IMPs Make the Grade at the University of the District of Columbia

Highlights

• The student center is one of only two LEED Platinum-certified university student unions on the east coast
• IMPs were chosen for the single wall building element – one component could deliver insulation, weather barrier and aesthetics
• The 83,000 sq. ft. building is the centerpiece of a 10-year master plan and is the site for engaging and supporting students

Challenge

Both Designwall 2000 and Designwall 1000 panels were used in the student center, but they were installed with different thicknesses as a design element. The Designwall 2000 panels were 3 in. thick and the Designwall 1000 panels were 1/8 in. thick, presenting the challenge of how to integrate the two panels instead of separating them.

This is a difficult fabrication to do, but the capabilities of the Designwall 2000 panel allowed for this integration. Kingspan Designwall panels are designed to allow complete creative freedom, whether it's orienting panels vertically or horizontally, integrating panels with window systems/design louvers/sunshades or incorporating trimless ends, longitudinal and transverse bends or folded corners as design elements.

Solution

To integrate the two products together and maintain the thermal integrity of the envelope, Kingspan had to bend the Designwall 2000 panel around to where half of the panel would be 3 in. thick and the other side of the panel would turn into the 1/8 in. thick size.

The Designwall 2000 would go around the bend and become the Designwall 1000 panel in the same panel. These 1/8 in. panels continue into the interior of the building without a step up in the framing. 

Influence

 A focus for the UDC Student Center was balancing sustainability with modern design – which is where IMPs came in. Using IMPs was a cost-effective way for the building owner to take advantage of continuous insulation and improve the energy efficiency of the entire building. 

One architectural firm recently did a thermal imaging of the building and was very impressed with the performance of that continuous insulation. After four years, the panels continue to provide high levels of thermal performance.

Sustainability is always at the core of Kingspan’s product life cycle – insulated metal panels are designed for 30-40 years of use, and reuse after that. Much of the steel in the panel skins is recycled and 100% of the scraps created during the manufacturing can be recycled. The Designwall panels used are GREENGUARD Gold certified, which means they have low VOCs – especially important in schools where the quality of indoor air is vital to the health of occupants. 

“This building is a symbol of where we want to be and what we want to represent in terms of our role with the District.”

- Ronald Mason, Jr.

President

University of the District of Columbia

LOCATION

Washington D.C., DC

BUILDING OWNER

University of the District of Columbia

CONTRACTOR

Forrester Construction

MANUFACTURER

Kingspan Insulated Panels

SIZE

37,700 sq. ft. of IMPs

DATE COMPLETED

January 2016