Grand Valley State University Parking Garage

Accurate Perforating was selected to supply fabricated metal panels for a 1,260-spot, 6-floor parking garage, and ramp for the new GVSU Health Sciences Facility in downtown Grand Rapids.

Accurate was called on to fabricate a total of 584 custom perforated panels. When the designers Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber were planning the project, they contemplated and investigated various materials to use, but ultimately they chose perforated panels for aesthetics and functional performance purposes. The fabricated panels were made to achieve proper airflow through the ramp without the need for expensive mechanical ventilation.

Access to the work site was a challenge, which made the timely receipt of material critical. The work site was flanked by a major highway, adjacent buildings, and a large electrical substation. Complicating matters further, the worksite was built lot line-to-lot line, which presented difficulties in erecting the Accurate panel system.

Despite the logistical constraints, Accurate successfully completed the assignment. Bruce Schaffer evaluated Accurate’s performance as follows:

“Accurate Perforating supplied 584 pieces of custom fabricated perforated panels with matching non-perforated closure panels all finish-painted. All of the material was delivered prior to the start of installation without a single missed fabricated or damaged piece. Outstanding job.”

The GVSU project highlights many of the factors that determine successful metal fabrication: aesthetic design, functional design, quality control, ability to meet deadlines, and logistical expertise. All of these skills were needed to bring the University’s parking garage and ramp to successful completion.