CUPACLAD rainscreen cladding system can be seen in the BSA Leadership Center in Fort Snelling.
Location
Fort Snelling (Minnesota), named a “Nature Treasure” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a National Historic Landmark. Therefore, the materials used in the new building needed to be chosen carefully to be consistent with the surrounding area. Natural slate presented itself as an excellent option in order to answer to the efficiency and endurance requirements of the project, as well as from a historical point of view.
A material that has been used during centuries for building homes, castles and cathedrals was a perfectly suitable choice for withstanding the extreme climate of Minnesota. Besides Cupa Pizarras natural slate service life goes beyond 100 years and requires practically no maintenance. Chad J Clow, AIA NCARB, principal at Cuningham Group Architecture noted that the natural slate contributed to the overall aesthetic with its modern metallic luster and yet modest-compliment to the historic 1913 Calvary building that sits adjacent to the BSA Leadership Center. The wall system concept and slate exterior detailing provided the performance required.
Natural Slate Properties
Cupa Pizarras natural slate cladding system was chosen since the longevity, beauty and natural properties of this superb material helped reflect the values of the Boy Scouts of America. The project was undertaken by Cuningham Group Architecture Inc., Mortenson Construction and the Vermont Slate Co. All these features together with its competitive price, compared to other rainscreen systems, made CUPACLAD® 101 LOGIC rainscreen cladding system the most interesting option for this project.
Sustainability
Natural slate is only subject to extraction and simple working processes. There are no chemical products involved in its production process, making it one of the most sustainable building materials. CUPACLAD rainscreen cladding concept helps reduce energy losses by creating an air cavity between the load-bearing wall and the slate rainscreen. All while providing a smart and harmonious design.
