A sparkling faith-based private elementary school has opened its doors in Jacksonville, Fla., and is enrolling students in grades K-2 in its first year of operation. The new Arlington Community Academy focuses on academics and character development in a non-denominational, Christian environment.
 
The highly contemporary 36,000-square-foot school includes a media center, cafeteria with stage, music and art rooms, indoor play area and chapel, all of which is monitored and controlled by extensive security and access control systems.
 
Designed by Ebert Norman Brady in Jacksonville, the front elevation features a bright blue splash of color that creates an iconic, welcoming appearance. Forming the blue splash is approximately 3,000 square-feet of Petersen’s Precision Series HWP wall panels front-and-center on the building. The 24 gauge, 16-inch PAC-CLAD panels were finished in Berkshire Blue.
 
Scott Brady, principal at Ebert Norman Brady, said, “The client gave us quite a bit of latitude in the design of the building. Our intent was to be budget conscious while providing a nice aesthetic to the building. Using the Petersen panels helped provide interest on the front elevation.”
 
The metal panels interface with manufactured stone masonry on the front and stucco on the other elevations.
 
“Early in the design process, we knew we would use metal,” Brady said. “We wanted a material that would really make the front portion of the building stand out.” The firm has used PAC-CLAD profiles on several previous projects. “We typically specify Petersen,” he said. “Their local sales rep is always very helpful and I lean toward manufacturers that get involved as needed on the design side.”
 
Installation of the Precision Series HWP panels was done by Thorne Metal Systems in Orange Park, Fla. The company does a majority of its architectural metal work with Petersen, said Bill Thorne, owner. “We use the Precision Series with some regularity. There are several different profiles in the Series that offer a variety of looks. It’s a user-friendly product—simple and easy to install,” Thorne said.
 
The general contractor on the project was Auld & White Constructors in Jacksonville.