An Updated Replacement

by Jonathan McGaha | April 29, 2013 12:00 am

The Solid Waste Authority South County Transfer Station in Delray Beach, Fla., received a new replacement facility after the original building deteriorated due to its high abuse environment, as well as several hurricanes over the last three decades. Originally conceived as a re-skinning of the existing pre-engineered metal building, after a detailed assessment of the existing structure was reviewed, the project scope quickly shifted.

The $10 million project included the entire 12.77-acre site, including several structures being redesigned to provide a completely updated replacement facility. Completed in June 2012, the most visible, the Transfer Building, utilizes typical metal building components and translucent daylighting panels to create an envelope that belies its interior function.

With the building’s existing foundation already positioned within the terrain, the new 22,450-square-foot metal building system from Varco Pruden Buildings Inc., Memphis, Tenn., makes use of the massive concrete base that elevates the “tipping floor.” This allows inbound trucks to circulate through its upper level, transfer material to the outbound trucks located at mid-level below the tipping floor, with support spaces on the ground floor. It also shields the public’s view of the yard, allowing the building to function while acting as aesthetic mitigation.

The building’s entire super-structure sits on top of the original foundation. To meet current building codes and withstand hurricane force wind loads on the new structure, modifications were necessary to replace anchor bolts.

Robert Curto, project manager at Stephen L. Boruff, AIA, Architects + Planners Inc., West Palm Beach, Fla., notes the project was envisioned as the replacement of an existing pre-engineered metal building on its existing lower-level concrete foundation, requiring a structural solution similar to the existing building as part of the initial approach. “The large clear spans almost mandated a pre-engineered steel structure, and the massing of the design lent itself to the directionality and layering capability the metal panels provided,” he adds.

Contrasting colors and materials outside succeeded in softening the industrial appearance of the original facility. Kingspan Insulated Panels Inc., Deland, Fla., supplied its 1000 Series KingZip metal roof panels; while Bristol, Conn.-based Morin Corp., a Kingspan Group company, supplied its Morin X-12, F-12 and Y-36 metal wall panels. Translucent wall panels and skylights are from Kalwall Corp., Manchester, N.H., while Construction Specialties Inc., Cranford, N.J., supplied the architectural louvers and vents.

“Often the expression of color is rooted in the material, which is why we chose the silver metallic finish of the building’s skin as the dominant color,” explains Curto. “The color of the metal skin works in conjunction with the translucent Kalwall panels to mask the buildings waste management purpose. The orange accent color is a merging of safety and low maintenance, allowing the base of the building to weather its environment, while coordinating with the equipment being used around and within the structure.”

While daylighting was not a project requirement, Curto notes that the use of the translucent Kalwall panels and skylights allowed the client to significantly reduce the need for electrical lighting. “As a waste management company that promotes green initiatives as part of their primary business mission, it was important to SWA to capitalize on this opportunity to reduce energy use,” he adds.

South County Transfer Station, Phase 3 improvements, Delray Beach, Fla.

Award: 2012 Honor Award from the Palm Beach Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

Owner: Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Architect: Stephen L. Boruff, AIA, Architects + Planners Inc.[1], West Palm Beach

General contractor: PCL Construction Services Inc.[2], Orlando, Fla.

Metal building installer: Lemartec Engineering
& Construction Corp., Miami, Fla.

Metal wall and roof panels, louvers and vents installer: Cladding Systems Inc.[3], Tampa, Fla.

Translucent wall panels/skylight distributor/installer: Specified Architectural Systems Inc.[4], Tampa

Architectural louvers and vents: Construction Specialties Inc., Cranford, N.J., www.c-sgroup.com[5]

Metal building: Varco Pruden Buildings, Memphis, Tenn., www.vp.com[6]

Metal roof panels: Kingspan Insulated Panels Inc., Deland, Fla., www.kingspanpanels.us[7]

Metal wall panels: Morin, A Kingspan Group Company, Bristol, Conn., www.morincorp.com[8]

Translucent wall panels/skylights: Kalwall Corp., Manchester, N.H., www.kalwall.com[9]

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/an-updated-replacement/

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