Lear Jet Office

Approximately 6,000 sq. ft. of Citadel Architectural Products’ Envelope 2000® aluminum composite material panels were used to create a startling transformation of one of Lear Jet’s original buildings in Wichita, KS. The clear anodized panels were installed using Citadel’s progressive Reveal System.

Built in the early 1960’s, the structure originally housed manufacturing and later became Lear Jet’s main office. The oak trees beside the building were planted by founder Bill Lear and were carefully protected throughout the renovation. The updated building now functions as a delivery center and customer service facility.”

The appearance of the old building just didn’t fit the Lear Jet image,” said Rob Eggert, project architect with Law/Kingdon in Wichita. “We knew Citadel panels had been used on another job in the area and we liked the clean, modern ‘aircraft look’ they provided. The Reveal System installs easily and less expensively than other systems. We did have quite a challenge in crafting the simulated wing overhang at the front of the building however. Installation was tricky. We consulted frequently with Jim Day, the local Citadel rep, and also had lots of contact with the technical folks at Citadel headquarters. They were terrific.

The segmented panels really trimmed out nicely and gave us the look we wanted.” Installation of the Citadel panels was done by Martin Roofing Company, Wichita. According to Chris Foley, vice president, “The façade was fairly straight forward. The GC did the subframing and we installed the panels. Our only concern was how to avoid damaging the sacred Bill Lear oak trees! But the wing canopy was a challenge.

The goal was to make the canopy look as much like an aircraft wing as possible. We switched to smaller panels near the end of the wing to achieve the pointed effect. The project was definitely field engineered but everyone connected with it has a lot of pride and satisfaction in the outcome.” The general contractor on the project was Conco Construction, Inc., Wichita.