Salk Middle School

Insulated metal panels ushered in a new era for Salk Middle School, originally built in 1961 and in need of replacement.

Highlights

• The replacement project consisted of a new 97,000 square foot, two-story structure and demolition of the existing middle school
• Insulated metal panels were used to find the right aesthetic and modernize the building
• Construction happened in two phases to keep the school operational during the replacement process

Challenge

The challenge the architects faced was finding the right aesthetic and durability standard for the new middle school. The new school not only had to be energy efficient, it had to have a design that appealed to the community and to the students walking its halls.

The additional challenge of the replacement project was ensuring that the construction on the school would not disrupt operations and would be strategically timed, so students could still attend class.

Solution

To fit the design and continuous insulation requirements, architects chose Kingspan’s insulated metal panels. Designwall 2000 helped the architects complete the building’s look with pops of color, and they also provided thermal efficiency.

KarrierPanel, used primarily for the second phase of the project, created a universal wall barrier throughout the school. The panels use the KarrierRail system to transmit the load from the façade to structural supports behind the panels. In this case, the architects chose a corrugated profile for the façade to help modernize the building.

Influence

The Salk Middle School project spanned nearly a decade from proposal to ribbon-cutting. For 50 years, students passed through the same hallways and classrooms, but with this new building, students get to learn in a physical space that matches their generation.

The new school design promotes academics and extracurriculars, preparing its students for a fulfilling middle school experience.  

Quote

“We chose insulated metal panels because we felt they gave us the desired aesthetic and also met our continuous insulation requirements.”

- Michael Cole

Project Manager

NAC Architecture

LOCATION

Spokane, WA

CONTRACTOR

Garco Construction Inc.

MANUFACTURER

Kingspan Insulated Panels

SIZE

97,000 Sq. Ft.

DATE COMPLETED

November 2017