December 2018

How would you like your architectural projects to be perceived?

The cutting edge of an ever-changing industry, or just another face in the crowd?

With the New Year just around the corner now is the perfect time to look to the future and examine some architectural trends set to take 2019 by storm.

2019 is set to herald important changes in the world of architecture.

1. Eco-friendly design

2018 marked a global awakening to the problems facing the planet, so it should be no surprise that environmental considerations will feature prominently in architecture over the next 12 months.

As the people in charge of designing the next generation of buildings, architects have the potential to significantly impact the cities of the future. But how? Well, let's start with some base materials:

Aluminium

At Locker Group aluminium is one of our favourite materials to work with.

There are many reasons for this: its impressive strength: weight ratio makes it highly practical for flooring, while its malleability means it can be easily shaped to produce eye-catching features.

However, aluminium also boasts green credentials that put it among the top eco-friendly metals an architect can work with. They include:

• Longevity: Aluminium reacts naturally with the air to form an oxide layer that provides a natural barrier to the elements. This protects the metal underneath from corrosion, making it a sustainable solution for building exteriors.
• Reusability : Aluminium is easy to recycle. Indeed, as much as 75 per cent of all the aluminium humans have produced is believed to still be in use today, according to The Australian Aluminium Council. With advances in recycling technology, it's likely this number will only increase.

Stainless steel

It's not just a pretty face – beyond the sleek and streamlined appearance of stainless steel are some impressive eco-friendly qualities. Like aluminium, stainless steel has a long lifespan when properly cared for, and is 100 per cent recyclable, says the British Stainless Steel Association (BSSA).

Even if the stainless steel itself reaches the end of its useful life, its component parts (nickel, chromium and molybdenum) are all valuable and can be easily separated and recovered.

Being eco-friendly should be a top consideration for architects in 2019.

2. Open spaces

A second architectural trend to look out for in 2019 is a commitment to emphasising open spaces.

However, this comes with an important caveat. Defining individual zones within an expansive area, while retaining a spacious feel, is emerging as a fashion within a fashion.

Fortunately, there are a number of products that allow you to do just this:

Wire mesh curtains:

Wire mesh curtains were put on earth to fulfill the function of delineating sections, providing the perfect balance between privacy and inclusivity. They're a sophisticated and durable option which can bring any large room to life. Best of all, they can be installed on tracks meaning they can be used or stored as needed.

Perforated metal

A great way to make a space feel bigger is to bring the outside in. Natural light and air can help even the smallest and stuffiest space feel larger than it is, rendering it a much more enjoyable place to live or work.

Perforated metal is a great option here, and has been used to great effect by Locker Group on the outside of buildings such as the new Teaching and Learning Centre at Monash University. Here a variety of perforation profiles allows students great views of the surrounding areas as they work while still providing privacy.

Powder coating allows architects to include vibrant colours in their projects.

3. Bold colours

Boldly coloured metals are set to figure prominently in architecture in 2019.

If you're looking to give your designs an eye-catching shade, Locker Group can help you achieve the results you're dreaming of.

We powder coat a wide range of products, including aluminium, stainless steel and mild steel. Powder coating is a durable and environmentally friendly technique which allows decoration in an almost limitless variety of colours.

By opting for this method over other painting alternatives, you get colours that stay vibrant for longer, as well as the opportunity to choose from a variety of textures. Our powder coatings can be glossy and smooth, matte or even wrinkled. We will work closely with you to ensure that the coloured products are delivered to the exact specifications of your unique project.

2019 is set to be an exciting year in the world of architecture, and with these tips up your sleeve you'll be able to hit the ground running come January. Locker Group looks forward to continuing to partner with architects across Australia, providing expert guidance as well as our best in class products. 

Summer in Australia means many things – Christmas, beaches and, of course, the sun.

Australians love the outdoors, but we're also increasingly aware of how important it is to give our skin a break from those intense UV rays.

These three sunscreen products provide architects the ability to create spaces which profit from natural light and airflow, while protecting occupants from the sun's rays:

1. Atmosphere perforated metal

Looking at perforated metal you can instantly see how the combination of holes and sheets makes it an instant winner for sun screening applications. While Locker Group has a variety of different ranges of perforated metal products, here we're going to talk about Atmosphere.

Atmosphere perforated metal paneling is a tensioned facade that provides efficient solar shading while creating visually striking aesthetics. The emphasis here is on flexibility – an almost endless number of design options makes these panels suitable for nearly every architectural specification. 

In addition to the custom choices, we have three standard perforation profile designs:

• E1 and E2: These panels are designed to be used in working towards sustainability achievement criteria by allowing exceptional airflow, minimising the use of HVAC systems.
• W1: These perforations are designed to give maximum visibility for those inside the building looking out.
• A1: For projects that require high levels of ventilation, A1 provides a continuous facade around the structure.

The protection that the building's occupants get from the elements doesn't come at the expense of natural light, however. The perforations are designed to let light in, and can even be customised to reduce glare when necessary.

In addition, perforated metal sunscreens such as Atmosphere are great for allowing air to circulate through and out of a building. This means that those inside the structure will benefit from a comfortable working environment without having to constantly resort to HVAC systems to get through the heat of summer. 

Woven wire mesh can be used both internally and externally to protect against the sun.

2.  Woven wire mesh

Woven wire mesh has long been an architect's best friend when it comes to bringing the outside in, or vice versa, and has strong sun screening credentials.

Its combination of delicacy and durability means that it's equally suited to life either outside or inside a structure:

• Interiors – Woven wire mesh can be used as a stylish alternative to fabric curtains to internally cover windows, hugely reducing glare on screens for staff working inside.
• Exteriors – Externally, woven wire mesh sunscreens provide a lightweight facade option that also protects against wind and rain damage. 

One of the greatest advantages of using woven wire mesh on building facades is the ease with which it can be installed. Due to their light weight, mesh screens require far fewer support structures when compared with other traditional framing systems. This is especially true when combined with custom designed cables and connectors. For example, when Locker Group products were used at the Park Beach Plaza in Coffs Harbour, 900m² of panels were put in place in just nine days. 

Even when functionality is the key consideration, woven wire mesh also brings real character to any building facade. For example, at 103 Lonsdale Street in Melbourne, on the outskirts of Chinatown, aluminium wire was used to create a three-dimensional feature in the shape of a golden lantern.

3. Expanded metal mesh

Expanded metal mesh begins life as a simple sheet that's then simultaneously stretched and slit to produce a pattern of diamond-shaped holes, providing the perfect material for sunscreening.

At Locker Group, we can customise everything from the profile size and shape through to the mesh openings and strand widths. This provides a finished panel with aesthetic and functional credentials to meet your demands. While interiors can benefit from larger mesh profiles that promote light flow, when it comes to sun shading louvre-shaped profiles tick all the boxes. The three-dimensional textured finish that comes with expanded metal mesh is great for letting light in, but keeping interiors cool.

As with perforated metal and woven wire mesh, another important benefit of expanded metal when it comes to creating comfortable spaces this summer is air flow. The slit creation that occurs during manufacture allows air to circulate naturally, stopping offices becoming saunas during the heat of the day. 

For more information on Locker Group products that will give your project the edge in sun protection this summer, get in touch with our team today.