Contrarian Micro Textures’ InvariMatte® stainless steel finish was selected for the construction of Jamaica AirTrain JFK Terminal, a $350 million multi modal transfer point that links the new light rail system from JFK International Airport to the Long Island Rail Road, New York City Transit subway lines, and ground transportation centers.
In 2001, construction began on the terminal, located in the Jamaica section of Queens, and was completed in 2006. The AirTrain terminal enables passenger connections to the AirTrain JFK system. The spacious and functional design features glass and aluminum curtain wall, terrazzo floors, stainless steel, granite, and veneer plaster walls, and durable stainless steel roof panels.
“InvariMatte® stainless steel was a great choice for the Jamaica AirTrain Terminal because of its uniform, low glare finish combined with perfect roof panel execution on the part of Overly Manufacturing, and an excellent design,” explains Jim Halliday, of Contrarian Micro Textures. “The result is a beautiful and enduring piece of architecture.”
“I’ve worked with Contrarian for many years and have always been pleased with the performance of their stainless steel finishes,” says Jim Mersich manager of Overly Manufacturing. “Due to the surrounding hi-rise buildings and condominiums, and the fact that this is a multimodal transfer point, reflectivity was a concern. InvariMatte®’s low glare finish and uniformity were the perfect solutions.”
Overly Manufacturing’s Batten B Roof System allowed for the sweeping design of the terminal’s portal roof structure. The system features an internal drainage component which removes any moisture that migrates into the system and carefully designed joints that allow for controlled expansion and contraction in all directions. The InvariMatte® stainless steel material was also used on the extensive platform roof areas.
“InvariMatte® is a sensible choice as a cladding material in dense urban environments,” continues Halliday. “While stainless steel addresses corrosion and paint failure concerns due to smog and jet fuel residue, other stainless steel finishes are just too bright to be used in glare-sensitive locations like transportation centers. The uncoated InvariMatte® texture delivers the sustainability of stainless steel without concern for glare. The highly-engineered finish is also very uniform, which creates a beautiful installation.”
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, served as the project’s architects, a joint venture of Perini Corp. and Tutor-Saliba Corp., Peekskill, NY, served as the contractors, Overly Manufacturing, Greensburg, PA, as the system manufacturer, and Tuckahoe Metal & Roofing Co., Yonkers, NY, as the panel installer.
InvariMatte® is a non-directional, low gloss, uniformly textured stainless steel finish designed for use in architectural applications. While its lower reflectivity lends itself to roofing applications, it can be applied to wall panels, coping and trim. The superb consistency of this finish results in excellent panel-to-panel matching. Since InvariMatte® has no coatings to deteriorate, it will last indefinitely with little maintenance. InvariMatte® is readily welded or soldered and available in coils and cut lengths up to 288 inches and widths ranging from 0.75 to 49 inches. Because stainless steel is dimensionally stable up to 2000-degrees Fahrenheit, InvariMatte® provides an added measure of protection in the event of a fire. Contrarian Micro Textures offers a 30-year warranty on Grades 304, 304L, 316, and 316L.