Cassandra

Architectural design can take on many forms either to stand out from or to blend in with the surrounding geography. Adding colour, texture and shapes from the surrounding environment of a new building wall façade can add a more harmonious design to the area. This article will explore why you may want to incorporate your next building into the landscape rather than giving it a distinctive design.

A seamless transition from nature to structure can add a lot to a landscape.

Why blend your architectural façades?

Building façades offer benefits to buildings such as shielding them from wind, protecting them from the sun, facilitating passive cooling or providing opportunities for natural ventilation. The architectural design could incorporate features that absorb flood waters or improve aesthetics as well. All of these elements are in response to the surrounding environment of the building and the intent of the structure itself.

A blended architectural façade design offers a more harmonious quality to a landscape. Instead of constructing a structure that is meant to stand out, a balanced design causes less impact on the surrounding area.

A 2018 journal by Nazire Papatya highlights the importance of sustainable building design, citing that using the landscape as a base for your drawings could improve its energy efficiency and synchronicity with the environment. This could not only mean using perforated metal façades but pulling in colours of the local plants and ground to deepen the visual impact.

Architectural methods to implement this design

While Papatya's dissertation on architecture design primarily focuses on using plant life to manage sustainable structures, there are man-made options you can use as well. The best way to blend a new building with the landscape is to first survey the land. Understand how the space slopes and consider the likelihood of heavy rain, wind or sunshine at certain times of the year or day. Then take in the colours you might use that will coordinate with the landscape.

Generally, a building is meant to communicate a sense of comfort and safety from the elements. This doesn't mean you need to build a fortress made out of titanium metal, but consider a façade that not only protects and provides durability but compliments the area around it as well as the function within.

Perforated metal, expanded metal or woven wire could serve these purposes perfectly as they are not only versatile but can coordinate with the landscape via a coloured coating. The material you choose should also take into consideration how it will fade over time. Choosing a metal that is corrosion resistant like aluminium can add improved longevity to the structure while maintaining its original intent.

A traditional or contemporary design could determine how you incorporate different materials as well. An exterior wall with floor-to-ceiling windows, or ground-to-roof perforated metal could meet your needs for either a modern or traditional design — it's all a matter of how you choose to incorporate colours and textures of the elements around the building to inspire you.

Locker offers an architectural design solution

From ideation to construction, Locker offers the façade solution you need. We are the leader in the perforated sheet metal market, offering a range of woven and welded metal mesh for a full-service design to product solution. We specialise in mild steel, galvanised steel, brass and stainless steel metal material available for your needs, both made-to-order or custom designed.

Adding a visual spark or integrating your design with the landscape is easy with Locker's decades of experience. We can ensure you get both a product that is perfect for the needs of the building as well as your architectural vision.

To get started or to learn more about our product solutions, contact us today.

There are more uses for expanded metal than creating fences or perforated metal sun covers, although these are popular and helpful applications. This versatile and durable material has the potential to underscore stunning architectural design.

This article will uncover the characteristics of expanded metal, how its made and how to utilise it to its fullest potential.

Expanded metal could be the solution you've been looking for.

Architectural expanded metal characteristics

Expanded metal is sheet metal pre-cut and stretched to form diamond shaped openings across its surface. It can easily be adapted to use for a variety of architectural metal projects. Expanded metal can provide many functional solutions as well, such as:

• Security
• Ventilation
• Privacy
• Sun protection

The material has characteristics that are unique to it and help improve its functionality in different architectural use cases. Expanded metal can be described as:

• Rigid
• Adaptable
• Aesthetically appealing
• Lightweight
• Strong
• Decorative and functional
• Flexible

It can be decorated with powder coating or by changing the size of the cuts made to the material during production to support certain design elements of the project. The larger the cut, the more sunlight and airflow can move through it. With smaller cuts, more privacy and sunshade is provided — the perfect solution for facades.

From an architectural perspective, expanded metal can provide texture and depth to a building facade or ceiling without taking away from its structural integrity or design.

Its durability depends on the type of metal you choose. All of Locker's expanded metal is sourced from Dandenong, Victoria steel or aluminium. Both materials are corrosion-resistant. With a powder coat or finishing, they can prove to be more durable against harsh weather conditions.

What makes expanded metal sustainable? There is rarely any scrapped metal at the end of a project. The panels are predetermined and instead of cutting forms out of the metal, as is the case with a perforated sheet, the holes are precut.

A brief expanded metal technical design overview

Depending on how you plan on using the expanded metal, we have a host of product types designed specifically to solve certain structural needs.

To help you decide on diamond sizes and types, we've narrowed down manufacturing specifics to three styles:

• Security and fencing
• Agricultural
• Sunscreen

These categories can help you choose the correct range for your use. However, Australian-made expanded metal can be employed in just about any space you need it.  The versatility comes from how it is manufactured.

Raw material is put through an expanding machine, where it is cut and stretched using a pressured slitting and stretching methodology. The larger the cuts, the more flexible the panel is and the thicker it must be to support the slits. You can choose any variation of hole sizes. At the end of the process, the metal is cut into sheets or rolled into coils.

Expanded metal applications

Outside of the three categories, there are many ways you can use expanded metal. Choose a long-way diamond (LWD) or short-way diamond pattern (SWD), large cuts or small, or even add colour to the expanded metal sheet to improve its visual effect. The pattern of the expanded mesh can be staggered, providing the most open space, or aligned in straight columns and rows.

Expanded metal can be seen in any number of applications, such as:

• Facades
• Walls
• Grilles
• Handrails
• Infill panels
• Walls
• Ceilings
• Floors
• Doors

The intended use of the material will help determine the open area percentage you will need. The larger the space, the more air, water and light can come through the cuts. Typically, architectural expanded metals can be used for building structures, trim, decoration, railings or roofing. Some expanded metals could be combined with concrete to help support the structure's strength.

We use expanded metal most often for building facades. We've helped design vertical facades, polygonal facades and free form facades that are not supported by a wall or structure but simply used for their design and function. A free form use of expanded metal could be outdoor partitions or a part of an art piece adjacent to a building.

What separates Australian metal from the rest

At Locker, we take pride in providing Australian-made metal from Dandenong, Victoria. This is metal you can trust from the manufacturers that are committed to the integrity of our product. We offer an extensive range of expanded metal products and custom designs that can fit any project idea.

Reach out to a Locker professional to learn more about our process, the materials we offer or to get started on your own project.

Windows don't provide enough sun protection for your outdoor/indoor space, but you want natural light — without worrying about constantly cleaning curtains. Wire mesh could be your fix-all solution, while adding a tinge of stylistic flair to your architecture.

Keep reading to learn why architectural mesh is the breakout architectural material you should use in your next project.

Wire mesh should be considered as part of your next architectural design.

Components of wire mesh

Architectural wire mesh is also referred to as architectural wire cloth. This material is factory-made with woven wire to form uniform, parallel spaces and symmetrical gaps. It can be made with a variety of materials, but Locker uses low-carbon steel, high-carbon steel and nickel.

Decorative mesh provides design professionals with the perfect combination of style and function. It can both separate one area from another, like a wall, and allow natural airflow and light through a space, like a window with curtains.

Wire mesh is a versatile material that offers a wide range of exterior and interior applications while lending itself to timeless elegance and a modern appearance. 

Types of wire mesh products

Metal woven wire can add beautiful elements to your building. From car parks to cladding, enclosures and balustrades, wire mesh has a multifaceted look that can fit into any project. It is perfect for outdoor uses because of its durability in the face of extreme weather conditions and resistance to corrosion. This material is easy to maintain and can be customized to reduce metal waste.

Fences and enclosures

Designing an outdoor space with this adaptable material is easy and can bring a building to life. Layer the woven wire to create a rippled effect or manipulate it into a shape that aligns with the architectural design vision. Wire mesh can be used around pools, playgrounds, sports venues and many other structures that utilise safety and security fencing.

The Juliette Cycleway Overpass Bridge, highlighted in our 2019 LookBook, used powder-coated woven wire throughout the pedestrian path to provide protection for visitors and add an interesting, colourful design element to the area. We used inter-crimped wire to improve the locking tightness and fencing rigidity.

Facade cladding

Wrap the entire exterior of a building facade or just a few sides of it with cable metal mesh to protect the building from environmental exposure while changing its presentation. Cladding is not used for the wall itself but as an added "coat" in front of the wall. This creates incredible depth and uniqueness. This is a great use for offices, lobbies and even elevators to improve the look of otherwise ordinary spaces.

In 2018, we worked with architect Hansen Yuncken to design a wire mesh curtain, mentioned in our 2018 LookBook, along the central facade of the Monash University Caulfield campus' library. It created a truly inspiring enhancement to the space that provided shade for the students inside without making them feel locked away from the outdoors.

Balustrade

YYou can use wire mesh for function as well. An infill panel can work in tandem with your railing system. You can create a protective barrier to fill the large open area for pedestrians while directing high trafficked areas. The railing contributes to the overall aesthetic of the area while maintaining transparency.

Canopies

Want to increase the high visibility properties of an outdoor space while maintaining airflow? Give pedestrians and visitors a chance to experience the outdoors with an architectural wire mesh canopy. You can easily manipulate the material to construct a fascinating design element while creating shade and shelter. Architectural canopies create a sense of playfulness or luxury to a space that can be a point of interest for the overall design.

Custom ceilings

If you're ready to impress and inspire onlookers, use wire mesh in your next project. Modern design has created a path for wire mesh to add a sense of luxury to ceiling style. It can add texture, vastness or intimacy to a space as it works seamlessly with various lighting and privacy needs.

2018 was the year of wire mesh. We worked with Futurespace to help develop a woven wire mesh ceiling project. It was used to form a ribbon along the ceiling that would break the mould of what a professional building "should" look like. Without sacrificing any metal, we developed a material that would support the aesthetic of the space, as well as ideal conditions for visual and acoustic considerations. 

If you're looking to add more interesting elements to your project, reach out to a Locker professional today to get started. We provide custom builds, colours and materials that can work with the architectural intent of your project.

Perforated metal is used for more than just a screen or ventilation for your computer tower (although it's great for these uses too). Stainless steel perforated metal can define a space with unique designs, patterns and placements in a way that other sheet metal cannot.

Read on to learn more about how to best utilise stainless steel perforated panels in both commercial and industrial spaces.

Perforated metal can design a space such as a car park facade.

Stainless steel perforated panels: A quick breakdown

Metal panel perforation can be found on park benches, playgrounds, building facades and more. Stainless steel is corrosion resistant, but it is not corrosion proof. Powder coating for stainless steel increases its corrosion resistance and is more commonly found rather than raw material. The powder can come in different colours which add additional design elements to the metal depending on the project. No matter what design path you take, this mesh-like metal sheet can add value to any project.

Perforation has a unique quality that can both divide space and keep an area open enough to see through on the other side.

Perforated stainless steel has been used for both commercial and residential spaces to offer a distinct light filtration. The perforation can cast a shadow across a surface that creates glimmering light beams and shapes — truly beautifying an otherwise blank surface using just sunshine or a well-placed light fixture.

The holes can be any variation of size and shape to incorporate idiosyncratic design elements. Keeping in mind, however, with a bigger hole size, the thickness of the stainless steel sheet needs to be increased as well.

Things to consider for stainless steel panels

Every space has its own list of things to consider when building such as air filtration, maintenance, durability and more. Perforated sheet metal can accommodate many items on your list so, if you're thinking of using this material, here are a few things to consider:

Commercial uses

Perforated stainless steel is a great option for architects looking to save on materials while making a space more attractive. The reason for this is that stainless steel is typically an affordable metal to build with.

Stainless steel is known for its resistance to bacteria and pathogens as well. It's easy to clean and makes a space that would, for example, be used in a playground, more sanitary. When it comes down to maintenance costs in the long term, how easy it is to clean a surface could be on your list of considerations.

Function is certainly a priority but design is also an important consideration with perforated metal.

Perforated stainless steel sheet metal has made its way into the architectural space because of its interesting aesthetic. It's a smooth material, typically a shiny silver colour and you can vary the size of the holes depending on the sheet thickness.

Industrial cases

Industrial spaces use perforated stainless steel for its functional benefits as well. It can be used as a filter, a platform, for ventilation or more.

Any project can benefit from a stainless steel perforated sheet's durability. Whether used as a platform or holding up against an entire year's worth of snow, stainless steel is one of the strongest types of sheet metal on the market.

If used for outdoor purposes, industrial builds need to depend on a metal's resistance to corrosion. When used as a facade on a building or as a partial shade cover in a park, stainless steel can help cut down on maintenance or replacement costs.

To top it all off, stainless steel is also recyclable. When the inevitable upgrade happens, stainless steel doesn't need to be thrown into the dumpster to sit for thousands of years. Instead, it can be repurposed or reused somewhere else, making it a highly sustainable option.

Utilising perforated stainless steel sheet metal

Developing a space using stainless steel panels can help you bring in a number of unique design elements that could either blend an area together or define the vibe of an entire block.

There are many ways to use stainless steel perforated panels from functional to design; but if you take into consideration all of its uses, you can get the most out of this sheet metal type.

When you partner with Locker, there is no limit to what you can do with perforated metal because we provide both custom and standard panels to work with your designed vision. Contact us today to get started.

Decorative expanded metal mesh provides a unique quality to otherwise traditional architectural design. While it can reinforce the security of a building, it can also provide a host of other benefits that can upgrade your building facade.

Explore what it would mean for your next project to include decorative expanded mesh.

Expanded mesh can be an excellent source of decorative inspiration.

What can expanded metal mesh do for you?

Metal mesh begins as a sheet of solid metal that then utilises machinery to cut into it. The sheet is then stretched to form a diamond shape, mesh-like and flattened final product. The benefits of using metal mesh include primarily lie in the ventilation and filtration they provide. Filtering light, supporting air flow, regulating temperature and allowing liquids like rainwater to drain.

Perforated metal starts as a solid metal panel that goes through a hole-making process. However, expanded metal mesh is cut before expansion, making it a stronger material.

Similarly, wire metal mesh is a welded material that appears to have similar qualities to perforated and expanded metal. However, it is composed of several pieces of metal welded together. The result is a grid-like appearance.

How does it work?

Creating your dream decorative design starts with a solid metal sheet or coil that is fed into a machine. This expanding machine is preprogrammed with a fitted tool that creates the  pattern as the metal is expanded with pressured slits. These slits give the metal more space to expand while producing a consistent pattern.

Designs to try

Architectural elements of expanded metal mesh bring together the sturdy reliability of a metal structure with the design aesthetics to make your plan unique. There are several designs and ideas you can use for your architectural expanded metal project. Here are a few you probably haven’t seen yet.

Malin

This design can be raised or flattened. It appears as a series of arrowhead designs facing upward. It can bring an element of prestige and elegance to your partition or wall design.

Rectangular

Utilise this design to bring in minimal light,  depending on the size of the shapes. It gives off a slanted light filtration pattern at certain times of day, a higher sense of privacy and is popular for some public spaces.

Scalloped

A popular design from clothing fashion to furniture, this simple and minimalist style can bring a softness to a space that is familiar and approachable.

Raised horizontal diamond

A highly modern idea that brings the typical diamond design forward in a new twist. Expand the slits to be larger than the palm of your hand and draw the waves of each curve forward to invite passersby to engage in the metal. Hold the design away from the building slightly to bring more dimension to the decorative metal mesh.

Decorate with Locker

We pride ourselves on performing quality work for every customer that comes through our doors. Whether you’re focused on decorative architectural design or industrial applications, there is space for you to express your creativity. We have premade panels and Pic Perf, which allows you to create almost any design for your metal sheet.

Create something that aligns perfectly with your design vision. Give us a call today to get started.

Optimising the acoustics in an enclosed area is one of the most important aspects to consider for a peaceful work environment. When you can hear the sound of a pin dropping, any noise seems amplified – even if it's minimal.

The lack of a strategy to address acoustics can lead to a loud office or a noisy common area. Perforated metal panels can help reduce reverberating noise and improve the serenity of a room.

Elevate your space with metal sound-absorbing paneling.

Metal sound-absorbing basics

What is sound absorption and how does it work?

When a sound is created, it is either absorbed into a material almost completely or is reflected into the area it originated from.

Imagine standing in the middle of a large canyon. When you yell something out into the canyon, you can typically hear the sound wave reflected back at you. Now, if it's raining or if you were surrounded by a dense forest, the resulting sounds might not be as loud. The natural acoustics will still reflect that sound, but the energy of your yell is mostly absorbed by its surroundings. What you hear reflected back has been reduced to nothing more than a small whisper.

Some materials reflect sound energy more than others. A large tiled room with minimal furniture, high ceilings and no carpets will have a loud echo. If that same room had large area rugs, pictures on the wall and a ceiling panel, the room would be able to control unwanted noise more easily.

Now, soundproofing is a little different.

Soundproofing reduces the volume or pressure of sounds created within a room. This method physically blocks sounds from a room while absorbing the sound energy as a form of what is called sound insulation.

Controlling sound with soundproofing by blocking it from passing through a wall is seen most often in movie theaters and recording studios. In both cases, sound entering the room from outside will disturb the sound production inside. This method can be used to prevent sound from escaping or entering a room.

Metal perforated panel installation

Designers use perforated metal as a functionally stylistic way to improve sound acoustics in a busy room. It is usually installed in the ceiling or the walls and absorbs sound with the help of the material underneath it.

The perforated panel has a certain number of punched holes for sound to effectively pass through and into the supporting material. From there the sound is absorbed or scattered. This method allows for a space to absorb most noise from entering the room it is installed in. It's great for office buildings close by a busy street or construction site.

Perforated panels not only help with acoustics but assist with defining spaces as well. If installed indoors, perforated metal panels serve as partitions or can be suspended from the ceiling.

From an architectural perspective, perforated metal panels are excellent for reflecting light if used as a facade. When installed properly, these panels can reduce the excess noise of the building while also reflecting light away from the windows. This ensures the space inside is not only quieter but stays cool and energy-efficient as well.

Additionally, paneling can be completely customisable. When designing with this material, Locker ensures that all of the metal used is recycled and utilised efficiently. All of the cutouts are recycled for another project down the line. We have metals in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours to fit any aesthetic and function.

Why sound absorption panels are right for your next project

Paneling with perforated metal adds a unique decorative effect that is growing in popularity. While it can be used to reduce acoustics, it can help in shading and privacy as well. This type of material can find a home in a wide variety of projects.

Many rooms can be enhanced with sound-absorbing an acoustic panel. Metal roofs in particular could be a difficult beast to control. Using perforated metal for sound absorption, you can reduce the popping noises that occur on your metal roof during each rainfall. The same goes for any unwanted noises. Creating a noise barrier for in your space is paramount for keeping the environment productive, focused and energetically quiet.

Rooms you can use perforated metal noise control include:

• Conference rooms.
• Closed offices.
• Bathrooms.
• Cinema rooms.
• Resting rooms.
• Large shared spaces.
• Shared walls.
• Open concept office spaces.

But this list could go on. There are many possibilities for using this material for both style and function.

Let's get started

With offices all over Australia and New Zealand, we can accommodate any location and project size. Opt for custom or stock panel sizes and let's get to work. Contact us today to set an appointment.

We're excited to fit all of your sound-absorbing needs with perforated metal panels.