A woven metal fabric system from Cambridge Architectural of Cambridge, MD, elegantly envelops the exterior of a newly constructed parking facility at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
“Like any project that appears to be pretty straightforward, there were plenty of challenges involved,” recalled Greg Biancardi, architect, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. “We knew we wanted to use architectural mesh as an exterior cladding material, but the building codes required a certain amount of open area for ventilation purposes. Specifying a mesh that would provide enough screening without blocking the necessary airflow was a challenge.”
A Facade mesh system from Cambridge Architectural offered the perfect solution to this challenge. The mesh system, comprised of metal fabric in Cambridge’s Scale pattern and attached in tension with custom Eclipse attachment hardware, adorns the four level, 1,559-space parkade. The 62% open area of the selected metal fabric pattern ensures excellent ventilation while additionally providing security, safety and visibility throughout the parking structure. The Facade mesh system was also deemed an ideal choice for the harsh wintry climate of Manitoba, as stainless steel mesh is capable of withstanding even the most extreme temperatures.
“Our Facade metal fabric systems continue to provide innovative, functional and cost effective cladding solutions that meet the challenges commonly associated with parking structures,” said Heather Collins, director of marketing for Cambridge Architectural.
“We were required to specify three different manufacturers for the Winnipeg Parkade project,” continues Biancardi. “Cambridge Architectural offered one of the lowest-cost solutions and was very attentive to our needs.”
As the first airport project in Canada, and one of the first in North America to target LEED Certification, Cambridge Architectural’s woven metal mesh system contributes to the sustainable attributes of the redevelopment. The metal mesh provides a durable, long-lasting and virtually maintenance-free solution as cladding for the parking structure. The system also met the ventilation and fall protection requirements of the project.
“Cambridge metal fabric systems continue to be utilized for green building purposes because of their multitude of sustainable benefits,” continues Collins. “Cambridge’s stainless steel mesh patterns and corresponding attachment hardware are readily recyclable and can be manufactured from recycled materials. They also are competitively priced when compared to perforated metal panels.”
Construction on the parkade was completed in the fall of 2006, and will incorporate pedestrian access to the new terminal building. The construction is part of a $585 million phased airport site redevelopment slated for completion in late 2009. Upon conclusion, the airport will feature a new terminal building and both groundside and airside improvements.
The project team consisted of architect Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, New Haven, CT, and project manager PCL Constructors Canada, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Stantec Architecture, Winnipeg, also played a role in the interior design and architecture of the new parkade.
Cambridge’s Scale metal fabric product was attached in tension with custom Eclipse attachment hardware, completing the Facade mesh system. Eclipse is a tension attachment method that provides tailored edges for expanses of flexible metal fabric. Elegant, custom cut apertures receive the metal fabric ends in tubing that is integrated into a bracket and structural support design. The tube provides a visual reveal between panel lengths and tube sizes may vary to emphasize or de-emphasize the attachment. Eclipse is appropriate for lengths of metal fabric up to 100’.