Community centers, libraries, and water treatment facilities are built to serve the public for decades and beyond. That longevity depends heavily on the building envelope — and traditionally, architects and builders have had to weigh structural strength against thermal efficiency. GreenGirt CMH™ continuous insulation and SMARTci® building enclosure systems are engineered to deliver both for optimized performance to increase the longevity of every building envelope.
This article looks at five public works projects where GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems were specified to meet both the structural and thermal performance requirements of the building envelope, demonstrating how these innovative solutions create lasting value for communities across the country.
Strength of GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci Systems
Supporting the needs of public works and community center construction projects requires a strong, durable, and structurally sound building. GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems are engineered with steel-reinforced flanges to support walls, roofs, and windows across all building types, including the public works facilities that communities depend on for decades of continuous use. This robust design ensures that these critical community buildings can withstand the demands placed upon them while maintaining optimal energy performance.
The systems also utilize strong composite fiberglass materials that deliver documented crosswise and lengthwise strength. The modulus of elasticity of GreenGirt CMH Z-girts reaches 29,000,000 PSI in the longitudinal direction and 3,300,000 PSI in the transversal direction. These materials reach yield strength levels of 50 KSI longitudinally and 40 KSI transversely, providing exceptional structural support.
The practical advantage is straightforward: GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems match the structural performance of traditional steel Z-girts while maintaining the thermal efficiency of the building envelope — both in a single system.
San Bernardino Welcoming Resource Center
Construction of the San Bernardino Welcoming Resource Center in California, which installed the SMARTci building enclosure system on closed framing on the building’s walls.
The San Bernardino Welcoming Resource Center in California — a 65,000 square-foot facility centralizing essential district services — includes offices, meeting rooms, a clinic, and dedicated spaces for workshops, school services, and community events supporting children’s education in San Bernardino. 32,000 square feet of the SMARTci building enclosure system was installed horizontally on closed framing at 2″ deep and 16″ on center, with custom-profiled polyiso insulation and cement plaster cladding.
Ashburn Recreation & Community Center
Construction of the Ashburn Recreation & Community Center in Virginia, which installed GreenGirt Optima CMH on the building’s walls.
The Ashburn Recreation & Community Center in Virginia is a two-story facility featuring a competition pool, leisure pool, spa, full-size gymnasium, sensory room, teaching kitchen, classrooms, offices, and multipurpose gathering spaces serving residents of all ages across Loudoun County. 43,000 square feet of the GreenGirt Optima CMH™ continuous insulation system was installed vertically and horizontally on the building’s walls at 4″ deep and 16″ on center, with mineral wool insulation and a combination of single skin and Dri-Design panels for the cladding.
Van Buren Township Community Center
Construction of the Van Buren Township Community Center in Michigan, which installed the SMARTci building enclosure system on closed framing on the building’s walls.
The Van Buren Township Community Center in Michigan is a revitalized facility with a 22,000 square-foot addition featuring fitness areas, multipurpose rooms, a black box theater, and additional spaces serving the broader wellness and recreation needs of Van Buren Township residents. To stabilize the structural integrity of this new and improved facility, 14,000 square feet of the SMARTci building enclosure system was installed horizontally on closed framing on the building’s walls at 3” deep and 16” on center, with polyiso insulation and ACM cladding.
North City Pure Water Facility
Construction of the North City Pure Water Facility in San Diego, CA, which installed the GreenGirt CMH continuous insulation system on the building’s walls.
The North City Pure Water Facility in San Diego, CA, is an expansion of the North City Water Reclamation Plant, designed to increase the city’s capacity to recycle and purify water using advanced filtered water technology. To structurally support the demands of this expanded facility, 20,000 square feet of the GreenGirt CMH continuous insulation system was installed vertically at 2.5” deep and 16” on center, with mineral wool insulation and composite panel cladding.
Daybreak Library
Construction of the Daybreak Library in South Jordan, UT, which installed the SMARTci building enclosure system on closed framing on the building’s walls.
The Daybreak Library in South Jordan, UT, is an educational building featuring a Create space, outdoor amphitheater, rooftop garden, and meeting and study rooms. Its Net Zero certification reflects a design standard that required high thermal performance across the entire building envelope. To support the various needs and features of the Daybreak Library, 19,500 square feet of the SMARTci building enclosure system was installed horizontally on closed framing on the building’s walls at 3” deep and 16” on center, with polyiso insulation and metal panel cladding.
Conclusion
Across recreation centers, libraries, and water treatment facilities, GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems have demonstrated consistent performance in structural integrity and thermal efficiency. The five projects in this article reflect a broader trend: public works facilities specifying building enclosure systems that reduce operational costs without compromising long-term durability.
As public works and community center construction projects face increasing demands for energy efficiency and long-term durability, the choice of building enclosure system carries real consequences. GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems are engineered to meet both requirements — and the projects in this article show what that looks like in practice.
Get Pricing for GreenGirt CMH & SMARTci Systems
Have a public works project coming up? Get in touch with your A2P territory representative for pricing on the optimal A2P solution for your project.
Related Resources:
A2P’s High-Performance Solutions for Walls, Roofs, & Windows
View “Best Practice: Structural Integrity”
View Additional Public Works Projects Supported by GreenGirt CMH & SMARTci
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Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is GreenGirt CMH compared to steel?
GreenGirt CMH Z-girts deliver strength comparable to traditional steel Z-girts with a modulus of elasticity of 29,000,000 PSI longitudinally and 3,300,000 PSI transversely. The materials have yield strength levels of 50 KSI longitudinally and 40 KSI transversely through steel-reinforced flanges and composite fiberglass materials. This provides the structural support needed for walls, roofs, and windows without compromising thermal efficiency.
Does continuous insulation reduce wall strength?
No. GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci continuous insulation systems maintain structural strength comparable to traditional steel systems while providing superior thermal efficiency. The steel-reinforced flanges combined with composite fiberglass materials eliminate the trade-off between structural integrity and energy performance, achieving both in a single system.
Can GreenGirt be used on water treatment facilities?
Yes. GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems are suitable for all building types, including water treatment facilities, recreation centers, libraries, community centers, and more.