Mesh System Enhances Chicago Retailer's Image and Branding
Seeking to lend corporate branding to the design of its new downtown Chicago store, Urban Outfitters was a little more hard pressed than most retailers. That's because each of its national stores is designed to match the earthy, rustic style of its clothing and merchandise.
The choice of a Cambridge Architectural Corporate Branding mesh system as a backdrop for storefront signage helped to resolve the image problem. Woven metal fabric was wrapped around Tableau attachment hardware to create 24 panels, each about 5×10.5 feet, to support the store's sign.
"Today, mesh systems appear much more frequently on retail and other commercial buildings because of the new and unique aesthetics they provide," said Cambridge Architectural's Kevin Mayer. "This allows architects to experiment with these systems to create interesting building facades at an affordable price."
The mesh system provides a fitting architectural accent to the historical building on State Street where Urban Outfitters decided to open shop.
Cambridge Architectural
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Hurricanes Won't Take Down this Wall
The Building Team for the new American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas, wanted a distinctive look with a lot of glass. But because the site is located on the Gulf Coast, the structure had to be designed to resist the potential impact from hurricane-force winds. The team chose a modified version of the CW-250 StormMax hurricane-resistant curtain wall for the project. The arena is home to the city's minor league hockey team and can be reconfigured for various activities, including concerts. Vistawall used its hurricane-resistant 2.5×7.25-inch system for insulating glass, which was tested to meet the stringent requirements of Miami/Dade County Protocols and Southern Building Code Congress International.
Vistawall Architectural Products
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Solar Modules Keep Library Green
Seattle's Ballard Library combines some of the latest ideas in green technology with quality architecture and design, earning the project the Institute Honor Award for Architecture and recognition by the American Institute of Architects as one of the Top Ten Green Projects of 2006. A combination of 38 Schott ASI Thru building-integrated photovoltaic panels and 17 Schott ASE 300 crystalline solar modules generate clean electricity for the library. The ASE 300 solar modules are installed on the building's sod roof, and the ASI Thru panels are integrated into a curved wall of glass in the southwestern corner of the library, addressing solar gain issues by providing shade in that area of the library. The transparency of the panels also allows patrons to view the neighborhood's busy Market Street.
Schott
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Smile! Your Bank is on Candid Camera
Amy Hellmund, architect for The Christiansen Corp., Boise, Idaho, used an iBEAM system to check on the progress of the 11-story Banner Bank building from her office. The system uses a combination of a wireless camera, receiving antenna, and viewing software to allow architects, builders, and clients to monitor construction projects live on a computer screen. Unlike a Web cam mounted in a stationary position, iBEAM's portable camera and transmitter can follow an individual on the job site through the project to point out specific areas of concern.
The system automatically records images in a documented archive for future reference and provides a time-lapse video showing every phase of construction at the completion of the project.
For Hellmund, it eliminated drive times between sites. The building is slated to become one of only 10 commercial buildings to receive a LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
iBEAM Systems
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