Project Profiles

ACM Panels Elegantly Wrap Apartment Complex

At the corner of Chicago Avenue and Howard Street is where you’re greeted with luxury and elegance. Evanston Gateway, just steps away from Chicago, IL, is an apartment complex that brings together boutique living and accessibility. The residences feature modern, premium finishes, while the building itself encompasses a rooftop deck offering endless views of Lake Michigan's shoreline and Chicago's iconic skyline.

The exterior showcases over 27,000 sq. ft. of Omega-Lite® ACM panels in various custom colors including— 13,560 sq. ft. of Jade Green Mica (Metallic), 4,480 sq. ft. of Natures Gift, 6,108 sq. ft. of Silver Mica (Metallic), and 1,344 sq. ft. of Light Grey. The architects from Level Architecture, LLC, Chicago, IL chose Omega-Lite panels not only because they offer a highly decorative, strong, and durable surface finish for exterior wall surfaces, but also because of the short lead times as well as no set minimum quantities for the custom colors. Omega-Lite panels are composed of a polypropylene, corrugated core between two finished aluminum sheets. They are non-absorbent, water-resistant, and easy to maintain.

Valdex, Niles, IL installed the ACM panels using Laminators’ “Legacy Version” of their 1-Piece, Tight-Fit Molding installation system. This proprietary system made the panel installation simple using durable 1-piece moldings—both “H” and “Reveal H” moldings are available providing two different design options for the panel joints. A traditional, yet high-tech appearance was obtained at an affordable cost for all involved. Overseeing the construction was the general contractor, LG Construction & Development Group (LG Group), Chicago, IL.

The legacy field-fabricated installation systems are ideal for various architectural features, as well as when building codes do not require the high performance as designed in Laminators’ back-drained and ventilated systems. Laminators' 1-Piece, Tight-Fit Molding Legacy installation system can be used over plywood (structural) or non-structural (gypsum) sheathing and it also addresses NFPA 285 (National Fire Protection Association) compliance.

Laminators’ Omega-Lite panels installed with the 1-Piece, Tight-Fit system guaranteed Evanston Gateway a class A fire rating as well as met NFPA 285, Miami-Dade County Product Control and Florida Product Approval requirements. Laminators Inc. manufactures high-quality ACM panels that meet these stringent performance levels and provide design professionals and building owners with the confidence that their cladding will withstand the most extreme conditions.