Custom Metal Panels Create Rhythmic Aesthetic

Part of the University of Texas at Dallas, the Callier Center for Communication Disorders provides in-depth, advanced evaluations and innovative treatments for a wide variety of speech, language and hearing disorders. Architects transformed the facility’s new addition with the help of custom, perforated Paradigm panels in multiple colors, arrayed to evoke a visual interpretation of audio waves. 

The Callier Center for Communication Disorders tailors unique, individualized treatment plans to best serve their more than 4,000 patients each year, so it’s no wonder the design team at SmithGroup JJR opted for a custom approach to the new addition’s exterior. The CENTRIA Paradigm system offers limitless polygonal rib designs and user-designed profiles in both standard configurations and customized module parameters. 

Solution

The perforated metal panels create a visual aesthetic that echoes communications and frequencies, and also serve as shading devices at entries and glazed portions of the building. The result is an elegantly composed exterior façade with a translucent layer that accumulates daylight for the building interior.

“Although the design itself looks very simple, it was actually quite complicated since each panel type needed to be broken down into several components,” explained Peter Parnham of Wade Architectural Systems, the CENTRIA dealer. “Some of the materials were perforated and others were partially perforated, and there were several different colors, with multiple lengths.”

“During the shipping process, we worked to try and make sure that the correct panels were being located in the correct areas,” Parnham added. “In the end, it was certainly worth the effort on our part and the hard work put forward by CENTRIA and Advantage Wall Panel Systems to make sure all the materials were correct for an on-time installation and completion.”

Success

From providing pre- and post-surgical evaluations for children with cochlear implants, to offering speech and language therapy for patients of all ages, the Callier Center for Communication Disorders offer quality care in a compassionate, family-centered environment.

The facility’s new addition was completed in August 2016. The building spans a total of 77,300 square feet and features more than 16,000 square feet of CENTRIA products. Communication and coordination between all trades was key to organizing the unique materials for installation and ensuring they arrived on schedule.