Custom Metalwërks® Assemblies Create Distinct Design Elements on South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center
Vertically-oriented louver fins present striking profile for 650,000 SF facility
KENNETT SQUARE, PA…Metalwërks® provided design assistance and materials for highly-customized, vertically-oriented exterior louver fins for the South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center. Located in the dynamic Seaport District of Boston, MA, and partially spanning the existing I-90 tunnel structure, the new facility covers 650,000 square feet and contains around 1,500 parking spaces across nine levels.
“This complex, highly-customized project would not have been possible without close collaboration with all teams,” says John Scorsone, Sales Engineer, Metalwërks. “We were thrilled to develop this unique structural element and help the design team determine a viable and attractive solution.”
Working in tandem with architects Fennick McCredie Architecture from the project’s onset, Metalwërks developed 650 louver fin assemblies coated in 12 custom colors. The facade was ultimately designed using solid 3/16” thick, aluminum plate, vertically oriented fins that extend 4’ off of the face of the pre-cast structure. There are 5 varying profiles for the fins, each with a different angle in relation to the pre-cast, each of which had to be fabricated, painted, and then assembled into individual units up 20’ long.
The fins were then supported using custom-designed extruded aluminum brackets. All of the brackets were painted the same gray shade as the precast to create the appearance that the fins were floating in space. In order to support the fins against windloads, strategically-placed stainless steel rods were used to connect the fins back to the precast.
Because of the project’s complexity, the Metalwërks team worked closely with all involved parties: The architect, general contractor, installer, and manufacturer were able to communicate continuously with one another on this project, and the shop drawings were developed simultaneously by the manufacturer and the architect.
“During the entire Design-Assist phase, Metalwerks worked tirelessly with the façade team, Fennick McCredie, Skanska, and the installer, Sunrise Erectors Inc, to develop the means and methods to turn the design into a reality,” says Scorsone. “Daily web meetings were held during the process to discuss and share details and confirm the functionality of the design.”
Metalwërks solid metal plate panels are an ideal exterior cladding material, due to their thickness and strength. Metal plate’s robust nature also makes it far more resistant to denting than ACM or sheet metal, whether caused by people or the forces of nature. At the South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center, Fennick McCredie leveraged metal plate’s high strength and formability, and Metalwërks’ expertise, to deliver a remarkable exterior façade.
The South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center was completed in May 2018. The architect was Fennick McCredie Architecture LTD, and the general contractor was Skanska. Sunrise Erectors provided installation services.
About Metalwërks:
Founded in 1968, Metalwërks is the leading U.S. manufacturer of precision high-performance metal plate exterior facade systems, integrated curtain wall components, and custom architectural features. The company works in close collaboration with top architects to achieve new levels of form and function in systems precision-manufactured from solid metal plate. Metalwërks is unparalleled in the quality, diversity, integrity and reputation of its systems, services, and employees. For more information, visit: www.metalwerksusa.com
Headquartered in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, with production facilities in Elkton, Maryland, Metalwërks is the leading US manufacturer of precision high performance metal plate exterior facade systems, integrated curtain wall components, and custom architectural features.
Since 1968, Metalwërks has worked in close collaboration with top architects to achieve new levels of form and function in systems precision-manufactured from solid metal plate. Today, Metalwërks remains committed to innovating architectural plate systems that meet the ever-evolving aesthetic, functional, performance, and environmental requirements of architects and building owners.
Originally founded as a metal fabrication and contracting company, Metalwërks possesses a wealth of real-world experience and knowledge that informs every design and engineering decision that go into its systems and projects. This is a big reason why Metalwërks systems are more materially and structurally efficient, far more easily and affordably constructible, and why architects, owners, and contractors alike continue to prefer Metalwërks systems over alternatives.
As a family-owned company, Metalwërks takes ultimate pride in the high quality, integrity and good reputation of its systems, services, and employees. This unwavering commitment to quality is most evident in its craftsmanship, unparalleled in the industry.
Metalwërks stands behind all of its products to ensure absolute customer satisfaction.