Lyrik Back Bay is Boston’s most significant mixed-use development in over four decades. Recently opened in 2024, this $700 million project is built over the eight lanes of the Massachusetts Turnpike and two MBTA railways.
The design connects the Back Bay, Fenway and South End neighborhoods, featuring office and lab space, Boston’s first all-electric hotel, retail and dining options and a European-style public plaza.
In line with the city’s initiative to improve coastal resilience, developers Samuels & Company and the architectural firm Elkus Manfredi specified infrastructure protection levels that exceed typical coastal standards and requirements. Spectrum Metal Finishing collaborated with Ferguson Neudorf Glass to apply a two-coat PPG CORAFLON® powder system to the exterior façades of the office tower and boutique hotel.
The Coraflon Coating System: Advanced Protection Against the Elements
This Coraflon system consists of an epoxy primer or base coat, followed by an FEVE-based powder topcoat containing LUMIFLON® FEVE resins. Produced by AGC Chemicals, LUMIFLON® is a solvent-soluble fluoropolymer known for its superior chemical resistance, durability in extreme weather conditions and aesthetic appeal. It is also available as powder and water systems.
Coraflon coatings offer:
- Excellent weatherability against UV radiation, moisture and pollutants
- Corrosion resistance and color stability over long periods
- Resistance to scratching and fading
Cost Efficiency and Compliance with Stringent Standards
LUMIFLON-based architectural-grade powder coatings have made powder coatings an increasingly attractive alternative to liquid coatings for aluminum extrusions and building applications in North America.This shift is driven by:
- Ultra-weatherability
- The growing need for functional performance and aesthetic characteristics
- Increased demand for solvent-free products with low or no volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
These FEVE-based coatings also reduce labor and overall costs by extending maintenance schedules, providing exceptional durability and long-lasting protection.
A Sustainable and Resilient Future
By implementing these advanced protective measures, Lyrik Back Bay not only ensures the longevity of its structures, but also contributes to Boston’s resilience against the impacts of climate change.
Photo credits: PPG, Inc.