Tag Archives: metal fabrics

IPMI & Member News

Member News: GKD Secondary Finishes Provide Designers with Full Spectrum of Color

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GKD Secondary Finishes Provide Designers with Full Spectrum of Color

Cambridge, MD – GKD Metal Fabrics, the leading provider of architectural metal mesh, now offers designers and specifiers an unlimited array of color coating options when designing with metal fabric. Powder coating, specialty painting and also screen printing are used for adding color to stainless steel wire mesh, results in colorful fabric options that are also resistant to extreme heat, cold, bending and flexing.

“For designers who want the functional advantages of stainless steel mesh, but want to explore a color palette beyond the alloy’s signature silver, powder coating and other painting methods solve all challenges at once,” explains Darren Bromwell, GKD-USA Estimating Manager / Coatings Specialist.

GKD offers a handful of secondary finishing techniques when it comes to colors and surfaces:

  • Powder Coating Process – With an exclusive partnership now in place, GKD offers an automated and cost-effective means to apply color to metal fabric using continuous process color coating. In this method, the mesh is subjected to a rigorous cleaning regimen that includes an ionic bath to remove any and all dust, dirt, oil and other particles from the surface. Then, high-grade pigment powders are applied to the charged material (the mesh) and heated to create a powerful This process allows any quantity of wires to be permanently color- coated and depending on the mesh, enables panel dimensions of up to 20 feet by 6 feet horizontally. In addition to standard colors, GKD can custom match a provided color sample.
  • Wet Coating Process – Similar to automotive painting, pre-cut meshes are coated using a paint spraying process. Used primarily on smaller sized mesh panels, this allows an even coating with a high surface quality. In addition to the colors available in the Natural Color System® (NCS), GKD can also analyze individual color samples and reproduce them as custom finish. A comprehensive range of colors used by the automobile industry are also available to produce metallic effects.
  • Screen Printing and Digital Printing – GKD applies these methods when the design calls for a reproduction of complex and/or colored graphics onto a metal fabric surface.

GKD’s custom capability and turnkey technical consultation are combined to help the architect determine the best and most effective method of color coating, keeping key specification criteria in mind. This includes geographic location, exposure to sun, moisture and other elements, as well as aesthetic considerations such as viewing distance, angle and readability. GKD applies its many decades of innovative metal mesh fabrication and installation to guide the specifier in the optimal use of its vast product options and finishes.

For more information on architectural exteriors, visit www.gkdmetalfabrics.com or call 800.453.8616.

About GKD Metal Fabrics

As the leading provider of woven metal fabric for architectural solutions, GKD Metal Fabrics offers architects the ability to create dynamic, modern environments that address numerous building challenges. Drawing on more than 95 years of German engineering excellence and precise American
manufacturing, GKD revolutionized the category of metal fabric applications. With thousands of  interior and exterior installations constructed worldwide, architects and specifiers recognize GKD as the metal fabric authority. Headquartered in Germany, GKD has five other facilities in the US, South Africa, China, India and Chile – as well as branches in France, Spain, Dubai and worldwide  representatives.

Contacts:

Amanda Eden, aeden@fairgamepr.com; Josh Bradley, jbradley@gkdusa.com

 

IPMI & Member News

Member News: GKD Expands the Exterior Footprint with Mid-Door Spaces and Beyond: Breathing Life, Biophilia and Wellbeing into Modern Outdoor Spaces

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Expanding the Exterior Footprint with Mid-Door Spaces and Beyond: Breathing Life, Biophilia and Wellbeing into Modern Outdoor Spaces

Cambridge, MD – Architects are often seeking for ways to create or enhance outdoor spaces in commercial buildings. But in this unprecedented year, all eyes have turned to examining whether a business has the physical space to take it outside. And if not, how can adjacent exterior spaces be adapted for this new design objective? A new charge for architects in 2021 will be expanding the footprint of usable space to the outdoors, a trend with potential to impact all building types and markets.

“Now more than ever, public spaces are poised to become the grand lobbies and public waiting rooms of our neighborhoods and cities,” says Michael Wagner in Gensler’s blog. “At a time when crowds will be metered and access controlled like never before, public space is where people will spend a lot of time, waiting and doing all the things people do when they’re idle,” wagers Wagner.

The Idaho College of Medicine (ICOM) expanded its outdoor seating with a customized outdoor sun shading by GKD Metal Fabrics.

Buildings with atriums, overhangs and semi-enclosed spaces provide enhanced access to these extended outdoor spaces. These “mid-door” spaces – a term coined by Transsolar’s Erik Olsen in his series What is Indoors? for Fast Company – also provide biophilic benefits fundamental to human performance while delivering a flexible program rife with daylight, ventilation and naturally filtered and humidified air.

On the coattails of companies like Amazon, many workplaces are adopting this approach to their
facilities. For example, C3, a Gensler spec project in Los Angeles, transforms the border between an office building and a parking structure into a curated series of outdoor spaces. In environments like this, where building materials must maintain a high level or both performance and aesthetic, metal fabric is an ideal material for expanding the exterior footprint of existing buildings. In addition to its modern look and customization options, metal fabric brings performance characteristics such daylighting ability and providing natural ventilation, safety and security.

Airport design is also evolving to make the passenger journey more of a semi-permeable experience, says Wagner, pointing to JFK’s JetBlue Terminal 5, which weaves a new outdoor dining roof terrace into the design. In this case, metal mesh may be designed to include railings, balustrades and gabions for rooftop lounges or restaurant terrace spaces without obstructing views.

SteelWeave by GKD Metal Fabrics and CornellCookson

In addition to fall protection, metal mesh can secure a semi-permanent perimeter for after
hours. GKD’s collaboration with CornellCookson resulted in a sleek security product called SteelWeave. This metal mesh grill combines GKD fabric with CornellCookson roller shutter technology for elegant theft protection in retail, restaurant and hospitality settings. With current health and safety precautions encouraging socially distanced, outdoor activities, architects are exploring sunshades, overhangs, and other ceiling structures to hover above and define an exterior space. Metal mesh provides a flexible design solution that can adapt to the design of outdoor spaces depending on factors such as location, exposure to sun, moisture and other elements. However, architects do not have compromise on aesthetics, as there are multiple customization options using a wide variety of finishes, weaves and metal alloys.

The Chicago Art Institute utilized GKD Metal Fabrics to install walkway barriers to protect students, staff and members of the community.

With current health and safety precautions encouraging socially distanced, outdoor activities, architects are exploring sunshades, overhangs, and other ceiling structures to hover above and define an exterior space. Metal mesh provides a flexible design solution that can adapt to the design of outdoor spaces depending on factors such as location, exposure to sun, moisture and other elements. However, architects do not have compromise on aesthetics, as there are multiple customization options using a wide variety of finishes, weaves and metal alloys.

Lastly, and perhaps most convincingly for developers and urban planners, there is a sound business case for developing and providing outdoor amenities—at least in a corporate setting. “Research has shown that in the corporate setting being outdoors is the least expensive place to invest in per square foot—it doesn’t cost a lot compared to the building,” says Kirt Martin, vice president of marketing and design for Landscape Forms, the authority on creating outdoor spaces. “Those spaces tend to be overlooked but are really critical to the human experience and to people.”

For more information on architectural exteriors, visit www.gkdmetalfabrics.com or call 800.453.8616.

About GKD Metal Fabrics

As the leading provider of woven metal fabric for architectural solutions, GKD Metal Fabrics offers
architects the ability to create dynamic, modern environments that address numerous building
challenges. Drawing on more than 95 years of German engineering excellence and precise American
manufacturing, GKD revolutionized the category of metal fabric applications. With thousands of interior and exterior installations constructed worldwide, architects and specifiers recognize GKD as the metal fabric authority. Headquartered in Germany, GKD has five other facilities in the US, South Africa, China, India and Chile – as well as branches in France, Spain, Dubai and worldwide representatives.

Contacts:

Amanda Eden, aeden@fairgamepr.com

Josh Bradley, jbradley@gkdusa.com

 

IPMI & Member News

Member News: GKD-USA Promotes Dale Payne to Chief Engineer

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GKD-USA Promotes Dale Payne to Chief Engineer

GKD-USA, the leading provider of woven metal fabric for architectural solutions, has promoted Dale Payne to Chief Engineer. Payne successfully obtained his Professional Engineering License for the State of Maryland which triggered the immediate promotion. The license is obtained through education, work experience, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.

“This licensure demonstrates Dale’s engineering competency,” commented Tom Bialk, Engineering Manager, GKD-USA. “This is a prestigious achievement and we couldn’t be happier to have him as part of the GKD team.”

Payne joined GKD-USA’s engineering department in May 2018 and quickly became an invaluable team member. He had a major role in obtaining and completing the company’s biggest and most challenging architectural project in its history – the recently completed Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. He supports the sales, estimating and production departments with new applications as well as completing and supporting all architectural projects.

Payne earned his associate’s degree in Engineering Technology at Chesapeake College and his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park.

About GKD Metal Fabrics
As the leading provider of woven metal fabric for architectural solutions, GKD Metal Fabrics offers architects the ability to create dynamic, modern environments that address numerous building challenges. Drawing on more than 95 years of German engineering excellence and precise American manufacturing, GKD revolutionized the category of metal fabric applications. With thousands of interior and exterior installations constructed worldwide, architects and specifiers recognize GKD as the metal fabric authority. With its headquarters in Germany and five other facilities in the US, South Africa, China, India and Chile – as well as its branches in France, Spain, Dubai and worldwide representatives, GKD is close to markets anywhere in the world.
For more information, visit www.gkdmetalfabrics.com or call 800.453.8616.

Media Contacts:

Amanda Eden: aeden@fairgamepr.com

Josh Bradley: jbradley@gkdusa.com