Updated Balconies Revitalize Apartment Building
by Jonathan McGaha | July 31, 2008 12:00 am
For the revitalization of an aging 1970s apartment building in Schaumburg, Ill., Castlebar Enterprises Inc. wanted to create a face that would take the building well into the new century and, at the same time, compel potential buyers to explore the beauty inside. Completed this year, the residential building’s makeover resulted in a stunningly sophisticated 10-story dwelling of 327 condominium homes with a new name-The Residences of XXI.
A key element to the building’s transformation was the exterior balconies. Originally created with painted plywood panels attached to aluminum railings for safety, the dated outer shell and barrier from the inside obscured the sunlight from the apartment interiors. Working with the owner-Kristin Development LLC-Accurate Perforating Co. Inc., Chicago, and McNichols Co., Tampa, Fla., worked to creatively update the balconies with minimal disruption and stay within budget by merging function, aesthetics and cost efficiencies. The goal was to achieve an open look that meets code and is just as appealing from the outside/in as from the inside/out.
Custom panels of perforated metal were created with a 3/16-inch (5-mm) round hole on 1/2-inch (13-mm) staggered pattern with large solid borders. This was combined with a thinner 0.125-inch- (3-mm- ) thick 5005 aluminum to meet the project budget without sacrificing safety or beauty. A clear anodized finish was used to retard the rusting, peeling or fading that can occur with exterior metal product applications.
The apartment to condo conversion and rebranding now features sunlight passing through the small openings of the balcony panels to showcase hardwood floors, contemporary kitchens and other upscale amenities. While allowing light in, the size of the hole patterns on the metal balcony panels provides ample privacy, as the perforated aluminum appears almost solid from street level.
Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/projects/updated-balconies-revitalize-apartment-building/