Metal retrofit strengthens performance at university facility

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Learn how a metal-over-metal retrofit improved durability, appearance and wind resistance for a complex campus building. 

When a roof reaches the end of its service life, building owners must weigh performance, cost and operational impact. For universities and other occupied facilities, that challenge becomes more complex, as construction cannot disrupt daily use. A retrofit at the University of Hawaii’s Biomedical Sciences building, supported by Roof Hugger, illustrates how metal-over-metal systems can address those competing priorities while delivering long-term value. 

Completed as part of a $1.1 million remodel, the project included the installation of approximately 18,000 square feet of standing seam metal roofing over the existing system. The upgrade was driven by both functional and aesthetic concerns, as the original roof had reached the end of its service life, showing signs of chalking, fading and overall wear. 

Rather disrupting ongoing school activities with a full tear-off, the retrofit utilized a sub-purlin system to support the new metal roof. This approach allowed crews to install the new roof directly over the existing structure, minimizing interference with building operations while improving overall system performance. The project brought together multiple contributors, including Roof Hugger retrofit framing systems, Custom Metal Roofing, a division of HPM Building Supply, Beachside Roofing as the installer, Designer Built Systems as general contractor and architect Richard Matsunaga. 

The building’s design introduced additional complexity. Its hipped geometry transitions from a 3:12 slope to a steep 12:12 pitch before extending into a vertical central tower. Managing these changes required precise engineering to ensure consistent structural integrity and weather performance across the entire roof system. 

Wind resistance also played a critical role in the project’s design. Although local requirements at the time called for 80 mile-per-hour wind speeds, the system was installed to meet pressures associated with 100 mile-per-hour conditions, aligning the building with anticipated code updates and strengthening long-term resilience. 

Ultimately, the project demonstrates how modern retrofit solutions can extend service life, enhance performance and adapt existing structures to evolving standards, all without interrupting the environments they are designed to protect. 

Learn more about how metal-over-metal retrofit systems improve durability, meet evolving wind standards and minimize disruption for occupied buildings!