Centria-brand products add to new performance space

An architectural array of CENTRIA-brand products — including Versawall insulated metal panels in Pewter, EcoScreen aluminum — recently put the finishing touches on a 135,000-square-foot building at the New England Conservatory of Music in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

The New England Conservatory Student Life and Performance Center is the first building to be added to the college’s campus in 60 years. At 10 stories tall, it features more than 250 residential units, orchestra and jazz rehearsal rooms, dining commons and a black box opera workshop.

But the real beauty of the building is found on its façade. Aluminum panels act as a 40-foot tall curtain, allowing for glimpses of the structure’s performance spaces and activity.

“The New England Conservatory wanted a unique identity and more creative expression for their new campus center,” says Steve Gerrard, principal at Ann Beha Architects, which collaborated with Gensler on the project’s design. The general contractor was AECOM Tishman, and the installer was Sunrise Erectors.

“The CENTRIA EcoScreen aluminum panels help distinguish the curved form of the performance screen,” says Gerrard, creating a “shimmering veil expression” as a finishing touch.