How do metal buildings meet the needs of education and government facilities? See MBMA’s case studies
The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has published two new case studies, Educational Campus Facilities and Government Facilities. These reports profile 14 educational campuses and 15 government facilities, all of which are metal buildings.
It’s more important than ever for school districts, colleges and universities, and government agencies to get the high-quality buildings they need without breaking the bank, according to Tony Bouquot, MBMA’s general manager. “As these new case studies show, metal buildings are the common denominator in providing great-looking, energy-efficient and cost-effective buildings for these organizations.”
Ventilation and light
Educational buildings have a variety of needs they must meet, including proper ventilation and air circulation, plenty of natural light, lots of open space and flexibility for changing needs and future growth. The case study looks at 14 metal building facilities across various uses and stakeholders. These facilities range from large athletic buildings such as the 138,000-square-foot Kelly Family Sports Center at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, to smaller, special-use structures like the 5,000-square-foot Poplar Hall Agriculture Center for Innovation at Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan, Colorado.
One fascinating building is the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma’s Camp Trivera STEM Center in Oklahoma City. Camp Trivera is America’s first urban STEM camp for girls. Activities are centered around the main structure—a two-story metal building lodge with teaching areas, a training kitchen, event and group space as well as a covered outdoor learning area. The exterior has tent-shaped details that minimize direct sunlight and create a classic camping emblem.
From aircraft hangars to fire stations
The versatility of metal buildings also makes them popular for government buildings, from aircraft hangars and event centers to fire stations and recycling facilities. This profiles 15 different structures encompassing a range of uses. The 77,000-square-foot Plano Recycling Facility and Learning Center, for instance, serves the recycling needs of more than 510,000 residents and 2,500 commercial customers in North Texas. Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Station #2 in Delaware includes two buildings with housing, an engine bay and office space totaling 19,000 square feet. Towns County Recreation & Conference Center in Hiawassee, Georgia, is housed in a nearly 36,000-square-foot metal building. This community centerpiece holds two full-size basketball courts, a training fitness room and dance studio, and a second-story walking track. Additional projects reviewed in this resource include a public works and animal control center, a government agency testing center, a town hall—and much more.
These two new reports add to a growing list of MBMA case studies that include Retail & Wholesale, Distilleries & Breweries, Vehicle Sales & Service, and Metal Roofing & Solar. In addition to these helpful resources, there are other useful brochures and fact sheets about metal buildings and the metal building industry available for free download on the MBMA website.