| When the Los Angeles Police Department | | | | architectural mesh system to enhance its aesthetic |
| Headquarters recently unveiled its new parking | | | | appeal. Because they can be easily designed to reflect |
| structure, drivers and community members were | | | | different images, the woven wire cloth elements can |
| treated to the ultimate in modernity. The new structure | | | | appear as a work of art in itself. The area in which the |
| features a unique building facade that is made with | | | | structure was built has a thriving arts community, so |
| stainless steel woven wire mesh. The facade, supplied | | | | adding an organic design of leaves produced a |
| by a premium screening specialist, was used to veil the | | | | desirable ambience with its own elegant character. |
| parking structure with a series of undulating panels. | | | | This elegance helps to attract the cultured community |
| The panels were designed to enhance the surrounding | | | | in the Los Angeles downtown area. |
| neighborhood and feature a custom colorful leaf | | | | Another benefit of architectural mesh systems is their |
| pattern. The goal of the architects at JFAK Architects | | | | acoustic qualities, though that was not a main focus in |
| was to "allow the building to breathe, provide security, | | | | the LAPD project. The acoustic benefits were one of |
| and contribute to the transformation of the area as a | | | | the main reasons the Stadttheater in Bielefeld, |
| home of the arts." With the help of the screening | | | | Germany chose an architectural mesh ceiling solution |
| specialist from the early design stages to the final | | | | when it underwent renovation. There, a sinuous ceiling |
| installation by Metallon Specialties, Inc., the new LAPD | | | | made from MULTI-BARRETTE 8123 architectural |
| Headquarters parking structure does exactly that. A | | | | mesh overhangs the plush red seats. The mesh's wide |
| significant amount of the structure is underground, so it | | | | arcs conceal floodlight bridges and acoustical sails, yet |
| is hidden from the public view. What pedestrians will | | | | the ceiling is sound and light permeable. The full volume |
| notice is the 14-foot long public Gallery on the | | | | above the mesh is available for acoustic purposes. If |
| southwest edge of the structure and the animation | | | | required, the director can even integrate the mesh |
| that is created when light and shadow interact with the | | | | ceiling into his production as a backlit sky. With varying |
| facades. | | | | illumination, the flexible mesh ceiling is a distinctive |
| The new five-story 300,000 square foot parking facility | | | | eye-catcher. At the same time, it alters the acoustical |
| will house 800 LAPD employee and Motor pool cars. | | | | conditions according to the different requirements of |
| Also included is a mechanics' garage where the LAPD | | | | spectacles and operas. |
| vehicles can go for fuel, washing and maintenance. | | | | A suitable mesh is available for every facade and |
| Architectural mesh systems like the one found in the | | | | ceiling design, not just those of parking structures and |
| LAPD parking structure offer a wide array of exciting | | | | cultural establishments. From open specifications that |
| design-oriented solutions for large concrete structural | | | | meet fire security standards to dense types, every |
| projects. Their individual aesthetic features and reliable | | | | architect will find an architectural mesh system that |
| functionality are ideal for segment, roll, or frame | | | | matches his or her requirements. By combining various |
| constructions; integrated lighting systems; acoustic | | | | weave and crimp types as well as different surface |
| systems; enclosures to conceal technical installations; | | | | characteristics, the requisite optics can be obtained |
| and fire protection. They're also suited to veil large | | | | from the chosen material. |
| structures, isolating various sections of a space from | | | | Flexibility, reflection, illumination, transparency, stability, |
| others, which is one way the parking structure took | | | | sound absorption, rollable sun shading-all of these |
| advantage of them. | | | | benefits can be had with the right architectural mesh |
| The parking structure also leveraged their new | | | | system. |