At Roy Manufacturing, we take great pride in our role as a producer of high-quality perforated metal products, and our recent collaboration with Finnoe Design in the construction of Carla O. Peperzak Middle School in Spokane, Washington has been a testament to our dedication to precision and craftsmanship. Architecture can spark creativity and encourage analytic thought–not to mention bring together a community of students, teachers, and administrators in a comfortable and safe environment. We were delighted to have a role in the building of this new school.
Nestled on the south side of Spokane, Washington, Carla O. Peperzak Middle School is a shining example of the community’s dedication to education and infrastructure. Its construction was made possible through the 2018 Bond, a testament to Spokane voters’ commitment to enhancing their children’s learning environments. The school, located at 2620 E. 63rd Ave, boasts a remarkable 145,000 square feet of space and is designed to accommodate up to 825 students, reflecting the city’s forward-thinking approach to education and its growing student population.
Perforated metal infill panels, as architectural elements, play a pivotal role in transforming the functional and aesthetic aspects of a structure. These panels, often composed of steel, aluminum, or stainless steel, are designed with small holes or perforations that serve various essential functions in building design.
Functionally, our perforated metal infill panels offer multiple advantages for various building projects. They act as effective sunscreens, regulating the amount of natural light that enters a building, thus reducing glare and heat. This not only enhances energy efficiency but also improves the overall comfort of building occupants. In addition, the panels facilitate natural ventilation, contributing to better indoor air quality and reducing the reliance on mechanical HVAC systems. In some instances, they function as acoustic barriers, mitigating noise pollution from the surrounding environment.
Aesthetically, these railing infill panels are a playground for creativity in building design. Our perforated patterns can be customized to create intricate designs or abstract art, providing a unique and contemporary character to the architecture. Depending on the chosen metal finish, they can achieve a sleek, modern appearance or embrace an industrial aesthetic. The interplay of light and shadow through the perforations can create a visually stunning effect, ensuring that the building stands out and sparks the viewer’s imagination.
For decades to come, inspired students and dedicated educational professionals will be transitioning from class to class in front of our work for this project. In the Finnoe Design project for Carla O. Peperzak Middle School, Roy Manufacturing was entrusted with the production of perforated metal railing infill panels, an integral part of the school’s balconies and stairwells.
To meet the project’s unique requirements, we employed several models of our tried-and-true manufacturing equipment and a meticulous selection of materials. Our experienced team utilized advanced laser cutting technology to create precise perforations, ensuring the panels met the exact design specifications. For the school’s panels, a pattern consisting of 1/4″ diameter round holes on a 3/8” stagger was selected.
For this project, we chose mild steel (11 GA Hot Rolled Pickled & Oiled (HRP&O)) as the material of choice due to its durability, resistance to corrosion, and ease of maintenance, making it ideal for a school environment. A total of 260 parts ranging in size from 25″ x 36″ to 25″ x 48″ were used. Some of the panels were made in a triangular form due to their placement within stairwells. The mild steel panels, with their perforated patterns, not only serve the practical functions of regulating light and enhancing safety but also add a touch of modern sophistication to the school’s design.
In summary, Roy Manufacturing is proud to have played a crucial role in enhancing the Finnoe Design school building project. Our perforated metal infill panels serve not only functional purposes such as light control, ventilation, and acoustics but also significantly elevate the building’s aesthetics. With our commitment to precision and quality, we look forward to continuing our journey of contributing to innovative and beautiful architectural designs in the years to come.