Photo courtesy of NWCB Colored EIFS cladding was used on the exterior of CrossIron Mills shopping center.

CrossIron Mills is an enclosed shopping center just north of Calgary.

The shopping center follows Mills Corp.’s premium-brand-outlet format, combining large-format anchor stores and premium-brand outlets alongside major entertainment components. In addition to the anchor tenants, there are more than 200 stores, restaurants and entertainment outlets.

The enormous size of this job brought about multiple challenges, including the constant threat of rain, high winds and bitter winter conditions. The contractor was under a critical schedule due to the number of major tenants and their requests for tenant improvements.

The final size of the mall’s wall dimensions were more than 250,000 square feet, which required more than 2,800 pails of Airsulation, 3,000 pails of Primus, 2,000 pails of finish and 5,300 bundles of foam. The contractor submitted more than 200 color samples to achieve the 50-plus colors that were used.

Judge’s comment: “The various colored EIFS/dryvit finishes and designed shapes and the outstanding workmanship (give) this shopping complex an appealing appearance. The designers have done a good job utilizing the advantages of an EIFS cladding.”