Metal wall panels enhance AI-focused school’s high-tech looks
The Atlanta metro area continues to be a growth magnet, often adding 60,000 new residents a year during the past decade. Gwinnett County is one of its fastest growing regions, with a population topping one million in 2024. Of course, with growth comes a need for new schools, and county leaders are approaching this expansion with tomorrow’s tech-focused future in mind.
The recently opened Seckinger High School in Buford, Ga., for example, has an academic emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and an exterior design that could be at home on a modern corporate campus, with an extensive of use of architectural metal wall panels paired with ample glass curtainwall.
The 510,000-sq.-ft. school, with capacity for 2,375 students, might seem oversized for its hometown of Buford, population 17,144, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. But the larger county operates its schools regionally, so attendance draws from across its northern communities. Seckinger now heads a “sector” that includes its feeder elementary and middle schools focused on AI. Architects with Atlanta’s Smallwood Reynolds Stewart drew on this intent when developing their exterior plans.
While the material palette of brick veneer, glass curtainwall and architectural metal is a classic for high schools, these elements come together to create a sophisticated, futuristic appearance. The metal wall panels, in two profile/finish combinations, add important contrast in this plan. Clean-lined, slate-toned flush units are used to call out entrances and corners and as visual breaks separating window bays. Darker, ribbed panels bracket the entrance and help emphasize horizontality and create a running background along upper floors.
Installers with Abuck Building Systems from nearby Alpharetta selected two PAC-CLAD products from Petersen’s lineup for the project. These included 35,000 sq. ft. of the company’s HWP panels with clip fasteners in Charcoal Gray and 14,000 sq. ft. of Flush panels in Slate Gray, all fabricated from .040-gauge aluminum. Both styles are available in varied profiles, along with a range of standard and custom finishes.
Petersen, a Carlisle company, manufactures PAC-CLAD architectural metal cladding systems in multiple gauges of steel and aluminum. PAC-CLAD products include wall panel systems, standing seam roof panel systems, vented or solid soffit panels, perforated metal, insulation, coil and flat sheet, composite panels, column covers, plus fascia and coping. All are available in a Kynar-based 70% PVDF Fluropon coating in 50 standard colors that include a 35-year finish warranty. Most colors meet LEED requirements and are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council. Custom colors and weathertightness warranties are offered. BIM and CAD files are available for most products. Founded in 1965, Petersen’s facilities are located in Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Maryland, Arizona and Washington. For information on the complete line of Petersen’s PAC-CLAD metal products visit pac-clad.com, call 800-PAC-CLAD or write to info@pac-clad.com.
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