Metal’s Enduring Appeal

Nestled within the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine stands Scaife Hall, a site of modernity and innovation. Between early 2020 and 2023, the Scaife Hall building—which houses Falk Library and a myriad of essential facilities such as classrooms, lecture halls, and laboratories—underwent renovations which saw the modernization of classrooms and an expansion of the existing building, all to enhance its teacher-student experiences.

One such addition to the building is a mechanical penthouse, perched atop the academic edifice. Designed by Payette, with PJ Dick as contractor, and featuring insulated metal panel (IMP) systems provided by CENTRIA, the renovation and expansion are part of an initiative to revitalize University of Pittsburgh’s learning environment and cater to the evolving needs of its students and faculty.

Balance the new with the old

The mechanical penthouse is a bold addition to bustling, ever-busy Scaife Hall, part of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine, ranked nationally among the top 10 recipients of research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The construction of the rounded structure posed a significant challenge in seamlessly integrating unique architectural elements into the existing geometry and shape of the building. Balancing the new with the old is a common challenge in renovations and expansions and the team navigated the complexities, with skill and adaptability.

The goal was to primarily enclose the conditioned mechanical penthouse and minimize the wall assembly. This not only facilitated a smooth integration with the existing structure, but also delivered superior insulation value. “Insulation was a critical component in selection of materials since the mechanical penthouse needed to be conditioned”, said Nikolas Pappastratis, senior associate at Payette, according to a report by CENTRIA. “Since this was an addition, we needed not only a product with superior insulation capabilities, but also a product that could integrate into the existing structure,” he added.

The result? A sleek penthouse—a crown of metal, if you will—embodying contemporary design sophistication, featuring a metallic finish that elegantly blends with the Pennsylvania sky, creating a modern and harmonious visual composition.

IMPactful materials to envelope the building

The IMPs, which feature Advanced Thermal and Moisture Protection (ATMP) technology, offer a versatile solution for various building needs. The selected materials for the building envelope in this project include:

• Formawall Dimension Series: The building’s exterior boasts a monolithic, modern appearance with Formawall IMPs in chromium gray. By combining six wall components into a single product, Formawall creates distinct architectural wall profiles for diverse building designs. These panels seamlessly integrate with windows and louver systems, completing a high-performance building envelope. Formawall IMPs have high insulation values, which significantly reduce energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting. The Formawall Dimension Series is available in three thicknesses, delivering R-values between R-16 and R-24.1.
• CENTRIA’s flagship building enclosure system, Formawall, is described as being foamed in place, halogen-free, and featuring enhanced fire resistance. It also boasts unparalleled sophisticated joinery to prevent water penetration.
• Versawall H+: Also specified in chromium gray, Versawall H+ provides a non-embossed horizontal IMP in a flat profile spanning with lengths up to 940 mm
  (37 in.). Lightweight yet durable, these panels function as a barrier wall, contributing to a high-performance building envelope. The combination of a factory-applied panel joint sealant and a field-applied sealant forms an air and vapor barrier. This barrier ensures superior weather resistance and is considered ideal for a range of market applications.
• Super-Rib: Specified in champagne metallic due to the strength of the panel, super-rib allows for longer spans and fewer supports. Since super-rib is an exposed fastener wall panel, it can be installed in a variety of rainscreen applications to form a complete wall system. Moreover, the panel’s ribbed profile also added to the uniqueness of the building exterior design. Interestingly, as a wall panel, super-rib side laps in the low cell. As a roof panel, super-rib is inverted so the side lap occurs in the high cell.

The use of three robust materials, which contribute to the creation of a high-performance building envelope, offers various climate-related advantages in a world striving to mitigate and combat extreme weather events and climate change.

A ‘silver’ bullet to stand the test of time

IMPs are a one-stop solution with air, water, vapor, and thermal barriers integrated into one product. Their soaring surge in popularity, marking a gradual shift in construction practices, is worth celebrating in a rapidly evolving, eco-conscious world.

IMPs offer a combination of lightweight construction and durability, making them easy to handle and install. Their long-term durability is attributed to their design—which requires fewer joints in the building envelope—leading to lower maintenance costs over time. Using IMPs can also lead to faster construction times and reduced labor costs.

Crucially, they provide top-notch thermal performance, contributing to energy efficiency and cost savings in heating and cooling. At a time of increased climate volatility, these attributes are advantageous. Their seamless integration is also a major plus, offering both sustainability and a sleek, modern look that appeals to architects and designers—a true win-win. “The construction of the Scaife Hall addition represents not just an architectural feat, but the University of Pittsburgh’s continued commitment to providing a best-in-class education to tomorrow’s healthcare professionals. The design and installation of the building’s metal panels showcase the complexity of blending aesthetic appeal with functional design. The precision required in their installation underscores the intricate planning and expertise brought to the project,” says John Spatafore, senior project manager at PJ Dick. As technology and manufacturing processes advance rapidly, IMPs now come in a variety of colors, finishes, and textures, expanding their realm of applications in both new construction and renovation projects. Gray shines in this project, but there are plenty of other options to consider for various applications.

The recyclability of metal and the potential for energy savings with IMPs make them an attractive choice as projects strive to address sustainability challenges in large-scale construction. Their increasing use shines as a beacon of hope for a greener future.

Metal endures beyond the penthouse

The renovation and expansion of Scaife Hall—originally built of limestone in the mid-1950s—showcases the enduring appeal of metal in contemporary architecture, and this allure goes beyond the mechanical penthouse to the structure underneath it.

Other additions to the exterior of the building are seen in its glass box design, with angled, perforated aluminum panels that not only provide shading from the western afternoon sun, but also seamlessly continue the rhythm established by the building’s original tall, narrow windows. This cadence of aluminum reflects the proportions of the original 1956 structure, paying homage to the building’s heritage.