A staircase with Mukwonago, Wis.-based Banker Wire railing infill was selected to mark a transition between two levels at a Chicago Starbucks, completed in fall 2012. The weave’s twin wire flat top style adds visual and textural interest to the staircase, which connects the first level in the 4,400-square-foot coffee shop and casual seating for to-go customers with the level upstairs where additional products are for sale including appetizers, desserts, beer and wine.
Banker Wire wove 308 square feet of its M22-22 wire mesh and sent it out for an antique brass plated finish, which gave the mesh a metallic, reflective look. The antique brass plated finish complements the worn exteriors of the other materials in the store including reclaimed Chicago brick and greenheart planks salvaged from boxcars.
Banker Wire mesh is composed of 80 to 85 percent post-consumer and 13 to 18 percent preconsumer recycled steel. The mesh used in the Starbucks project was produced by a low-energy, cold-forming process in a plant within a 500-mile radius of the project location that is illuminated with natural daylight and energy-efficient lighting. This contributed to the store’s Regional Materials credit for LEED certifications.
Harrison Horan, vice president of marketing at Banker Wire, says they look forward to working with Starbucks Corp., Seattle, on more stores. “Like Starbucks, we value sustainability-but also unique designs and high-quality products-so we enjoy the partnership,” he says.
Mancini Duffy, New York City, was the project architect, and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, Chicago, was the architect of record. Ryan Construction, Chicago, was the general contractor; Mcguire Engineers Inc., Chicago, was the engineering firm; and Focus Lighting Inc., New York City, provided lighting.
Banker Wire, www.bankerwire.com
