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Eastwood High School | Flynn BEC

Insulated Metal Panels Give Renovated High School a Passing Grade

By Rachel Mercado

Eastwood High School in El Paso, Texas is making waves in the construction industry by adopting smart building practices and adhering to new, stringent energy codes that maximize energy efficiency.  Through a combination of new construction and renovation, Eastwood is incorporating insulated metal panels into its plans to take advantage of the many benefits that metal offers, including efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, durability, and flexibility of design.  The metal panels blend seamlessly with new and existing conventional construction materials, including masonry, wood, brick, and glass, and it features a standard joist and metal deck structure protected by an energy efficient insulated PVC roofing system.

Eastwood High School was opened in 1961, when it quickly became one of El Paso’s top high schools specializing in academics and athletics within the West Texas region.  In 2017, Ysleta Independent School District—the geographical unit to which Eastwood belongs—moved toward renovating the school to emulate a Community College Campus that provides the community and its 2,300 students with cutting edge technology and fine arts as well as the first regional competition theatre.  The three-story academic building spanning 155,819 sq. ft. and a 2,000-seat gymnasium (anticipated to be completed in 2019) are further testaments to Eastwood’s excellence in both scholastic and athletic fields.

The construction plan for the school allows for the re-use of many of the existing structures by recycling materials where possible.  125,000 sq. ft. of existing structures will remain alongside 43,072 sq. ft. of renovations.  182,466 sq. ft. of the school will be demolished, replaced with 258,468 sq. ft. of new construction.  After all work is completed on Eastwood High in 2019, the campus will cover an impressive 426,540 sq. ft.

The exterior design is clean and modern with strong vertical and horizontal lines. Two perpendicular wings at opposite ends of the academic building complete the facility, each housing Science and Technology classrooms.


“Construction photos of Eastwood High School, 2018.” 30-in Architectural Flat IMPs are installed over the existing building façade to provide energy efficiency and aesthetics to the campus in light of changing energy codes.

Design Elements and Energy Efficiency

Additional design elements and details include the facility’s rich Southwest color palette, which imitates shades of umber, ochre, gray, and gold that mirror natural, earthy tones. The buildings’ layout creates internal courtyard spaces for shade, light, and multi-functional gathering areas, which offer security for freedom of thought and expression for students and staff alike.

To make the exterior of the facility visually striking, architects developed a design that uses 30-in. Architectural Flat insulated metal wall panels in an attractive, colorful design. The panels have a standard 1-in. vertical reveal at each panel joint and a 2-in. formed horizontal reveal between the rows of panels and provide energy efficiency to the building. The top and base rows of the panels are approximately 36-in. in height. The panels cladding the second and third floor extend the full height for each floor while windows are inset at the panel width. The panels are arranged in a repeating theme mixed with a playful splash of the Southwest-themed colors in a seemingly random pattern.

Flynn BEC

Flynn BEC, an entity of the Flynn Group of Companies, was chosen by Burford Thompson Company (BTC) to play an active role in the construction/renovation of Eastwood, including envelope scopes on the project as well as involvement in the renovation/replacement of areas of the roof, walls, and perforated aluminum security screens.  The company’s Dallas and Phoenix branches teamed up on this project to best provide the client with expertise in all roofing and architectural metal venues of the project’s building envelope. Flynn BEC has also partnered with specialty suppliers such as Robertson toward best serving their customer’s needs. On this project, Robertson and Flynn have partnered on the Insulated Metal Panels to create a unique finish to the Academic Buildings.

From the project tender in June of 2017 to the re-opening ceremonies in the fall of 2019, the collaboration between Flynn and Robertson utilizes a wide variety of products in aesthetic colors and textures for the Eastwood High School and Ysleta Independent School District project.

Flynn and Robertson Partnership

Flynn Group of Companies, a 2-year Robertson Building Systems partner, is a full-service Building Envelope Contractor that specializes in commercial construction. Founded in 1978, Flynn has 40 years of expertise in the construction industry. Their history as a leading brand has allowed them to fully embrace the innovations and complexities of architectural products for the entire building envelope.

With Robertson, Flynn has forged a leading partnership based on shared core values of safety, honesty, and integrity. Together, the companies are committed to providing clients with quality, custom-designed metal buildings and components that stand the test of time.