Pre-Engineered Steel Expansion Building in Fort Lupton, Colorado

Fabricated and supplied by Sunward Steel in September 2007, this pre-engineered metal building is an addition to the Historic Fort Lupton Replica Fur Trading Post. The notable trade fort was initially known as Fort Lancaster and served as a key stop for travelers making their way west and over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. 

A far cry from traditional steel construction, this new commercial building boasts the same look and feel as the original fort while offering the modern conveniences of metal building systems. Boasting more than 2,400 square feet of column-free interior space, the building houses artifacts and replicas of items trappers, settlers, traders and Native tribes relied on at the time, giving visitors a glimpse into the fur trade of the region and the travel routes associated with it. 

Engineered to handle heavy snow loads and stand on an existing slab, the new addition to the fort has a clear-span design and a single-slope roof with a parapet that can easily conceal items on the rooftop. Gutters and downspouts are also included, helping prevent rain or snow from collecting on the roof and compromising the structure’s integrity. 

A wall light band of translucent light panels lets in natural sunlight while keeping the building fully enclosed, and a 4-psf collateral load in the roof can support light fixtures, sprinkler systems, signage or utility components. The metal fort addition also has two wooden double doors reminiscent of the original fort’s entryway that tie the structure’s modern look to its historic roots. 

Equal parts functional, low-maintenance and eye-catching, this pre-engineered metal addition to the historic fort stands strong in the face of heavy use and foot traffic while preserving the beauty and spirit of the original historic building.