Fiber Cement Architectural Wall Panels Selected for Unique Mixed-Use Project in Cambridge, Mass.

Architect: Peter Quinn Architects, Cambridge, MA

Project Type: New Construction

Challenge: The architects needed to find a light-weight, durable, fire-resistant cladding material that had a moisture management system that worked with their budget.

Solution: Fiber cement panels provided custom color availability, easy-installation, fire-resistant material that has a built-in rainscreen system. Due to the versatility of the product, it was able to be installed in the dead of winter, where many other products cannot be, keeping the project on time.

Results: The mixed-use project in Cambridge was completed with the use of fiber cement panels, which provided functionality and modern aesthetics, a true stand-out, creating an all inclusive work/live/play community.

The Cambridge mixed-use project is located at 1075 Mass Avenue, in a highly visible area located in the heart of the Harvard community. The mixed-use facility includes retail stores with residential living space in the back of the building. John Fasano, architect with Peter Quinn Architects, had been waiting for the right project to use fiber cement panels to create the look and feel of an upscale community using customized color options. “This area of Cambridge is progressive and open to new ideas and solutions,” mentioned Fasano. “A mixed-use development like this one is a perfect solution to meet the wants and needs of both residents and the retail community. The fiber cement cladding system is an ideal choice that blends beauty and easy installation together to provide an upscale look to anchor this development.”

Fasano had learned about fiber cement products from a previous project at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts. In fact, Peter Quinn Architects has multiple projects in the Cambridge area, utilizing various fiber cement fiber cement products. “We needed to find a light-weight, durable, fire-resistant cladding material. We considered fiber cement along with other products because they're fire resistant materials, but fiber cement seemed the most suitable for our needs due to their rainscreen system. Additionally, we liked the modular scale of the panels, as well as the concealed fastener system and ease of installation,” stated Fasano.

The Cambridge mixed-used project incorporates fiber cement architectural wall panels in three custom colors. The manufacturer's system allowed for the architect to choose a variety of personalized colors to match the specific design of the building. This provided an attractive finish, quick installation, cost-savings and a vast array of distinctive color options; all of which made fiber cement stand apart from other cladding options in the industry. “Fiber cement panels allowed us to create an interesting, random color pattern at a human scale with clean lines and a finished overall appearance,” commented Fasano. Equally important, the panels were chosen in part to their ability to be installed at all times of the year, regardless of the weather or temperature. The panels for this project were installed in the dead of winter, which is a huge benefit when comparing other types of cladding materials that are preferably installed in warm weather (i.e. brick or stone).