Shaping History and Art: The Thomas Gilcrease Institute Project

The Thomas Gilcrease Institute project, led by SmithGroup, represents a convergence of history, art, and architecture on an unprecedented scale. Set to become a cornerstone of cultural enrichment and education, this institute promises to redefine the landscape of American history and art appreciation.

For this unique design, an exterior rainscreen facade was the most energy-efficient approach for the exterior envelope. The wall cladding materials and subframing system not only needed to meet aesthetic demands but also uphold sustainable principles and offer excellent performance in practice. This is where ECO Cladding stepped in with our foundational Vci Cladding System for ACM / metal panels. By providing our C.I. Subframing layer for the cladding attachment, our cladding solution effectively complements the institute's commitment to environmental stewardship.

Our Alpha Vci Cladding System serves as a vertical C.I. subframing system, designed to address fire safety, engineering, and thermal performance considerations. This system establishes a platform for attaching cladding ACM panels based on their layout. Our wall brackets play a vital role as the engineered building block for the vertical C.I. subframing. They are engineered to integrate as intermittent attachment points to the substrate, receiving the vertical aluminum profile rails to effectively form the essential "C.I. Sub-framing" layer. Our wall brackets are offered in Alpha (aluminum) and Sigma (stainless steel) versions, both of which meet the non-combustible criteria as defined in the IBC regulations.

Beyond its sustainability credentials, the ECO Cladding Vci System seamlessly integrates into the architectural vision of the exterior facade of the Thomas Gilcrease Institute. We're honored to be part of a collaborative effort that brings together industry leaders, architects, and visionaries to transform concepts into reality.

As construction progresses, we are excited to witness the culmination of this transformative project!

Project renderings courtesy of the design team at SmithGroup. For more information, visit SmithGroup.