CASE STUDY
“ The goal was to introduce warmth beneath the structure without the maintenance challenges of natural wood. ”
Location
New York, New York
ARCHITECT
MA Architecture
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Omni Build
PRODUCT SYSTEM
SAGIWALL™ 6” V-Groove FR Siding
FINISH
REF 84 Monument Oak
The Warehouse at 520 West 20th Street is a contemporary industrial building that required a material solution capable of complementing its exposed steel structure while introducing warmth and architectural contrast. The design intent focused on the underside of the building, where the soffit would be highly visible and play a key role in defining the project’s visual identity.
The architectural team at MA Architecture sought a maintenance-free woodgrain alternative that could deliver the appearance of real wood while meeting durability, fire-performance, and long-term maintenance expectations in an urban environment.
SAGIPER NORTH AMERICA was engaged early in the design process to collaborate on material selection and detailing, ultimately supplying SAGIWALL™ 6” V-Groove FR Siding panels in REF 84 Monument Oak for the soffit application.
Design Collaboration & Project Timeline
SAGIPER began working with the architect in December 2018, supporting early design discussions around material performance, panel orientation, and visual consistency beneath the steel structure. Close collaboration allowed the team to address constructability, panel sizing, and installation sequencing well ahead of fabrication.
By July 2019, SAGIWALL panels were being installed on site, with material supply coordinated directly with Omni Build to align with construction schedules and installation sequencing.
PROJECT TIMELINE
01
02
03
The Challenge 1
The underside of the building was a prominent architectural feature, requiring a woodgrain finish that would remain consistent over time without staining, sealing, or refinishing.
The Solution
SAGIWALL™ FR Siding was selected for its UV-stable, realistic woodgrain finish, delivering the warmth of wood while eliminating ongoing maintenance. The REF 84 Monument Oak finish provided depth and contrast against the steel structure, reinforcing the project’s industrial aesthetic.
SAGIWALL delivered the warmth of wood without introducing long-term maintenance concerns.
The Challenge 2
Fixed panel lengths can lead to excessive waste and unnecessary seams, particularly in soffit applications where visual continuity is critical.
The Solution
SAGIPER supplied custom-length SAGIWALL™ panels tailored to the underside dimensions of the structure. This approach significantly reduced on-site waste, minimized cutting, and allowed installers to maintain clean, uninterrupted runs across the soffit plane.
Custom panel lengths helped reduce waste while keeping the underside clean and visually consistent.
The Challenge 3
The project required materials that could meet fire-performance expectations while remaining architecturally expressive.
The Solution
SAGIWALL™ FR Siding provided a fire-rated cladding solution suitable for the application, allowing the architect and GC to move forward with confidence in both performance and compliance.
SAGIWALL delivered the warmth of wood without introducing long-term maintenance concerns.
SAGIPER worked closely with Omni Build to coordinate material supply and installation sequencing. Using SAGIWALL™ 6” V-Groove FR panels simplified detailing and allowed installers to work efficiently beneath the steel structure.
Feedback from the architect, GC, and installers consistently highlighted the ease of installation, clean trim detailing, and the ability to achieve a refined architectural finish without added complexity.
The Warehouse at 520 West 20th Street demonstrates how early collaboration and thoughtful material selection can elevate utilitarian architecture. By utilizing SAGIWALL™ 6” V-Groove FR Siding in REF 84 Monument Oak, SAGIPER helped deliver a maintenance-free woodgrain solution that reinforced the project’s industrial character while meeting performance, constructability, and long-term durability requirements.
PRODUCT SYSTEM
SAGIWALL™ 6” V-Groove FR Siding
FINISH
REF 84 Monument Oak
APPLICATION
FIRE PERFORMANCE
PANEL LENGTHS
MAINTENANCE
INSTALLATION SYSTEM
