes along that makes it more interesting and satisfying to say the least. The University of Hawaii’s Biomedical Sciences building in Honolulu recently underwent a $1.1 million facelift and remodel. Included in the work, was approximately 18,000 square feet of new standing-seam metal roof installed over the existing vertical rib metal roof using Lutz,Fla.-based Roof Hugger’s sub-purlins. The new metal roof in a Beach Beige color was supplied by Custom Metal Roofing, a division of HPM Building Supply of Kapolei, Hawaii. The roofing was installed by Beachside Roofing, also of Kapolei. The project’s general contractor was Designer Built Systems Inc. of Honolulu and the architect was Richard Matsunaga, AIA, of Honolulu. What made this job so challenging was the building’s geometry. Even though it was essentially a square building, its hipped geometry transitioned from a 3:12 roof slope to a 12:12 at the central area of the roof and then to a vertical central tower (see photo). Then, to satisfy local island wind loads, Custom Metal Roofing’s 22-gauge Shur-Lock standing seam with 12 inches on center rib spacing was selected. Providing support for the new standing seam were special 2.75-inch tall Roof Huggers manufactured in 16 gauge with panel rib notches spaced at 18 inches on center to match the existing metal roof’s profile. Some 10,700 lineal feet of Roof Huggers were installed. The project was completed in late 2009. For more information on metal-over-metal retrofit re-roofing, contact Roof Hugger at (800) 771-1711 or visit www.roofhugger.com.