Metal wall panels enhance façade, boost viability of struggling mall
Before its amazing transformation, Hanover Square in Hanover Park, Ill., was a failing, barely 50 percent-leased strip center with few redeeming qualities. “It was completely run-down and had to have been one of the least attractive strip centers in the area,” said David Cornes, principal at David Cornes Architect in Chicago.
One constraint Cornes faced in designing the renovation was that the center was very long and low—1,400 linear feet with only 12-ft. ceilings. “A major design goal was to articulate the front façade and make the structure appear more than it was,” Cornes said.
The other significant challenge was financial. “The budget constraint was overriding and influenced everything we did,” Cornes said. That’s where two Petersen profiles met the challenge.
Approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of Petersen’s Precision Series HWP wall panels were selected as the primary cladding. The 24-gauge steel, 16-in. panels were finished in Medium Bronze. An additional 6,800 sq. ft. of PAC-3000 RS metal composite material (MCM) wall panels accent and highlight the façade. The 4mm MCM rainscreen system panels were finished in White.
“We’ve designed with PAC-CLAD profiles before,” Cornes said. “Petersen offers good availability, reliable delivery, and a great range of colors and profiles that allow for design flexibility.”
Installation of the Petersen panels was completed by Anthony Roofing Tecta America in Aurora, Ill. “The job was originally spec’d using a competitive product and there had been some delays in the early stages of the project,” said Gianni Pellegrinon, sales and project manager. “But when we got involved, we suggested looking at Petersen. We worked closely with the architect to get the most efficient layout in order to stay within the tight budget.”
Architect David Cornes confirmed that the construction process had been long and drawn-out. “There was a change of general contractors mid-stream and that really delayed things,” Cornes noted. “But when Novak Construction got involved as GC, things went pretty smoothly. Novak and Anthony Roofing really rescued the job.” Novak Construction is located in Chicago.
Both PAC-CLAD profiles were fabricated at Petersen’s headquarters facility in Elk Grove Village, Ill.
