Metal buildings: Their versatility and durability suit them for public sector infrastructure

Written by Michael Keating

Some cities and counties are looking at one structure type to help them meet their infrastructure needs, says Phil Skellorn, associate principal at Buro Happold, an engineering and consulting services firm. “Some public owners are looking at metal buildings as an economical option.”

Skellorn says metal buildings can offer advantages if the off-the-shelf product meet’s the owner’s needs. He cautions, however: “If customization is required, for example a certain façade type or an unusual geometry, the cost of metal buildings tends to become less competitive when compared to traditional construction.”

Yes, metal buildings provide several benefits. They can be quickly constructed to meet urgent infrastructure needs, Skellorn tells Co-op Solutions. “Metal buildings leverage industrialized construction, using repeatable components that come together in a predictable way. These structures are designed very efficiently, which has sustainability advantages from a materials perspective. The industrialized process also tends to minimize waste because the elements are repeatable and predicable.” He adds that metal structures can be a good solution, particularly when customization is not required.

Metal building systems offer highly functional and cost-effective layouts that accommodate sizable interior spaces and high ceilings. That is why so many local governments invest in metal building systems for their infrastructure. Some examples of metal structures in use in cities and counties include fire stations and recycling facilities.

For more than 60 years the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and its manufacturing members have collaborated as partners to further its mission: to conduct research, to help advance building codes and standards, and to educate the construction industry. The MBMA spotlights the following as potential municipal facilities applications:
• Airplane hangars
• Arenas
• Civic centers
• Educational buildings
• Equipment storage
• Fire stations
• Maintenance facilities
• Office buildings
• Public works complexes
• Recreation centers
• Recycling plants
• Research facilities
• Stadiums

Here are some examples of government structures where metal is employed.

Skellorn says there are many ways local governments and educational institutions can employ metal building systems to meet infrastructure needs. “One example I’ve seen is a metal building used for a campus recycling center. The metal building provided a large, open space for the recycling operations. Metal buildings are a good option for facilities that benefit from open, column-free spaces.”

He notes, however, that architectural design opportunities can be limited with metal structures. “I tend to see these structures in industrial or back-of-house environments. However, there are opportunities to incorporate design into these buildings.”

According to the MBMA, several attributes play into the equations that influence metal building choices. These include:

Modular building case study
The navigation center for the unhoused in San Mateo County, Calif. features modular building systems throughout. At the 240-bed facility, residents receive intensive counseling and other support services. The completed facility includes private sleeping units, shared toilet/showers, dining services and support modules, as well as outdoor areas for activities. County officials cut a ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the opening of the Navigation Center on April 18, 2023.

The facility is located on a 2.5-acre, undeveloped site located at 1469 Maple Street in Redwood City, Calif. As part of the project, 10 acres along the nearby waterfront will be converted into future park space, waterfront recreation and open space.

The compact campus employs modular structures to create individual sleeping units, most with private bathrooms. Shared services and community spaces enable the residents to connect with other residents. According to a county statement, the facility differs from other facilities this way: “Instead of the congregate dorm-style shelters found in many U.S. cities, this approach gives each resident a private, lockable, conditioned sleeping space in the facility.” The average time spent at the center for each resident is between three to six months.

The architect for the project, Charles F. Bloszies FAIA, has led the design of numerous navigation centers and supportive interim housing facilities in San Francisco, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and San Jose, Calif. He describes the concept and design of the center as “novel, but not experimental. [The design] stems from listening to unhoused people themselves and to the social service providers who have devoted their careers to taking on one of society’s most intractable problems: homelessness.” He calls his design solution for similar projects Step (1) Housing. The shelter is thought to be the nation’s first multi-story prefabricated shelter and has served as a blueprint for shelter designs elsewhere.

Funding for the facility comes from the second round of California’s Homekey program. About $55.3 million of Homekey 2.0 funding is invested in the modular navigation center for development and operation, according to Bloszies. He designed the facility, working in collaboration with XL Construction.

San Mateo County’s goal is to achieve functional zero homelessness, meaning that anyone who desires shelter can access it through an array of county facilities and programs.

OMNIA Partners offers a robust portfolio of cooperative contracts in the public procurement space. OMNIA Partners Public Sector lists several cooperative contracts that feature Modular Buildings and other building systems.

For more information on metal building applications in local government, go to this recent Co-op Solutions post.

Michael Keating is senior editor for American City & County. Contact him at [email protected].