A renovation project of Cornell University’s Upson Hall in Ithaca, N.Y., incorporates a drained and back-ventilated rainscreen system and ornamental window surrounds that give the exterior a distinct appearance. Ajay Glass Co. installed Metalwërks’ ornamental surrounds for the windows and Arcwall aluminum plate panel rainscreen for soffits, fascia and coping. The window framing, curtainwall framing and panels are finished in a two-coat Bone White PVDF. Additionally, a three-coat Bright Yellow accent trim was scattered throughout the façade.
Craig Sobeski, project designer at Perkins + Will, says, “The Arcwall rainscreen was adaptable to the building’s existing conditions and was flexible enough to use across the renovation of the existing structure. It’s a fun product because it can be shaped to precise levels of tolerance. We are not limited, and can achieve that which we draw using this type of metal plate.”
Continuous insulation was installed under the metal wall panels, and the 155,000-square-foot building, originally built in 1956, is certified LEED Platinum. “The continuous insulation had to be at a certain thickness to achieve the high energy performance,” Sobeski says. “Using a thin metal panel like Metalwërks’ let us achieve the desired aesthetic while maintaining a high R-value.”
