Case Study:
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A case study in how EIFS can empower architects to meet aesthetic goals, budget constraints, and sustainability targets without compromise.
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Project Overview
Baptist Health Care MOB 2 is a newly constructed medical office building that enhances the functionality and accessibility of the existing Baptist Health Care campus in Pensacola, FL. This 40,000-square-foot facility was developed as part of a strategic expansion aimed at delivering greater convenience, improved efficiency, and state-of-the-art healthcare services to the surrounding community. |
Key Project Highlights
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EIFS as a Design and Performance Solution
A major design directive for the project was to align the new structure aesthetically with the existing campus buildings, which prominently feature precast concrete with integral color. To replicate this look on a more efficient budget, the design team turned to EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) with drainage capability.
A major design directive for the project was to align the new structure aesthetically with the existing campus buildings, which prominently feature precast concrete with integral color. To replicate this look on a more efficient budget, the design team turned to EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) with drainage capability.
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Aesthetic Integration and Innovation
Achieving a seamless visual match to the surrounding architecture required innovation in finish application. Using expanded polystyrene (EPS), the team was able to incorporate intricate grooves, complex geometries, and panel definitions that would have been extremely difficult—and costly—to replicate with precast or traditional stucco. Advanced acrylic finishes and textured techniques further enhanced the visual authenticity of the cladding system.
Project Challenges and Strategic Solutions
Faced with a constrained budget and the demand for high aesthetic fidelity, the project team prioritized performance and efficiency without sacrificing design intent. EIFS provided the ideal solution, delivering:
Performance Benefits
Achieving a seamless visual match to the surrounding architecture required innovation in finish application. Using expanded polystyrene (EPS), the team was able to incorporate intricate grooves, complex geometries, and panel definitions that would have been extremely difficult—and costly—to replicate with precast or traditional stucco. Advanced acrylic finishes and textured techniques further enhanced the visual authenticity of the cladding system.
Project Challenges and Strategic Solutions
Faced with a constrained budget and the demand for high aesthetic fidelity, the project team prioritized performance and efficiency without sacrificing design intent. EIFS provided the ideal solution, delivering:
- Visual cohesion with adjacent buildings
- Cost-effective construction
- Accelerated project timelines
- Lightweight design, minimizing structural support needs
Performance Benefits
- Energy Efficiency: The continuous insulation layer provided by EIFS significantly improved the thermal performance of the building envelope compared to traditional precast concrete.
- Reduced Embodied Carbon: EIFS’s lightweight nature reduced the need for heavy framing, contributing to lower material use and embodied energy.
- Durability and Longevity: Acrylic-based finishes add a resilient, weather-resistant surface that enhances the building’s long-term performance and appearance.
