Fiber Cement

Fiber Cement Panels
Preferred Partners: 

Material Overview:

Architects, installers and owners now have the premier fiber cement panel from Swisspearl®, combined with a fully engineered rainscreen system of ECO Cladding.  As a perferred partner, Swisspearl's ® quality fiber cement panels set the industry standard in unique, natural and timeless beauty.  ECO Cladding engineered systems give architects and installers the needed resources to design intelligent rainscreen walls that address deep cavity systems, continuous insulation and other code and industry standards.  ECO Cladding systems are also designed to give architects aesthetic freedom to incorporate concealed, lap-siding or visible attachments.

Design Considerations:

Fiber Cement is produced in sheets and fabricated into finished panels.  The designer has the ability to create varying degrees of patterns and panel shapes on the building - often using numerous colors to create intrigue and acheive a particular design aesthetic.  Most fiber cement panels are consistent in color range from panel to panel.  Air cured fiber cement is preferred for rainscreen applications and auto-claved panels are not recommedended for rainscreen wall conditions.  Off–fall of material is a key fabrication consideration, so as to maximize the panel’s yield.  Swisspearl® is the leading fiber cement manufacturer for architectural grade panels and offers a variety of large sheet sizes and a full range of medium and shingle panels.  Both concealed and exposed, color-matched rivet systems are available.

James L McGuire Elementary School - North Providence, RI

SLAM Collaborative - CT has designed another eye-catching rainscreen design with the new James L. McGuire Elementary School. Continuing their history of using Swisspearl fiber cement panels, SLAM was the first project in the USA to incorporate the new Swisspearl Reflex Dark Silver metallic color. One of the strengths of the Reflex Dark Silver metallic color from Swisspearl is the ability to be fabricated into unique shapes, and what better location for a fun, creative design than an elementary school.

The design team utilized an Alpha Hci.10 face-fastened subframing system with two different bracket lengths to accommodate the innovative design and variations in cavity depth. With this project, all involved parties rose to the challenge of this innovative design, with SLAM leading the charge with developing these eye-catching details.

Northeastern University South Campus Pedestrian Bridge - Boston, MA

Designed by Payette, the Northeastern University Pedestrian Bridge intends to connect the main campus with the expanding Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex. One of Payette’s design requirements was to incorporate facade materials that would require minimal maintenance. Instead of employing the conventional ‘curl-over’ guard rail fencing typical on bridges that cross railways, the new bridge’s steel panels angle outward and grow in height to attain the necessary protection over the catenary wires.
The bridge’s Swisspearl fiber cement panels are set to be installed using our Alpha Vci.40 concealed aluminum subframing system.

For a project feature by the architect click here.

SUNY Purchase College Center for Media Film & Theater - Purchase, NY

FXFOWLE Architects, designed SUNY Purchase’s new 75,000 SF Center for Integrated Technology & Learning as a combined center for the School of Theater Arts, the School of Film & Media Studies, and other related arts programs. The new facility will add an entry pavilion and gathering space for students. The screen wall design feature incorporated two layers for walls, using Swisspearl fiber cement panels as accent panels in greyscale. The exterior layer has a perforated metal screen. The fiber cement panels were fastened using our Hci.11 Visible Rivet System.

Staff Sergeant James Hill Elementary School - Revere, MA

Drummey Rosane Anderson (DRA) designed the new Staff Sergeant James Hill Elementary School with transparency and materiality to connect it with its surroundings and establish a benchmark for downtown Revere urban renewal. The design features large glass expanses that serve to have interior areas experienced at the exterior streetscape as well as to connect interior spaces to favorable exterior views. The building has accent areas of glass detailed with Swisspearl fiber cement cladding which are used both to organize the elevation and to express special program areas on the interior of the building. A Hci.10 subframing was incorporated into the facade. 

For a project feature by the architect click here.

 

Waterfront Square - Revere, MA

Arrowstreet designed a 230-unit, 220,000-square-foot residential building as a part of the revitalization of Revere’s Waterfront Square. The project includes a community/coworking space, courtyard, pool, and a 315-space parking garage. The building is a 5-story wood high-rise over 2 stories of podium parking. Swisspearl Largo fiber cement rainscreen panels work in tandem with HPL wood grain panels. The main colors used in the bold facade were Platinum 9020, REFLEX Dark Silver 9221 and Satin White 9291.A VZ.10 and Vci.40 subframing system was utilized. Located across from Revere Beach, the design creates an upscale residential feel in both amenity spaces and the units.

For a project feature by the architect click here.

 

University of Arkansas Garage – Fayetteville, AR

The University of Arkansas Garage is an outstanding award-winning project and has inspired numerous other university-based projects across the country. Designed by Des Moines-based HLKB Architecure, installation incorporated a Terra5 Terracotta Rainscreen, a fiber cement rainscreen, and a unique Terra5 Baguette Sunscreen, all supplied by Cladding Corp. Vci.45 and Vci.11 subframing systems formed the basis for all of the rainscreen attachments, including a custom-tailored sunscreen assembly solution, engineered by ECO Cladding.

Houston Elementary School - Washington, DC

Cox Graae Spack Architects and DC District Schools selected Swisspearl's fiber cement panels for the restoration of Houston Elementary School in Gilbert, AZ.  Four colors, vertical layout, random widths were no problem for Swisspearl's easily fabricated panels. Creative abounds and the playfulness of this school yard is contemporary, crisp, and timeless. An adjustable VZ.10 aluminum subframing allowed the installers to deliver perfect symmetry.

Ingleside at King Farm - Rockville, MD

Perkins Eastman has designed Gardenside, a 153-unit expansion at Ingleside at King Farm, a continuing care retirement community in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Rockville.  Two different Swisspearl products where incorporated into the multi-building campus.  Large format shingles in three colors were used to off-set the brick facade for the memory care facility.  The fish scale pattern has won attention from the Washington, DC design community.  The three colors of large format fiber cement panels create a warm palette for the modern senior housing towers. VZ.10 and Hci.10 subframing sytems were utilized.

Maury Elementary School - Washington, DC

The newly-renovated Maury Elementary School is open. DLR Group’s design offers 21st century educational spaces to enhance learning and, has a beautiful Swisspearl fiber cement rainscreen facade.  Black and white fiber cement panels allow this building to be timeless. Located in Washington D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, Maury Elementary School was originally constructed in 1886. DLR Group’s design complements the surrounding historical residential architecture style while also offering a modernized, state-of-the-art learning environment. A glass-edged discovery commons seamlessly connects historic and new components of the school, celebrating the original iconic historic cornerstone building and amplifying transparency and indoor-outdoor connections. A VZ.10 subframing addressed the community's desire for an environmentally focused, thermally broken attachment system. 

For a project feature by the architect click here.

 

 

Sandy Springs Friends School - Sandy Spring, MD

Sandy Springs Friends School hired Stantec - Arlington to design their new upper school. The team selected Swisspearl to create a stunning vertical application that is both subtle and confident. Students and teachers will be greeted to a contemporary design that complements the school's campus. This environmentally friendly building, incorporated an Alpha Hci.10 subframing system and has multiple shades of white and grey fiber cement panels. The design called for perfect flatness and yhr installer too advantage of an ECO Cladding adjustable system.

For a project feature by the architect click here.

Available Systems

Alpha Vci.10 System

Alpha Vci.10 System

Panel Subframing system that offers visible rivet fixing for fiber cement, HPL or fiber concrete panels. Rivet attachment guarantees high pull-out values and ease of installation.

Alpha Vci.40 System

Alpha Vci.40 System

Panel Subframing system that offers fixing using concealed, undercut anchors for cement composite, ceramic, stone, HPL and fiber concrete panels. The back of each panel is pre-drilled using undercut drill bit to receive the hanger clip and expanding bolt anchor.

Alpha Hci.10 System

Alpha Hci.10 System

Panel Subframing system that offers visible rivet fixing for fiber cement, HPL or fiber concrete panels. Rivet attachment guarantees high pull-out values and ease of installation.

Alpha Hci.11 System

Alpha Hci.11 System

Panel Subframing system that offers visible rivet fixing for fiber cement, HPL or fiber concrete panels. Rivet attachment guarantees high pull-out values and ease of installation.

Alpha Eci.11 Rainscreen System

Alpha Eci.11 System

Panel Subframing system that offers visible rivet fixing for fiber cement, HPL, or fiber concrete panels using our Alpha E edge-to-edge wall bracket. Large spans can be achieved due to a solid supporting beam recess. Rivet attachment guarantees high pull-out values and ease of installation.

Alpha Eci.40 System

Alpha Eci.40 System

Panel Subframing system that offers panel attachment using concealed, undercut anchors for cement composite, ceramic, stone, HPL, and fiber concrete panels using our Alpha E edge-to-edge wall bracket. Large spans can be achieved due to a solid supporting beam recess.

Recent Projects

The University of Arkansas Garage is an outstanding award-winning project and has inspired ...Read More
Cox Graae Spack Architects and DC District Schools selected Swisspearl's fiber cement panels for ...Read More
Perkins Eastman has designed Gardenside, a 153-unit expansion at Ingleside at King Farm, a ...Read More
The newly-renovated Maury Elementary School is open. DLR Group’s design offers 21st century ...Read More
Sandy Springs Friends School hired Stantec - Arlington to design their new upper school. The team ...Read More
Gensler-DC design team has created a new skyline anchor to downtown Wheaton, MD. Using Swisspearl's ...Read More
Afton Scientific commissioned FPW Architects to provide architectural and engineering services to ...Read More
The SoNo Collection incorporated Swisspearl fiber cement panels and an Hci.10 engineered ...Read More
Grid Architects of Annapolis, Maryland have created another gem in the heart of Maryland's state ...Read More
Reader & Swartz designed the new Loudoun School for Advanced Studies, an independent school set ...Read More
HOK Architects - Philadelphia, selected a concealed Swisspearl fiber cement panel for a stunning ...Read More
Edelman Sultan Knox Wood Architects designed the vibrant and attractive facade of 233 Landing Road ...Read More
For this private residence, the design team at Roger Ferris + Partners incorporated Swisspearl ...Read More
The design team at Baltimore-based Ayers Saint Gross designed the new Admission and Student ...Read More
Children’s Aid College Prep Charter School (CACPCS) provides students with rigorous core ...Read More