Named in honor of the late CBS News anchor, Walter Cronkite, the 223,00-square-foot Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University in Phoenix is unparalleled in journalism education. The state-of-the-art technology and smartly designed six-story building is home to offices, retail space, restaurants, 17 media-equipped classrooms, seven computer labs and seven professional newsrooms, in addition to one of the country’s largest PBS stations, KAET Channel Eight.
To give the school’s envelope an eye-catching texture, Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp., Louisville, Ky., supplied a variety of metal wall panels. Metal Sales supplied 3,682 feet of its T23 panels with a 3-inch vertical rib in Terra Cotta, 5,075 feet in Colonial Red and 5,012 feet in Copper Penny. To emulate the facility’s purpose, the T23 panels have a 3-inch vertical rib and are laid out in a way that reflects the FCC’s Radio Frequency Spectrum Allocation Chart, which plots nationwide wireless communication allotment for outlets like cell phones, WiFi, broadcast TV/radio, etc.
Additionally, a section of the building that supports a row of satellite dishes is clad in 2,043 feet of horizontally ribbed Metal Sales’ T13-A panels in Metallic Silver, further achieving the building’s form-meets-function approach. The building also features 3,032 feet of Metal Sales’ T2 panels in Metallic Silver.
The commanding metal façade of the LEED Silver certified school harmonizes with its urban Phoenix environment. Metal panels were chosen for its sustainable recycled content, as well as its capacity to be applied quickly, efficiently and economically.
“This world-class structure truly shows off the versatility of our panels,” says Steve Letnich, vice president, sales and marketing for Metal Sales. “When inspired design meets high quality, visually captivating products, the result is an outstanding architectural presentation, like that of the Walter Cronkite building.”
Inside the building’s three-story core is “The First Amendment Forum,” a multi-tiered common area at the building’s center that celebrates the connectivity of communication, thus yielding functional form in the interior as well.
Built by SUNDT Construction, Tempe, Ariz., the glass, steel and concrete building features sunscreens and curtainwalls from KT Fabrication, Chandler, Ariz., and structural steel from Schuff Steel Co., Phoenix.
“The project team, facility owners, and end-users are ecstatic with the finished results,” says Mathew Chaney, AIA Associate at Ehrlich Architects, and lead architect for the project. “This building really exceeds expectations, and we are excited to work with ASU on future projects to help them achieve an even more beautiful and sustainable campus.”
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, Phoenix
Award: 2010 International Architecture Award by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design in conjunction with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies
Executive architect: HDR Architecture, Phoenix
Design architect: Ehrlich Architects, Culver City, Calif.
Builder: SUNDT Construction, Tempe, Ariz.
Curtainwall and sunscreen fabricator: KT Fabrication, Chandler, Ariz.
Metal wall panel installer: Gen3 AZ LLC, Tempe
Metal wall panels: Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp., Louisville, Ky., www.metalsales.us.com
Structural steel: Schuff Steel Co., Phoenix, www.schuff.com
