The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC in Pennsylvania is a new facility encompassing 1.4 million square-feet. The project, which includes four facilities, a hospital and a research center, was designed by Pittsburgh architects Astorino, now Cannon Design. With the help of PPG’s glass and architectural coatings systems, the project received LEED certification.
The architects took advantage of the close proximity of PPG in Pittsburgh and utilized several of their locally sourced materials, which attributed to the green nature of the project. Other sustainable attributes include the project’s state-of-the-art air filtration system and a “Healing Garden” on the hospital’s roof.
As with many children’s hospitals, a main component of the building’s design was it’s brightly colored exterior. In an article featured in Design Build With Metal, PPG explains, “From an architectural standpoint, one defining element of the Children’s Hospital is its brightly colored exterior, using vivid Coraflon® coating colors such as yellow, green and various shades of blue. These colors are designed to exude a sense of cheerfulness, vibrancy and warmth, not just for people in the hospital but also to the busy city neighborhood that surrounds it.”
PPG’s Coraflon fluoropolymer coating system features Lumiflon FEVE-resin technology that directly contributes to the vibrancy of the coating. The storefronts, exterior covers and portions of the curtain wall utilize both Coraflon and Duranar coatings systems, which PPG explains as having “…low maintenance requirements and exceptional color retention.” Additionally, the use of Lumiflon FEVE-resins ensure the longevity of the coating, by providing unparalleled UV protection and long life-cycle costs.
The longevity of coatings systems is essential in healthcare design to prevent the need to reapply the system in the future. PPG is a pioneer in paint manufacturing, constantly creating more sustainable options for both interior and exterior coatings systems.
PPG Industries; Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading coatings and specialty products and services company, serving customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. PPG has manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 60 countries around the globe.
information courtesy of Design Build With Metal
photography courtesy of DM Products Incorporated