The Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles was established along with the prominent movie studios during the early 20th century. During the construction of one of its newest high-end apartment complexes, the question arose of how to incorporate the city’s culture into its architecture. The 150,000-square-foot Grand Vista apartment complex caters largely to members of the movie industry-Mukwonago, Wis.-based Banker Wire was approached to complete an outdoor projector screen feature in hopes of emphasizing the connection between Studio City and members of the industry.
While the creation would provide a canvas for a variety of multimedia entertainment, it also had to serve as an elegant waterfall. As the worldwide leader in the manufacture of woven wire mesh, Banker Wire strove to meet the demands of what the project-and its viewers-asked for.
Wire Mesh Provides Form and Function
In the end, designer and fabricator ARTBOX construction Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., successfully created the waterfall feature on which residents of 125 luxury units can play videos or slideshows while enjoying their outdoor surroundings. At other times, the waterfall simply provides a relaxing enclave in the midst of a busy neighborhood. ARTBOX construction relied on Banker Wire to provide durable mesh to keep the piece both functional and beautiful.
Banker Wire woven wire mesh’s light pollution reduction capabilities worked with the free-falling water scheme to become the basis on which the solution was formed. While Banker Wire mesh is often used as a shading device for large structures to conceal their inside occupants from sunlight, it became obvious that the same concept could be used to encapsulate the water and confine a similar amount of light from the projector. The water would provide solidity on which the mesh could rest, creating just the right amount of density and translucency to still showcase the cascading waterfall during the daytime.
The M13Z-247 mesh used for the installation is composed of long, straight sections of wire that allow water to flow against the metal beautifully. Short sections of wire interrupt this flow, causing ripples in the waterfall. Translucent when not in use as a projection screen, the mesh and water filter natural light, and together, create the sound of rain that brings a sense of tranquility to the space.
The waterfall screen was designed to be eco-friendly-using low-voltage electricity, high-efficiency equipment and recycled water. Banker Wire contributed to the eco-friendly design by using mesh composed of 80 to 85 percent post-consumer and 12 to 18 percent pre-consumer recycled steel.
Performance
A delicate curtain of water falls over the woven wire mesh during the day and transforms into a dense platform for movies and images at night. The final result is nothing less than amazing. Banker Wire prides itself on creating cutting-edge products and challenging the status quo-and the Studio City screen did not disappoint. By perfectly blending function, form, beauty and style, Banker Wire created a perfect harmony.
The quality and consistency of Banker Wire products allows the mesh to withstand the flowing water of the media wall. While design was critical, the durability of Banker Wire woven wire mesh was equally as important to the longevity and survival of the Studio City piece.
“Banker Wire’s quality of products and attention to detail helped ARTBOX construction achieve a beautiful and functional installation,” says Babak Emanuel, principal at ARTBOX construction. “When it comes to architectural woven wire mesh, we’ll use Banker Wire again.”
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Harrison Horan is vice president of sales and marketing at Banker Wire, Mukwonago, Wis. For more information, visit www.bankerwire.com.