MetalTech-Global Clads One of the Nation’s Top Pediatric Hospitals in 13,000 square feet of Stainless Steel Flatlock
Children’s Hospital Colorado, recognized as one of the leading pediatric facilities in the nation, has expanded onward and southward to the burgeoning southern communities of Denver. The close of 2013 welcomed the opening of Children’s Hospital Colorado South Campus in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. This satellite campus includes urgent and ambulatory care and outpatient and inpatient beds. At four stories and 182,000 square feet, Children’s South was designed with the future capacity to expand as it’s already expected to host nearly 80,000 patients during its first year.
FKP Architects was charged with the task of creating an expansion reminiscent of the hub in Aurora while also imbuing a vibrancy befitting Children’s Hospital Colorado. In the design phase, project designers Paul Asteris and Michael Shirley of FKP met with senior leaders at Children’s to delineate “guiding principles.” One such principle was to extend the Children’s “brand” as defined by their values and the components of their existing facilities in which they identify. Several materials were identified as part of their brand for the façade design. The stainless steel panel system was one of the materials and how FKP envisioned it as part of the Children’s brand. “Although we tried to accomplish a building that was new and fun for the kids, we also needed a link to all the Children’s facilities,” explained Asteris. The main campus in Aurora has stainless steel panels; however, for this offshoot, FKP desired material exuding a little more vibrancy. Zinc and aluminum panels with an iridescent coating were considered, but after receiving stainless steel samples from MetalTech-Global with more “sparkle” than previously reviewed, FKP settled on stainless steel to adhere to the guiding principles as well as control costs. MetalTech-Global was chosen to fabricate the wall system, cladding the façade with 13,000 square feet of 22 gauge, #4 Polish Stainless Steel Flatlock Panels.
