Education
Central Washington University North Academic Complex
Ellensburg, WA - 2026
Key Features & Benefits
For the Central Washington University North Academic Complex, the project team needed a cladding support solution capable of accommodating the weight of adhered thin brick, and metal panels installed at specific angles to achieve a unique depth texture. The new building met all of the facade designer’s intentions while still meeting demanding wind load, dead load, and thermal performance requirements.
System
MFI System D-Series & Custom HD Brackets
Architect
NAC Architecture
Square Footage
106,000 sq ft
Contractor
Garco Construction
Challenges
- Extended cavity depths combined with a heavy adhered thin brick facade
- Angled panels would not work with standard 90-degree girt configurations
- Balancing design needs and thermal performance
- Meeting demanding wind and dead load requirements
Solutions
- Knight Wall Systems partnered with the project team to develop a custom solution specifically for this facade
- Custom-fabricated THERMAZEE® girts with a 100-degree bend, in lieu of the standard 90-degree bend, were manufactured specifically for the project
- The MFI® Systems’ HD THERMABRACKET® in various depths allowed for accurate cavity depths
- Tighter bracket spacing helped accommodate the increased dead load and wind load requirements