Largest U.S. Net Zero Community Wrapped in Metal Sales Panels

LOUISVILLE, KY…The largest planned net zero energy community in the United States features more than 40,000 total linear feet of metal wall, roof and canopy panels from Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation.

The University of California, Davis West Village community comprises 205 acres with 662 apartments, 343 single-family homes, and commercial and recreational facilities. The campus consists of three primary developments – The Ramble apartment complex, Viridian apartment homes and retail space, and The Center recreational facility.

The sustainable design of the community limits energy consumption, enables energy production and contributes to a healthy environment. The development evokes the feel of an exclusive resort, with well-manicured landscaping and multi-colored buildings. The project team wanted to use specific colors without sacrificing LEED points. The team specified Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation because of its ability to achieve this goal.

"We chose Metal Sales panels because they bring an interesting aesthetic to the exterior of the buildings," said Michael Todd, Project Superintendent with Carmel Partners, the Developer and Property Manager. "Metal Sales matched the colors we needed, which makes the buildings ‘pop’."

The Ramble apartment complex features more than 11,500 linear feet of 24 gauge, 7/8” Corrugated panels from Metal Sales in four custom colors: Green Drop, Glowing Firelight, Swedish Blue and Mustard Yellow.

Viridian is a multi-use facility that houses retail space on the first floor and three stories of apartments above. The first level is expected to house retail stores, restaurants, and university research and development offices. It features more than 18,000 linear feet of 22 gauge, 7/8” Corrugated panels coated with custom colors Gypsum and Zentury Brown. The exterior is also covered in stucco, creating a striking contrast with the panels from Metal Sales. Canopies are clad with Vertical Seam 24 gauge, 18” ‘flat’ roof panels in Champagne Metallic.

The Center houses the leasing office, fitness center, yoga room, study and meeting rooms, recreational and lap pools, volleyball court, and recreational facilities. It features more than 700 linear feet of 20 gauge, 7/8” Corrugated panels in a Galvalume® finish, and more than 11,000 linear feet of 24 gauge, Magna-Loc 180 pencil rib roof panels in Champagne Metallic.

As a net zero energy development, UC Davis West Village is designed to generate as much energy as it consumes. On sunny days, the solar panels will generate more electricity than is needed for the site and send some back to the power grid. At night, the community will pull electricity from the grid, balancing out the excess power produced throughout the day.

All of the panel colors from Metal Sales are listed with ENERGY STAR®, improving energy-efficiency and reducing the amount of energy needed for cooling. The panels also have a long life span, are 100% recyclable, and contain a high percentage of recycled material – contributing to LEED points.

Metal Sales has 21 locations throughout the United States including a full-service facility within fifteen miles of UC Davis West Village. The close proximity contributed to LEED points,exceptional customer service and support, accelerated lead times and responsive manufacturing and delivery capabilities. UC Davis West Village is a prime example of the advantages that Metal Sales delivers to its customers by having multiple locations and a national presence.

In addition to its products, Metal Sales boasts a 50-year heritage of outstanding customer service. The company’s highly trained professionals offer comprehensive, user-friendly product information and work with project managers, estimators, installers and engineers until each product application is successfully completed. Due to their efforts to maintain this level of customer service, Metal Sales has developed long-lasting partnerships with their customers.

"Once again, Metal Sales provided us with incredible service," said Josh Nartker, Estimator at Kodiak Roofing who served as the metal installer. "They always take care of our needs more so than others. For this project, they went above and beyond meeting our color needs, met all deadlines, had the product onsite quickly and provided technical support when needed."

The UC Davis West Village project will be completed in 2013. The architects of the project include Studio E Architects, San Diego, CA, MVE Institutional, Santa Ana, CA, and Lim Chang Rohling & Associates, Pasadena, CA. Additional project team members include metal panel installer, Kodiak Roofing & Waterproofing Co., Lincoln, CA, developer and property manager, Carmel Partners, San Francisco, CA, general contractor GP Construction West, Inc., Denver CO, and owner West Village Community Partnership, LLC, San Francisco.