Originally built in the 1960’s, the exterior envelope of Mattahunt Elementary School in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston was failing.  The Boston Public Facilities Department sought to construct a new long-term, high-performance, cost-effective building envelope that would express the education aspirations of the school.

Approximately 28,000 sq. ft. of Dri-Design .080 aluminum panels in Gray, Cool Gray, Daredevil, Orange, Resoant Blue and Clear Anodized were utilized on the project.

Design for the project was provided by Gale Associates, Inc., Weymouth, MA working in conjunction with Utile, Inc. Architecture + Planning, Boston.  “The original exterior was a 40-year-old, 2” insulated metal panel system that was deteriorating and leaking at the U channel joint between the two floors,” according to Brian Neely, project architect with Gale Associates.  “We looked at several exterior systems and selected the Dri-Design system based on high performance and cost benefit.  It also allowed us to bring a lot of life and color to the renovated building.”

The Dri-Design panels also were used in a unique application regarding signage. Select panels were perforated to prominently spell out the name of the school on the exterior.  “We were looking for a way to bring the name front and center,” Neely said.