At the University of Kansas, the world’s next professional architects have the opportunity to take part in a program called Studio 804. Led by program founder Dan Rockhill, Studio 804 is a year-long, comprehensive educational opportunity for graduate students who are entering the final year of the Masters of Architecture program at the KU School of Architecture and Design.
During each academic year, students enrolled in the full-time class design and construct a building of great technical sophistication. The program has completed more than thirteen LEED Platinum projects in as many years, and the group’s 2020 build included an exterior Fundermax project resulting in one of our most exciting phenolic panel case study examples to date.
Studio 804 is a learning opportunity for architecture students approaching graduation to experience the process of a design-build, from the brainstorming phase to completed creation. The build primarily needs to teach students the skills required to be a successful architect. But, this house was more than simply a teaching opportunity; it also needed to fit into the environment and serve the local demographic in such a way that the house had a purpose and that someone could (and would want to) actually live in it.
A core part of Studio 804’s mission and purpose is sustainability, so this was a highly significant factor students considered when choosing products and materials for their project. Students spent hours researching various products and materials and presented options to their class. The student responsible for researching exterior materials discovered Fundermax exterior phenolic wall panels online. Phenolic cladding panels proceeded to make the shortlist of final options.
Fundermax’s exterior phenolic panels were chosen for three key reasons:
Students valued the impressive durability of phenolic panels as well as the wide range of applications with Fundermax panels. Fundermax phenolic cladding panels are one of the few options that can be used as a traditional rainscreen façade in a vertical wall panel system as well as a roof application.
Fundermax places a high priority on sustainability, which is evident in our products and business practices. We have specialized in processing renewable raw materials for over 100 years, and the example of Fundermax panels used in this project, Max Compact Exterior phenolic panels, would help contribute to multiple LEED standards on this project. The Fundermax commitment to sustainability aligned with Studio 804’s passion and goals.
Our Fundermax team was willing to work with the students to make sure the specs were right. In support of the sustainability push and the learning program of Studio 804, Fundermax donated the phenolic materials as well as the time invested toward the project’s success.
Situated along the Lawrence Levee Trail and along the north bank of the Kansas River, this charming residence consists of a 1500 ft2 primary house with a contiguous 500 ft2 accessory dwelling.
Using technology and a well-conceived design, the contribution in reducing energy consumption is one of the highlights of this project, which is LEED Platinum Certified.
Impressively liveable and sustainable, Dan Rockhill notes that the house will cause traffic at times because so many people want to see it.
Due to COVID restrictions, the group had to halt installation for two months, delaying production on the house. However, many dedicated students came back to help make sure the project reached completion.
The finished house blends with and complements the environment and meets the needs of the local demographic of residents. The house has been recognized by magazines and organizations all over the United States and beyond, including Dwell, Azure, Project Mother Earth, Custom Builder, and many more.
This example of Fundermax panels is an exciting application of a phenolic panel system. The building's full exterior consists of a rainscreen façade of Max Compact Exterior phenolic cladding panels. The façade is a key factor in providing interior comfort and generating energy savings.
The use of Fundermax's phenolic HPL panels as a roof material, exposed to weather and UV rays, and as an extension of the vertical wall panels, is a creative use of this durable material.
As the project architects, students recognized the valuable added benefit of Fundermax's panels being able to handle the additional exposure without limiting the product's warranty.
Not many phenolic panel manufacturers will let an architect use their panels as an exterior wall and roof - but Fundermax does.
From a visual standpoint, the woodgrain of the phenolic wall panel system allows a complementary aesthetic between the architectural design and the surrounding natural environment. The walls and roof surfaces cladded with thin strips of the wood grain phenolic panels provide the look of a cozy house in the woods.
For more extensive details on this groundbreaking project, view the full exterior phenolic panel case study here.