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PROJECT
roofing
Multi-Purpose Center Slated For Sustainability Polymer slate tiles provide a sustainable roof while retaining the lodge look that LeConte Center administrators desired. The LeConte Center roof uses slate polymer roofing tiles that complement its Smoky Mountain setting. Photo credit: Merit Construction Inc.
he city-owned, multi-purpose LeConte Center in Pi-
T
The single-width tiles resemble the classic traditional slate
geon Forge, TN, includes 232,000 sq. ft. of meeting and
tiles found on upscale projects throughout the world. Available
exhibit space in a sprawling, lodge-type setting. Topping
in 12-in. widths, the 1/2-in.-thick tiles are twice the thickness
the impressive structure are 965 squares of Valoré Slate polymer
of most other synthetic slates. The tiles are available in a full
roofing tiles from DaVinci Roofscapes, Kansas City, KS. In the
spectrum of authentic slate colors and are made of pure virgin
Verde blend of light and dark green, the tiles complement the
resins to guarantee a sustainable product. The 100% recyclable
facility’s Smoky Mountain setting.
tiles resist impact, fire, hail, insects, and algae.
“The size of this complex, plus the building-code limitations,
Built over two years by Merit Construction Inc., Knoxville, TN,
made it impossible for us to specify weighty, expensive real slate for
the LeConte Center has a 100,000-sq.-ft., clear-span exhibit hall; 14
the roof,” said Michael Smelcer, principal with SRA Architects Inc.,
multi-purpose rooms of varying sizes; pre-function and kitchen space;
Pigeon Forge. “After researching our options, we selected the DaVin-
loading docks; and spacious lobbies. Outdoor patios overlook the Lit-
ci Valoré Slate product because of aesthetics, weight, and Class A fire
tle Pigeon River with views of Mount LeConte from many angles.
classification. The owners of the center were very open to using this
“Because of the close proximity to Little Pigeon River, our
particular polymer slate roofing because it gave them the mountain
site design had to be low impact,” said Smelcer. “This included
lodge look they desired.”
underground detention, rain gardens, vegetated swales, and perwww.cbpmagazine.com
APRIL 2014
COMMERCI A L BUIL DING P RODUC T S
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