People: Architect, tvsdesign, Atlanta; fabricator, MetalTech-USA, Peachtree City, Ga.; installers, General Works of Tampa and Morrell Architectural Systems, Tampa; construction manager, Peter R. Brown Construction, Tampa.
Products: Three different products from Woburn, Mass.–based Rheinzink were utilized on the project. Approximately 17,500 square feet of 0.8-millimeter, 22-gauge Double Lock Standing Seam Panels clad the roof and 6,500 square feet of 1.2-millimeter, 18-gauge Vertical Reveal Panels clad the façade and soffits. Also, 3,000 square feet of zinc composite material (ZCM) was used on the fascia and canopies. All components were finished in preweathered blue-gray.
Fine Points: Early in the design process, the team considered stainless steel for the roof as a reference to the stainless steel minarets that grace Tampa University’s historic Plant Hall. Ultimately, zinc was selected because of its visual softness and ability to diffuse light. The durability and sustainability of the material also was an important factor. The self-healing nature of zinc and the fact that it will patina over time was important to the owners. The MetalTech-USA engineering and design team developed the roofing and wall cladding specifications for the chapel. Because durability was a major point of focus in this project, the design team paid close attention to the the life-cycle impacts of each design and installation decision.