A new grocery store in Oak Lawn, Illinois, showcases a modern design featuring materials such as stone, glass and sheet metal. 

The design directives for the Mariano’s Fresh Market included the use of sheet metal in a way that accents certain parts of the building and complements the rest of the material palette.

“The architectural style is modern with classical materials that will stand the test of time,” said Domenic Pezzuto, senior project architect at Des Plaines, Illinois-based Camburas & Theodore Ltd., which provided architectural design for the project. “This combination of materials makes a statement by using metal in modern architecture in a simple and clear way.”

The facade of the building is clad with 5,000 square feet of Pac-Clad corrugated metal wall panels. The 0.875-inch panels were finished in silver metallic. In addition, 3,000 square feet of Pac-Clad flat sheet was fabricated to create the fascia for the signature rotunda. The wall panels were manufactured at Petersen’s Elk Grove Village, Illinois, plant.

“The design flexibility and economic value of Pac-Clad metal panels contributed to the design vision in a way other materials couldn’t,” Pezzuto said. “The flexibility of design and style that can be achieved with metal panels provides a tool for architects that a lot of other building materials can’t provide.”

Installation of the panels was completed by B&B Sheet Metal Co., a sister company of WBR Roofing Co. in Wauconda, Illinois.

“The Pac-Clad corrugated is very rigid, easy to cut, easy to install and presents a great architectural look on a block wall,” said B&B Sheet Metal President Troy Wormley. “In fact, we’re currently using it on another Mariano’s location nearby.”

Roy Palesny, sales representative for Petersen, said the project had some unique situations.

“The rotunda required tapering of the shop-fabricated flush panels to meet the design specs,” he said. “That was a bit of a challenge, but they did a great job on the installation and the project turned out great.”