When the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, part of Iowa Health Des Moines, needed a new roof, Gary Gibson, facilities manager, wanted more than a simple fix.
The leaky roof was adjacent to the campus’ cafeteria and added an aesthetically pleasing element to the facility by showcasing shrubs and other greenery. Gibson was looking for a lasting solution that would eliminate the drainage issues that had occurred with the roof membrane that couldn’t handle the 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1 m) of dirt, greenery and sprinklers resting on top. He also wanted to improve the rooftop through the addition of an outside canopy and picnic area.
Gibson, along with Greg Brown, territory manager for The Garland Co. Inc., Cleveland, developed a method for incorporating wall panels into the building to create a welcoming outdoor extension of the indoor cafeteria for hospital patients, visitors and personnel.
The first step was to remove the green space atop the existing roof and install a Garland StressPly E polyester/fiberglass-reinforced SBS/ SIS modified membrane over the concrete deck. Gibson and his project team installed pavers from Westile Roofing Products, Casa Grande, Ariz., on top of the roof to level the roof’s taper and better accommodate foot traffic.
The project utilized 4,200 square feet (390 m2) of Garland’s R-Mer Wall green panels with doublev grooves retrofitted onto the existing concrete walls surrounding the roof area to create a more inviting outdoor space. The wall panels were custom cut to the appropriate lengths and the flashings were formed to the metal deck so the roofing material was not exposed. Aluminum fencing was added on top of the wall panels to block out the industrial appearance of some of the nearby hospital areas, such as the docking bays.
The practical and visually appealing solution made use of the available space by providing a relaxing and useful area for those the facility serves.
The Garland Co. Inc., www.garlandco.com
