The state-of-the-art Riverview Branch Library in Riverview, Florida, won the first-place award for the commercial roofs category in ATAS International’s 2020 project of the year competition.   

Field-Lok standing seam metal roof panels, manufactured by ATAS in Dove Grey .040 aluminum, were installed on this new library.  The panels, with a 2” seam height and 15 ¼” panel width, were mechanically seamed, followed by the installation of photovoltaic panels.  The 2” Field-Lok panel is a double-locked structural panel that can meet severe load requirements.   

Standing seam metal roofing is an ideal choice for solar systems, due to its long service life.  When installing a crystalline system (typically warranted for 25 years of power generation), a building owner benefits from a roofing substrate that has a greater life expectancy than the solar panels.  Standing seam metal panels also provide a natural platform for attaching crystalline systems without any roof penetrations, using clamps that attach to the panel seams.  Additionally, highly reflective roofs with cooler rooftop temperatures result in better performance of the solar panels. 

The 35,000 square foot Riverview Branch Library was designed in old Florida grandeur style by FleischmanGarcia Architecture of Tampa, Florida.  It includes eight meeting rooms, along with maker space and a recording studio, with two editing suites.  A covered and screened-in reading porch and outdoor garden were incorporated into the design, as well as a bookstore and vending café.  A 5,000 square foot separate children’s area allows plenty of room for kids to read and explore.  The library was designed to Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.  Some of the building’s features contributing toward LEED certification include the rooftop solar panel power system, an electric car charging station, native/drought-resistant landscaping, and patio furniture made from recycled plastic bottles. 

Ken Zuker, Senior Associate with FleischmanGarcia Architecture, stated, “The county commissioner dictated a sloped roof for this building.  Because it’s a county building with an expected life span of 50 to 60 years, a metal roof was the obvious choice.  Since 340 solar panels were going to be installed on the roof, we chose aluminum for the metal substrate due to its longevity.”   

The contractor, Alpha Roofing and Sheet Metal of Orlando, Florida, installed a total of 44,276 square feet of Field-Lok, which included some tapered panels.  Tapering panels in the factory ensures quality and dimensional accuracy, as well as easier installation in the field.  The metal roofing was purchased through Beacon Building Products of Orlando, Florida.