The laidback lifestyle of the Michigan charter township of Orion is wrapped up in its motto, “Where living is a vacation.” Located in suburban Detroit, the township offers multiple options for outdoor recreation, including more than 4,200 acres of parks. So, when it came time for a new municipal complex, including a township hall and county sheriff’s office substation, both architects and the local board of trustees wanted to maintain a relaxed, rural vibe.
The resulting structures support this goal, falling broadly within the modern farmhouse design school. Interestingly, much of this look is achieved through the use of architectural metal panels – including what appears to be wood board-and-batten cladding.
Township leaders had debated the need for upgraded facilities to house government offices, meeting spaces and a new sheriff’s office for two decades. A 2018 facilities assessment identified all the ways the current structure was falling short – and the costs required to address those issues – proved the motivation to begin planning for a replacement. Construction began in September 2020, in the heart of the Covid pandemic.
Designers with Rochester, Mich.-based AKA Architects Inc., drew from the surrounding landscape – the site was once a farm and is surrounded by scenic woodlands that feature a popular walking trail. To make the most of their $18.4 million budget, they turned to architectural metal wall and roof panels to complement concrete masonry units and a substantial use of glass curtainwall to create the structure’s warm and welcoming façade.
Petersen was selected to supply the PAC-CLAD metal panels. The company’s wide portfolio of products and profiles offered designers numerous options for creating the look they wanted at an affordable cost. The entrance, for example, is highlighted by vertical Board and Batten panels that mimic traditional clapboard designs in a Bone White finish that won’t need repainting. Additional Petersen products include the company’s 7.2 and Corrugated panels – in Slate Gray and Graphite, respectively – used for visual interest in select locations, along with clean-lined Flush panels to bring a contemporary contrast to soffit for overhanging canopies. Finally, 14,531 sq. ft. of Petersen’s Snap-Clad standing seam roof panels in Hartford Green top both the municipal hall and sheriff’s substation, providing an eye-catching finishing touch that hearkens back to the site’s agricultural past.
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