Best Ribbed Metal Wall Panels: San Jose Fire Station: Metal Compliments Semi-Industrial Neighborhood
by Jonathan McGaha | June 30, 2008 12:00 am
RRM Design Group, San Luis Obispo, Calif., was hired by The San Jose Fire Department, San Jose, Calif., to assist in the development of a master program that would serve as the basis for design for all future fi re stations within the city.
“This program included analysis and recommendations for site and building requirements, including space needs, equipment lists and specifications, component diagrams, conceptual project budget, and prototype floor and site plans,” said Jim Duffy, AIA, RRM Design Group. According to Duffy, the San Jose Fire Station #34 plans and elevations were designed for its specific building orientation and related to the climate, sun and wind patterns, as well as the fire department’s operational needs.
RRM completed work on the $5.5 million station in December 2007. The 12,000-square foot (1,115-m2), two-company fire station houses three shifts of 10 firefighters each. The two-story, three-apparatus bay station sits on 1.03 acres (0.4 hectares) in a semi-industrial neighborhood of San Jose.
The fire station utilizes about 4,510 square feet (419 m2) of 24-gauge Nu-Wave Corrugated wall panels in unpainted Zincalume Plus installed horizontally and about 480 square feet (45 m2) of 24-gauge DuraTech 5000 Box Rib metal wall panels in Bright Red installed vertically. The project also featured 850 square feet (79 m2) of Prestige Series panels in Bright Red and 620 square feet (58 m2) of Prestige Series panels in Zincalume, both installed vertically. Dallas-based AEP Span manufactured all the panels.
“Metal was chosen for its durability and ease of maintenance, as well as, from a sustainability perspective, for its low embodied energy, high recycled content and ability to be recycled in the future,” Duffy said.
The fire station is a highly durable and low maintenance facility. Compared to brick masonry, the metal envelope used on the station is more resilient to the typical wear and tear that can incur over time because of the movement in California’s high seismic zone. Additionally, the precoated metal panels are easy to clean and will not need to be repainted over time.
“Metal siding was used to compliment the neighboring semi-industrial and hi-tech buildings,” Duffy said. “The metal panels and colors were also used to evoke the archetypal image of a fire engine to define and represent the building as a fire station.” Metal is used consistently throughout the station, from the metal side panels and awnings to the canopy and architectural mechanical screen. The station’s lobby also features metal siding to connect the interior to the feel of the exterior.
Design elements include simple massing, along with a limited palate of robust materials, such as decorative concrete block walls, stained concrete fl oors, exterior and interior metal wall panels, and aluminum storefront glazing that are easy to maintain and will age gracefully over time.
The project utilized Trifab VersaGlaze 451T storefront framing system by Kawneer, Norcross, Ga. The glazing for 1-inch (25-mm) insulated units and clear low-E and spandrel obscured glass is from Pilkington North America Inc., Toledo, Ohio (Pilkington Energy Advantage Low-E and Optifloat Satin).
The station’s floor plan was designed to achieve the most efficient circulation patterns for firefighter operations while minimizing the response time from any location to the fire apparatus during an emergency call.
The station’s living spaces are located on the east and south faces to capture daylight during the winter months while being kept out of direct sunlight during the summer and late afternoon hours. Operational windows and ceiling fans were provided in living spaces and bunkrooms to minimize the need for air conditioning.
Design Awards judge Ron McKenzie said: “The use of metal provided a high-tech feel that compliments the culture of the high-tech Silicon Valley and also fit into the metal-sided industrial buildings that surrounded the project. The project also required high durability and low maintenance, and the various use of metals satisfied this design goal.”
“Ribbed metal siding of different size ribs and colors was combined to create an energetic and functional design that is a strong modern design statement,” said judge Mark Dewalt.
San Jose Fire Station No. 34, San Jose, Calif.
Architect: RRM Design Group, San Luis Obispo, Calif., www.rrmdesign.com
General contractor: Gonsalves & Stronck Construction Co., San Carlos, Calif., www.gs-construction.com
Metal installer: Facility Systems Mechanical Contractors Inc., San Jose, (408) 226-6060
Metal wall panels: AEP Span, Dallas, www.aepspan.com
Storefront system: Kawneer, Norcross, Ga., www.kawneer.com
Storefront installer: Progress Glass Co., San Francisco, www.progressglass.com
Glazing and glass: Pilkington North America Inc., Toledo, Ohio, www.pilkington.com
Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/projects/san-jose-fire-station/