Metal Enhances Learning Environment

The spirit of Penn Yan Academy in central New York is based on Yankee ingenuity. The same type of inventiveness was also applied to the attractive durable metal exterior and high-tech interior of the 50-year-old building that was renovated and expanded in 2010. 

The name “Penn Yan” is short for Pennsylvania Yankee, which was created by the early settlers of this rural community in New York’s Finger Lakes region. It’s also an area where craftsmen have used metal walls and roofs since the 1800s. 

Penn Yan Academy challenges students by providing an intellectually stimulating learning environment. But the high school’s small, outdated structure did not reflect the school’s upbeat attitude and it no longer offered a modern atmosphere for learning.

The project’s main goal was to enhance the learning environment. The other goal was to renovate the facility that was built in 1962 to meet current code requirements. Nearly all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were replaced to optimize energy efficiency, including asbestos abatement. Metal was chosen for its sustainable attributes and to create a sleek, new look for the exterior that would reflect the school’s cutting-edge approach to education.

King + King Architects, LLP, Syracuse, NY, is the architect of record for this project. The firm’s relationship with the Penn Yan Central School District spans nearly 25 years. Jason Benedict is the firm’s project manager for the school district’s projects.

“Planning for this unique project began about 6 years ago. It was supposed to be a new building and then the district decided to update the current one, so it became a 165,000-sq-ft addition and renovation project that nearly doubled the size of the building,” Benedict said.

The 90,000 sq ft of renovated areas include the kitchen, locker rooms, band and chorus rooms, main office, student support services, and fitness area, as well as miscellaneous finish upgrades. The 75,000-sq-ft addition includes a new wing with a media center, science center, classrooms, gymnasium with visiting team rooms, storage, and a loading dock.

The entire exterior of the building underwent a complete makeover, integrating rich blue and cool, elegant gray panels along with a variety of other cladding products to achieve a colorful, modern look. The metal wall panels, with their sustainable characteristics and a wide range of available color and texture options, made it possible for the architects to achieve their goals. 

“The school district’s intent was to update the envelope with a state-of-the-art look and continue that into the interior space. Energyefficiency was a critical thing in both mechanicals and the envelope. The existing building had a curtainwall system that had been in place for some time. District officials wanted to maintain the functions of this system but bring the efficiency, color, and style up to date. The choice of metal products met their needs,” Benedict said. 

The wall systems chosen by King + King are from CENTRIA, Moon Township, PA. “The unique aspect of the CENTRIA panel system was how the tongue-and-groove design created a very tight building from the exterior shell that made the building able to meet or exceed code requirements for walls. We used insulated metal panels with some flat and some corrugated profiles,” Benedict noted. The wall panels also were chosen for their sustainable aspects, including recycled content and the ability to be recycled.

Construction was done in short bursts during summers and school holidays, so the quick installation provided by insulated metal panels was a great asset to the series of tight schedules. An insulated metal panel (IMP) is a strong, single unit constructed of a rigid core of insulation adhered between two sheets of metal. It provides an exceptionally strong building enclosure that minimizes thermal short circuits. Its single-unit construction also eliminates the need for multiple components and related labor.

“Efficiency in installation was part of the equation. The insulated metal panels were modular and easily applied to the existing structure. Project time from construction to completion was 2.5–3 years. It is typical in school construction to stop and start to keep school in session. However, in this district students and teachers did not have the luxury of moving to another location during construction as is sometimes the case,” Benedict said.

King + King has frequently chosen metal for walls and roofs. “One of the things relative to the metal panel product is durability; some think it is not as durable as masonry or cement. Metal is highly durable so we use it quite often on our school projects. Sometimes we need to have a conversation about cost with administrators. Even if the metal products cost more up front, the savings in labor during construction and the low maintenance and long-term durability usually help the district realize the value of metal products,” Benedict said. 

The best part of finishing a longterm project such as this is not only the lasting visual appeal, but also the enduring energy efficiency for the school district.

“The community and school district love the look of the building. During the process of design and construction, the school district’s administration had changed and the new superintendent did not know all the details but had very positive comments on the fresh appearance and the state-of-the-art building.” 

LOCATION    

Penn Yan Academy 

BUILDING OWNER    

Penn Yan Central School District, Penn Yan, NY 

ARCHITECT
King + King Architects, LLP, Syracuse, NY

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
LeChase Construction, Rochester, NY 

CONTRACTOR
Spoleta Construction, Rochester, NY 

METAL SUPPLIER
Arrow Sheet Metal Works, Inc., Buffalo, NY 

METAL INSTALLER
Capital Sheeting, Inc., Eden, NY 

COMPLETION DATE
August 2010

PHOTOGRAPHY
David Revette Photography Inc