Creating a clear medical identity with a wow factor for Trident Technical College’s Nursing and Science Building in North Charleston, S.C., was accomplished with the use of a Dri-Design Wall Panel System. The structure features 24,378 square feet of 0.080-inch aluminum wall panels from Dri-Design. The panels were finished in Champagne paint and Copper Anodized and Dark Bronze Anodized finishes.
Dri-Design worked closely with Architectural firm LS3P, Charleston, to create the customized panel layout. The installation emphasizes the differences in the Copper Anodized and Dark Bronze anodized finishes that add depth and dimension to the façade. These finishes were selected to mimic copper and bronze. The panels, installed by Custom Exteriors, Muskegon, Mich., also coordinate with the aluminum windows.
Trident Technical College has set the bar high as a sustainable leader; the building is designed to LEED Silver certification. The campus supports an initiative called TTC Green, with a goal to help “create a sustainable future that will positively impact the college, community and beyond.” Dr. Mary Thornley, president of the college, signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment pledging to reduce and ultimately neutralize greenhouse gas emissions. “TTC Green recognizes that Trident Tech has the responsibility to perpetuate green lifestyles through daily operations and knowledgeable graduates who possess the skills to support sustainability efforts. We are part of a community that thinks in terms of green initiatives, and we plan to continue to expand TTC’s role as a good community citizen,” said Dr. Russell Darnall, director of TTC Green.
As a sustainable showcase, The Nursing and Science Building features: innovative wastewater technologies for rainwater harvesting and reuse; low-mercury lighting; photovoltaics; regional and recycled materials, including certified wood; and 36 percent energy use reductions. The metal panels contribute to the green designation because the single-skin metal is made with recycled content and can be easily recycled. Also, the Dri-Design Wall Panel System is environmentally friendly because Dri-Design panels do not require sealants, gaskets or butyl tape for installation. Additionally, Dri-Design panels do not have a plastic core, like that of many aluminum composite products.
“The architectural metal element is a stunning design feature,” said Daniel J. Scheaffer, AIA, LEED BD+C, senior associate with LS3P. “The high-tech material reflects the building’s high-tech healthcare curriculum taking place inside. The subtle variations in the panels create an earthy, healthy feel appropriate to the function of the facility.”
