The Clariden School in Southlake, TX is a premiere private STEM School focusing on educating students from preschool to 12th grade. Arch-Fab has been a long-time partner with Steele & Freeman and worked directly with WRA Architects on this project to supply and manufacture new awnings for a refresh. 

The Clariden School remodel came about after an Arch-Fab Lunch and Learn presentation. The WRA architect and Arch-Fab AEC Representative collaborated on the awnings together and then bid the work to Steele & Freeman.

As an existing building, the Clariden School had existing steel awnings that were showing signs of rust. They were removed to make room for new aluminum awnings with standing seam material. Utilizing the new aluminum awnings ensured that no rust would form on the structures. The frames were mechanically fastened rather than welded as they had been in the steel design. It was also important to incorporate the original colors of the previous awnings and to maintain a fresh look.

In order to make sure these awnings matched the previous ones, the framing of the awnings received a primer treatment of powder coat. Afterward, their painter applied a paint grip for an adhesive surface for the paint. The standing seam was a perfect match to the originals and — adding to durability against the elements — came as a prefinished baked enamel.

With lots of communication to convey how the final look would be achieved in the field, the standing seam awnings came together and refreshed the exterior of The Clariden School.

Arch-Fab has had the pleasure of completing several projects with Steele & Freeman with the intent to do more in the future. WRA Architects is a firm focused on projects in the educational field and Arch-Fab plans to create a stronger partnership with them in the new year.