The landscape was enhanced for students of Georgia State University when their downtown Atlanta campus added a 10-story, state-of-the-art science center, complete with laboratories, classrooms, and office space for the university’s College of Arts and Sciences.
The tall glass building not only polishes the aged urban sprawl of the campus, but improves the ever-expanding curriculum for students studying biology, chemistry, nutrition, and physical and respiratory therapies. The Parker H. Petit Science Center, named for Georgia State alumnus and local philanthropist, is also home to one of the few university-based bio-safety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory suites in the country, which utilizes innovative coating systems from Tnemec to cover 20,000 sq. ft. of wall space.
“The specifiers needed a hard, seamless finish in the BSL-4 lab that could be frequently cleaned with products like Vesphene and Spor-Klenz,” recalled Tnemec coating consultant Pat Murphy. “Tnemec offers several systems for this kind of environment, and we wanted to help them find the most durable protection against chemical and physical abuse.”
The applicators, Goodman Decorating of Atlanta, Georgia, applied a customized coatings system to the drywall ceilings and walls in this area. A waterborne prime coat of Series 151-1051 Elasto-Grip FC was applied to the substrate to help seal and level the surface. Two coats of Series 297 Enviro-Glaze, ceramic-modified waterborne polyurethane, were then applied. Series 297 provides enhanced abrasion- and stain-resistance and color stability for laboratory environments.
All cage wash areas in the facility utilized a Spec-Finish Level IV coatings system. A prime coat of Series 215 Surfacing Epoxy was used to patch voids and bugholes in the substrate before a polyamine epoxy base coat of Series 273 Stranlok ML was applied. Fiberglass mat was then laid onto the wall and a saturant coat of Series 273 applied. For added abrasion- and chemical-resistance, a topcoat of Series 280 Tneme-Glaze was applied, a glaze-like modified epoxy that is also resistant to frequent hot water and detergent cleaning. The walls were finished with Series 297 for color stability.
BSL-3 laboratories, hallways, and common areas in the facility received a high-performance Spec-Finish Level I system. A prime coat of Series 130 Envirofill was applied to CMU, followed by an intermediate coat of Series 280 and a topcoat of Series 297.
The exterior steel canopy utilized a high-solids fluoropolymer coating as a finish coat. The steel was shop-primed with Series 90-97 Tneme-Zinc and subsequently shipped to the jobsite. After a field-applied intermediate coat of Series 135 Chembuild, the steel was topcoated with Series 1071 Fluoronar for excellent long-term color and gloss retention.
“Goodman is experienced with Tnemec products and did an excellent job applying the systems,” stated Murphy. “The facility was the first Spec-Finish Level I and Level IV project completed in Georgia.”
The soaring structure serves as a landmark and anchor for the east side “science zone” of the campus. It stands as the first of many planned developments in the area. Approx. 2,000 students visit the center every day.