Case Study:
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Project Overview
Oliv Core Signature is a striking mixed-use high-rise development in the heart of State College, PA. The building integrates residential, commercial, and office functions in a vertical format that balances luxury living with smart sustainability. Central to this achievement is the extensive use of EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System), which enabled the architectural team to deliver on ambitious design, performance, and construction goals. |
Key Project Highlights
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Design Integration & Aesthetic Versatility
Designed by Antunovich Associates with OGP Architects, the structure required multiple façade styles—brick, metal paneling, and textured stucco. EIFS enabled these varied appearances through:
Designed by Antunovich Associates with OGP Architects, the structure required multiple façade styles—brick, metal paneling, and textured stucco. EIFS enabled these varied appearances through:
- Custom Brick Replication: A multi-level stack bond brick aesthetic was achieved using custom stencils and finishes, eliminating the cost and weight of traditional masonry.
- High-Finish Metal Panel Look: Deep-toned, fade-resistant coatings matched the look of architectural metal panels with superior energy performance.
- Unified Visual Cohesion: Traditional EIFS textures rounded out the design, tying together diverse materials into a cohesive urban façade.
Technical Innovation
The project team replaced traditional brick with a lightweight, custom-colored EIFS assembly. This eliminated structural reinforcements typically required for masonry while preserving the desired appearance and meeting fire and building code requirements.
EIFS was also used to:
Performance Benefits
EIFS added quantifiable performance enhancements to the building envelope:
Construction Challenges & EIFS Solutions
Faced with limited construction access and tight scheduling driven by student move-in dates, the lightweight and quick-to-install EIFS system proved vital. It allowed for efficient façade application in dense surroundings without heavy lifting equipment or extended scaffolding time.
Key Takeaways for Architects
The project team replaced traditional brick with a lightweight, custom-colored EIFS assembly. This eliminated structural reinforcements typically required for masonry while preserving the desired appearance and meeting fire and building code requirements.
EIFS was also used to:
- Simplify the execution of complex vertical detailing across nine floors.
- Create seamless thermal insulation for energy code compliance.
- Incorporate a continuous air/water-resistive barrier, reducing long-term maintenance.
Performance Benefits
EIFS added quantifiable performance enhancements to the building envelope:
- Thermal Efficiency: Continuous insulation with minimal thermal bridging improved heating/cooling performance and reduced HVAC loads.
- Moisture Management: Integrated drainage and moisture resistance helped mitigate environmental exposure risks in a mixed-use building.
- Durability: Synthetic finishes resist cracking, mold, and UV degradation—critical for long-term urban façade preservation.
Construction Challenges & EIFS Solutions
Faced with limited construction access and tight scheduling driven by student move-in dates, the lightweight and quick-to-install EIFS system proved vital. It allowed for efficient façade application in dense surroundings without heavy lifting equipment or extended scaffolding time.
Key Takeaways for Architects
- EIFS provides unmatched versatility in replicating high-cost cladding systems.
- Customization through stencils, pigments, and finishes expands design freedom.
- Lightweight construction reduces structural and labor costs.
- Continuous insulation and advanced coatings support code compliance and energy goals.
- Ideal for tight urban sites where access and scheduling are constrained.
