Elegant expanses of metal fabric from Cambridge Architectural glamorize the exterior of a newly constructed $118 million employee parking garage at the world renowned Bellagio hotel and casino in booming Las Vegas, NV.
The towering 10 story, 5,160-space garage features a Cambridge Architectural Parkade™ mesh application that maintains the European style of Bellagio, adding a chic, upscale flare. Mimicking the famed Bellagio fountains, the gleaming metal fabric appears to ebb and flow, gracefully cascading down the structure. At night, the mesh is bathed in reflected exterior lighting, creating a brilliant, luminous effect that compliments the Bellagio signage. Facing Route 15, the striking metal fabric clad facility is impossible to miss.
“The Bellagio project is a great example of the unique and versatile capabilities of our metal fabric solutions,” says Heather Collins, director of marketing for Cambridge Architectural. “In this case, we were able to meet the project’s design constraints, resulting in a stunning addition to the Las Vegas landscape.”
“Our decision to use architectural mesh for this project was based largely on its durability and its unique ability to react with the garage’s exterior lighting at night,” explains Robert Tabak, project senior designer, HKS, Inc. “We did face certain challenges; namely with how the metal fabric would be hung. Cambridge was great to work with because of the technical assistance and other solutions they were able to provide.”
Featuring 16,000 sq. ft. of Cambridge’s Stripe metal fabric pattern in 10 ft. wide by varying lengths of 20 to 80 ft. panels, the finished 2,062,961 sq. ft. parking facility is beautiful and functional. The 54% open area of Cambridge’s Stripe metal fabric, which consists of large-scaled, flexible open weaves that shade and screen the garage, allows for daylight and fresh air to pass through the structure, reducing the need for pricey HVAC and exhaust systems.
“Working on a project of this scale was challenging due to budget, local requirements and obviously design considerations,” comments Ray Mabry, project architect/designer, HKS, Inc. “Cambridge offered a product that was a major component to the overall solution. Its versatility offers many design features that serve dual functions, with some features accentuated at night, and other benefits gained during the day.”
Construction on the massive parking structure began in March 2005 and was completed in October 2006. The newly constructed garage replaces a surface parking lot behind the now imploded Boardwalk hotel and casino where Bellagio employees had previously parked.
The Bellagio parking structure marked the beginning of construction on MGM Mirage’s Project CityCenter, currently one of the largest development efforts in the world. CityCenter is also the first project in Las Vegas, and presently the largest project anywhere, with plans to pursue Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification from the US Green Building Council. With completion slated for late 2009, the finished $7 billion, 66-acre complex located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo will function as its own urban metropolis, featuring a luxury hotel and casino, lavish condominiums, upscale retail, dining and entertainment venues, and much more.
"The Bellagio project was an important step for Cambridge in the Las Vegas market,” continues Collins. “Much of our previous work in the area has been with interiors, so it was great to work on an exterior project as part of this large development effort. We hope to leverage the relationships we have cultivated to continue in the development of the thriving Las Vegas region.”
The project team consisted of architect/project designer HKS, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA and Dallas, TX, general contractor and project engineer Perini Building Company and mesh installer Beck Steel, both from Las Vegas, NV. The building owner is MGM Mirage Design Group, Las Vegas, NV.
“The possibilities for the installation of architectural mesh are endless,” continues Tabak. “I was very pleased with the product and would certainly welcome the opportunity to use it again in the future.”
Cambridge’s Eclipse™ tension attachment hardware was used to install the Stripe product. Tailored edges are provided for expanses of flexible metal fabric in tension. Elegant, custom cut apertures receive the metal fabric ends in tubing that is integrated into a bracket and structural support design. Tube sizes may vary to emphasize or de-emphasize the attachment. The Eclipse hardware is appropriate for lengths of metal fabric held in tension up to 100 feet.
Cambridge maintains a fully-staffed engineering department to assist with installation details, framing design and load characteristics, and is also available for on-site installation supervision.