Project Overview
Administrators at Tilden Elementary Center in Hamburg, Pa., wanted an environmentally friendly building for their kindergarten through fifth-graders –without incurring higher costs.
They achieved this with precast concrete insulated sandwich wall panels embedded with thin brick to create an efficient but traditional appearance.
Precast Solution
The 10-inch-thick panels feature 3 inches of continuous XPS insulation sandwiched between a 4-inch interior wythe and a 3-inch exterior wythe. Carbon-fiber shear grid connects the wythes, virtually eliminating hot and cold spots on the interior wall and preserving comfort for students.
The carbon fiber grid also creates complete composite action, allowing the load-bearing walls to deliver structural support more efficiently than non-composite designs.
The building features a traditional brick façade composed of thin brick embedded in the panel face. Exposed precast banding and window sills impart the feel of limestone accents. A large, central cupola is the focal point of the building.
|