TRANSIT STATION FACADE CASE STUDY

Project: Washington Park Train Station Renovation
Location: Portland
Architect: ZGF Architects

The Project: Located underneath the Oregon Zoo, the Washington Park Tri-Met station is a bustling hub for visitors traveling across Portland. It is the only completely underground station in the Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) system, and at 260 feet below the surface, it is the deepest transit station in the world. ZGF Architects originally designed the station, which opened in 1998. The same firm returned in the fall of 2017 to refresh and re-clad the transit hub, with the goal of brightening the space and alleviating the feeling of being so far underground.

The Challenge: For a public mass-transit system, graffiti and vandalism are big concerns. The architects needed to find a surfacing material that was easy to clean and durable enough to withstand high-traffic and everyday wear. ZGF turned to Caleb Dare, an architectural representative at Facades Northwest, to discuss options for cladding that would meet the project’s needs.

The Solution: “At first ZFG was considering a high-density fiber cement panel system,” Dare says. “But ultimately, they decided on sintered stone because of its leading performance characteristics.” Sintered stone is color stable, low maintenance, and nonporous, making it extremely hygienic and resistant to heat, scratching, staining, and harsh chemicals. ZGF wanted to put the material to the test before it specified it for the project. The team took samples to its office and defaced them with permanent marker and spray paint, let them sit in the sun for two months, and then cleaned them with chemical cleaners and abrasive pads. The test results spoke for themselves. Sintered stone’s nonporous, easy-to-clean surface effortlessly passed the test. With the right surfacing product selected for the new cladding, ZGF was ready to make its vision a reality. The firm chose a selection of different colors and designs in ¼-inch (6-millimeter) thickness.

During construction, the station had to remain operational so the installation process was carefully executed. Each of the 696 cut-to-size panels were fabricated on-site and installed in a mosaic pattern throughout the elevator lobby and train tunnel entrance using a hidden thin-set chemical adhesive bonding agent.

The Results: “The varying panel sizes and finishes give the station texture and depth while dramatically brightening the space,” says Michael Speck, associate partner at ZGF Architects. “Coupled with the new lighting, our design with three different shades of white sintered stone completely transformed the station. Through this process, I’ve learned that sintered stone can be installed in just about any configuration.” The sleek design transformed the Washington Park Station with style and durability that is expected to easily hold up over time.

OFFICE BUILDING FACADE CASE STUDY

Project: San Leandro Tech Campus – Building A
Location: San Leandro, California
Architect: RMW Architecture & Interiors

The Project: The San Leandro Tech Campus (SLTC) is a 1-million-square-foot, technology-focused, mixed-use property being constructed in downtown San Leandro, California. Near the San Leandro BART station, it is the first major office development as part of the city’s Downtown Transit-Oriented Development Strategy. San Leandro is an emerging innovation network, becoming an epicenter for advanced manufacturing, medical research, and green tech industries. The three-phased development includes three six-story office buildings. Phase 1 of the development was completed in November 2016 and includes Building A, a six-story, 132,000-square-foot office building, plus a six-story parking garage. Phase 2, a second building with flexible office space completed in 2018, will be followed by Phase 3, a mixed-use project with a hospitality component.

The Challenge: RMW Architecture & Interiors’ mission is to create inspired human environments through the power of responsible design. To achieve its goal at SLTC, it needed a resilient and sustainable yet modern and stylish facade to withstand the warm California climate and constant sun exposure. The facade also needed to be able to withstand off-site preinstallation on the precast concrete walls.

The Solution: A ventilated facade system with ¼-inch-thick (6-millimeter-thick) sintered stone panels in a striking pattern of colors offered an efficient solution for this demanding exterior project. The use of the large-format sintered stone slabs means installation times are shorter and the facade work is easier and more efficient. The carrier support system utilizes a hidden support structure, which uses a longitudinal elastic chemical adhesive with a vertical support featuring T- and L-profiles. This system helps improve the look of joints, eliminates the transfer of vibrations between materials, and distributes stress evenly without critical points where ruptures could begin on the facade. That, in combination with the use of fiber reinforced tile and stone mortar, gave installers additional adjustment time when working in extreme temperatures. The sintered stone is also innately resistant to the sometimes extreme weather and temperature conditions in San Leandro. Made from 100 percent natural materials, sintered stone’s other physical properties, including resistance to sun exposure, fire, scratches, graffiti, warping, and low porosity, made it the ideal solution for SLTC.

The Results: SLTC combines modern architectural design and LEED Gold standards. Its high-performance building systems use less water and energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize utility and operating expenses to maximize occupant comfort and satisfaction. The sintered stone ventilated facade system contributes to the overall envelope design to reduce the energy costs that come from running a large facility. The sleek sintered stone facades give SLTC the modern look RMW Architects intended while simultaneously helping to reach its sustainability goals for the project.