How Metallic’s myPortal Helped SMGC Win Client Confidence Without a Single Sample

A Metallic authorized builder turned a bold design idea into reality with their exclusive access to myPortal’s 3D Model export tool.

When Jorge Simonelli, of SMGC Construction, first met with his client about Rolling Oaks Business Park in Austin, Texas, the plan was straightforward: four large buildings constructed for retail and office-warehouse use with differentiating looks.

After the initial meeting, however, the client had a new vision for the two front buildings. They wanted an upgraded, retail-inspired look that would set them apart from the rest of the booming area. That presented SMGC with a creative challenge: rethinking the exterior without altering the building’s structural design. Simonelli’s solution was Mac Metal’s Norwood Mini wood-look panels, part of the MBCI product lineup, which added a modern touch to the facade.

Designing with Confidence

To keep the project moving forward, SMGC didn’t wait for physical product samples of the Mac Metal panels before showing the design to the client. As a Metallic authorized builder, SMGC has exclusive access to myPortal, Metallic’s advanced design and project management platform. It’s a resource that not only streamlines the building process but helps builders like Simonelli bring their clients’ visions to life before construction even begins.

Using myPortal’s 3D modeling capabilities, Simonelli pulled the building’s structural model directly from the platform and created lifelike renderings that made the design so tangible the client felt confident approving it without ever seeing the physical product.

“myPortal gives us the structure instantly,” Simonelli said. “Then we model the details such as the trims, panels and colors so our clients can see exactly what the building will look like. It helps them make design decisions with confidence. The design review process is streamlined and finalized in matter of days.”

With only digital visuals to rely on, the client took the leap of faith. “They said yes based on what they saw on screen,” Simonelli recalled. “And it paid off.”

From Render to Reality

Once construction began, the process went smoothly. The SMGC team used Metallic’s design as the foundation, installing the Mac Metal panels over existing PBU panels with minimal modifications. The installation took just one week.

“The installation was straightforward,” Simonelli said. “We didn’t have to change the structure, just the trim to fit the new panels, which Metallic modified specifically for this application. Everything was tight, efficient and the final look was amazing.”

When the client finally saw the finished buildings, the reaction confirmed that the risk had been worth it. “They told me, ‘Oh my God, they look amazing. We’re so happy,’” Simonelli said. “The real estate broker was thrilled, too. Everyone was.”

A Vision for the Future

The success of Rolling Oaks has already influenced future SMGC projects. “We’re using the wood-look panels again,” Simonelli said. “Next time, we’re even planning to mix panel profiles for a more dynamic design.”

For Simonelli, myPortal remains at the center of the creative process as a tool that bridges imagination and execution. “It’s one of the reasons our clients choose us,” he said. “They can see what their building will look like before we even break ground. It builds trust.”

And in this case, that trust built a standout project which started as a digital rendering and became a showcase of what’s possible when innovation meets collaboration.

Project Specs

Metallic/MBCI Products: Norwood Mini

Color: Cedar

Square Footage: 43,200 sq ft

Address: 15819 Farm to Market Rd 1325, Round Rock, TX 78681

Builder: SMGC Construction LLC, 13313 Western Oak Dr., San Antonio, TX 78023

Architect: Michael Mauldin, 909 NE Loop 410, Suite 636, San Antonio, Texas 78209

Steel Erector and Roofing Contractor: SMGC Construction LLC, 13313 Western Oak Dr., San Antonio, TX 78023

General Contractor: Lott Brothers Construction Company, 406 N Lee St Suite 201, Round Rock, TX 78664