Each long, slender granite piece for the building’s cladding measures approximately 406.4 mm (6 in.) wide, 1.22 m (4 ft) long, and 57.2 m (2.25 in.) deep, presenting a challenging installation for the contractor. Since the stones are small, they rely on two points of attachment rather than the typical four.
The team laid out the rainscreen’s extruded, anodized aluminum grid system at their shop before delivering it to the site. Each aluminum rail measures 9.1 m (30 ft) long.
Black granite also provides a key design element for the new library project’s green roof, where it adorns the facade and coping. The dimensional, 0.61 x 0.61 m (2 x 2 ft) granite blocks provided challenging rigging, logistics, and installation at the building’s parapet.
This project, in particular, had a challenging installation due to its small piece size; it had two anchor points instead of the typical four. However, with the skilled and well-coordinated team, there was success at every stage.
Today, Charles Library is a centerpiece of Temple University and the city of Philadelphia, where its inspiring design promotes learning, innovation, and community.
Collaboration is key
Key to successful projects is early collaboration among all project team members. When stone is considered for a rainscreen cladding system, the stone supplier should be contacted as part of the conception phase. Working closely with suppliers from the onset of the project will ensure success in realizing the design goals; and the beauty and permanence of stone, such as granite, can be successfully incorporated into the rainscreen system as well.
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