THE CHALLENGE – ENHANCE EXISTING ARCHITECTURE
The newly-expanded Charlotte Area Transit System required a structure that would protect waiting travelers from the elements. Accompanying the usual constraints – tight time frame and budget – was the opportunity to add architectural merit to the station and give Charlotte a new icon for its urban core.
OUR SOLUTION – A DRAMATIC STEEL AND ETFE FABRIC STRUCTURE
An elegant single-layer ETFE canopy clearly demonstrates the special qualities of the newest of the architectural membranes. While the translucent membrane provides protection from rain, the tubular structure complements the sleek architecture of the station. The total effect is both dramatic and graceful. The membrane integrates stainless steel cables for primary resistance against wind and snow loading. Not only a structural element, the cables lace seamlessly into the membrane and become part of the architectural appeal of the structure. Silver printing on the underside of the membrane improves shading, while also providing a reflective surface for enhanced night-time illumination that’s generated by an LED light system strategically positioned on the structural steel.
The five-story, 60’s era West Hills Medical Office Building in Los Angeles was due for an exterior facelift. A complete exterior renovation by Michael W. Folonis Architects revealed that water infiltration had caused structural damage to the existing horizontal plaster awnings; removing them was a costly process that consumed much of the project budget. This […]
KieranTimberlake: Printed Tensile Cladding at Rice UniversityWe are pleased to have collaborated with KieranTimberlake and the outfit of a parking structure on the Rice University Campus. In their blog post, they describe the concepts they employed to create an iconic sculptural element. For more details see the KieranTimberlake blog post.
