Tag:Cool Roof
Metal Buildings and “Green” Construction
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMB’s) are one of the most environmentally friendly forms of construction for large scale projects. Almost by definition, the PEMB is optimized to provide the required building function with the minimum of waste. Couple that with the fact that steel is a recyclable material and this adds to the green aspect of PEMB construction.
We recently received a letter from Butler Manufacturing Company (BMC) talking about the new EcoCalculator and how it applies to PEMB construction. The letter included the following quote: “Our type of construction customarily instills a level of predictability in terms of cost, erection time and quality,” said David E. Evers, PE, vice president of research and development for Butler Manufacturing and chairman of the Energy Committee for the Metal Building Manufacturers Association. “The growing interest in applying metal building structural, roof and wall assemblies to ‘green’ buildings has led to their inclusion in the development and acceptance of a tool known as the EcoCalculator for Assemblies developed by The Athena Institute, in association with the University of Minnesota and Morrison Hershfield Consulting Engineers (http://www.athenasmi.org/tools/ecoCalculator/indec/html). This remarkable software provides architects, engineers, contractors and others instant access to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for hundreds of common building sections, including a number of typical metal building assemblies.”
Metal Building construction is one of the “green” ideas that makes sense. Easterday Construction Co., Inc. has been a Butler Builder for over 30 years and has always been pleased by the quality of the BMC product. This is one of the construction ideas that was “green” long before green grew to its current popularity!
First National Bank of Monterey Facade Changes
First National Bank pf Monterey with New Taller Parapet
We have continued to work on the Annex addition at the main branch of the First National Bank of Monterey. The new MR-24 Standing Seam Roof on the existing building (previously discussed here) required the extension of the parapet wall on the front facade. We were able to find black panels similar to the existing and have custom formed aluminum spacers to mimic the existing panels beneath them. The effect has been to enhance the look of the existing entrance and is actually quite striking.
New lower facade on the First National Bank of Monterey Annex
For security, it was decided that the first floor facade of the Annex should be infilled with brick. Brick similar to that used on the bank was used for continuity. The existing columns and decorative trim was retained as well as the stone steps. In the picture you can see that the center step is well worn by over 100 years of foot traffic.
First National Bank of Monterey Logo on the Annex in Monterey
The bank’s logo, an overlaid F, N & B, were custom fabricated by Titus Inc.from specifications created by Easterday Construction Co., Inc. The letters are steel and were factory painted in the bank’s signature colors. They are bolted through the brick wall. The bolts holding them include 2″ spacers giving the logo a three dimensional effect. Framed by the existing columns, the logo helps tie the two buildings together.
BMC “Cool Roof” Technology
Butler Manufacturing Company (BMC) offers sustainable 25-yr color finishes that meet the reflectance and emittance standards established by the energy codes for “cool roofs.” Butler cool roofs help mitigate the Heat Island Effect, which produces high relative temperatures in urban areas that contribute to smog formation. In this way, Butler® building systems help ensure a safer habitat and microclimate. Butler Manufacturing Company is making efforts to make their products as “Green” as possible. Read how BMC products meet various LEED requirements here and here.
