School board building’s roof reflects kite-flying history of its location
The new home for the Homewood Board of Education Central Office in Alabama is a 14,500 sq. ft. modern structure which represents the first phase of a long-term plan to develop a 24 acre site in a suburb of Birmingham.
The contemporary structure was designed by Williams Blackstock Architects, Birmingham. “The roof design was inspired by the site it sits on which was known as Kite Hill,” said architect Kyle Kirkwood. “It’s a spot where kids and parents came to fly kites. The roof, which slopes in two different directions, is representative of the popular site.”
The design incorporates approximately 24,000 sq. ft. of PAC-CLAD material in four different profiles. The main roof includes 16,000 sq. ft. of Petersen Aluminum’s Snap-Clad panels up to 60 ft. long. The design also incorporates an interior application of the Snap-Clad panels by integrating panels into the lobby area. In addition, 7,000 sq. ft. of Flush Panels were used in soffit applications. Several hundred square feet each of PAC-CLAD Tite-Loc panels and Precision Series horizontal wall panels were used in an entry canopy application and mechanical equipment screen, respectively. All panels were manufactured at Petersen Aluminum’s Acworth, Ga., plant.
The roof design was complex, Kirkwood recalled. “Since the roof slopes in two directions, we had an interesting valley situation where we had to coordinate the orientation of the seams,” he said. “The school board is extremely proud of its new home that will serve the system and community for many years.”
The Homewood City School System serves a K-12 enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and includes three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The school system is well known for its tradition of educational excellence for all students. “We offer a system enriched by diversity, tradition, community spirit and vision,” said Dr. Bill Cleveland, superintendent.
