Image by studio/216, courtesy of NWCB Crews installed a SwissPearl cladding system at Swedish Issaquah that increases the life of the building’s substrate.

The Swedish/Hammes Issaquah campus consists of a medical office building, multi-wing hospital, atrium and garage on 12.5 acres.

Pacific Construction Systems subcontracted with Sellen Construction Co. for exterior work. PCS’s role included: framing support walls for brick and metal panels on the hospital; furnishing SwissPearl cladding on the atrium, garage and office; and installing the water/air barrier for the entire project over sheathing or concrete block wall.

The SwissPearl cladding system was formed with unitized panels combining three or more cement composite panels.

The system provides rainscreen cladding, reduces humidity through a rear ventilation system, optimizes the efficiency of insulation with increased air circulation, increases the life expectancy of the building substrate, improves soundproofing, accommodates building tolerances, avoids paint and sealant problems, and is maintenance-free.

PCS also panelized the roof of the main hospital, installing parapet panels on the roof instead of working up the building on scaffolding.

Judge’s comment: “The pre-fabricated light-gauge steel-framed panels were an efficient way to construct the exterior walls. Building the panels off site provided time savings and maximized the quality of workmanship.”