Architecture

Exterior architectural screens are versatile, attractive additions to building projects. Placement over windows, above doors and in many other locations can help to create a cohesive visual identity for your structure while offering some valuable practical benefits.

Whether you use mesh (including wire mesh and architectural mesh), cladding, louvres or another specific type of screen, you can realise some important and positive changes for your building. Let's look at four unique uses of exterior architectural screens you'll want to use in your own project. One especially important thing to remember as you review these benefits is their ability to stack upon one another. You can implement an exterior architectural screen that offers improved aesthetics, helps regulate cooling costs and adds an element of privacy all at the same time.

Exterior architectural screens help blend visibility and privacy.

1. Improved aesthetics

Exterior screens have an immediate visual impact on everyone who sees the building, whether they work, live or shop there or simply pass by. Architectural screens add a new dimension to a structure, making them more unique in terms of design and how they're perceived by individuals and the community. There are many examples of perforated metal and other types of screens helping a building stand out from the crowd.

The flexibility of architectural screens are important to note in this context. You can select mesh screens, perforated metal, woven wire and other options to best align with your overall vision for the project. Stainless steel and other types of metal can be finished and painted in a variety of styles, adding to the design flexibility. Whether your concept is a wholly abstract one or a visual representation of the structure's intent, you can enhance the aesthetics of your project with exterior architectural screens.

2. Informing intent

The concept of demonstrating the purpose of a building via exterior architectural screens is tied to idea of improved aesthetics, but offers some unique advantages separate from that goal. With a Pic Perf screen, for example, you can offer a concise and powerful visual explanation of the activities carried out within the structure. This application of architectural metal makes the intent of a facility clear in a way that many types of traditional signage cant. The ability to thoroughly customise the image perforated into the underlying metal sheets and vary the size and shape of the screen makes Pic Perf uniquely suited for addressing this opportunity.

An external architectural screen that demonstrates the purpose of the facility behind it is useful for attracting customers, growing interest in the local community and guiding first-time visitors to a specific location. With the use of this powerful design concept still on the rise, your facility will stand out for many years to come.

3. Temperature regulation and control

Heating and cooling costs for buildings are a major component of the long-term budget for operation. The Department of Environment and Energy found HVAC costs account for 39% of total energy consumption within an office building. Depending on their placement and the size of the gaps in the material, exterior screens can play a valuable role in providing shade to a structure while still allowing for visibility. By deflecting and absorbing sunlight, less residual heat filters into the building behind them.

In office buildings, apartments and other structures with a large number of windows, exterior architectural screens can reduce the ongoing price tag associated with cooling a building without significant maintenance costs of their own.

4. Privacy and limiting access

Windows that face the outside world help workers, customers and residents connect with the broader environment around them, as well as keep track of the weather and the passage of time. Allowing natural light into a building can also help to reduce the costs associated with electric lighting. These benefits aren't always in line with the purpose of a given building. Whether its environments with an expectation of privacy, like a medical facility or school, or a simple desire for limited visibility, exterior architectural screens can effectively address this need.

A screen can help strike a balance between visibility and privacy, allowing those inside a structure to see out while significantly reducing the ability of those outside to see in. With an exterior architectural screen, your building can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Finding the best partner for your exterior architectural screen

Knowing you want to add an exterior screen to your project is just the first step in realising this beneficial addition to your building. Partnering with a trusted, experienced provider of architectural screens means you can be confident in the results of your efforts.

To learn more about how Locker can help you make your vision a reality, get in touch with us today.

Metal grating is an indispensable tool in a variety of industrial and commercial settings. In its most common applications, it helps keep workers and visitors in a facility safe, providing a stable flooring base and traction when walking at ground level and, especially, at heights. It also can serve as an effective safety barrier, helping to deter accidents that could harm staff, equipment and the facility itself.

Stainless steel grating is especially valuable in this context, as it resists rust and corrosion. That means a longer-lasting walking surface or barrier with increased reliability and greater long-term value to the businesses using it. Grating can be customised to fit in many different facilities and is offered in different formulations, taking different load-bearing requirements and other factors into account.

A material as versatile as metal grating has many more applications than its most familiar one. Using steel grating in new and unique fashions can combine its practical safety applications with other considerations, like a specific aesthetic or an opportunity to set a mood when entering a facility. Let's look at three unusual and attractive applications of metal grating.

Metal gratings play a critical role in the safe operation of many facilities, but can be used in many other applications.

1. A unique, consistent aesthetic

Metal grating can be deployed as everything from standard floor and walkway coverings to platforms and mezzanines. While safety and durability are always the most important factors in these applications, there are also opportunities to create a unified aesthetic for a facility within the requirements set by considerations like the need for traction and weight support. This unified visual feel can make a facility appear more cohesive overall, providing a sense of continuity across all surfaces where the material is used. It can also be extended to protective barriers, strengthening this holistic approach to design.

There are a number of strategies to consider in this regard. Prefabricated panels can be used in many circumstances where this type of grating meets the needs of the facility. Knowledgeable grating providers can also create custom grating that fit into nonstandard floor plans and address specific operational needs, allowing for consistent appearance as well as effective management of safety concerns.

2. Visually appealing applications in entryways and office spaces

Not every space within an industrial or commercial facility needs metal grating from a safety or functional perspective. Office areas, entryways outside of the factory or warehouse and other places within the facility may not need the same slip protection and support if staff aren't engaging in activities that require this level of safety and support. However, metal grating can offer a unifying element in these areas, visually tying all areas of the facility together with a unified appearance.

Using the same metal grating within an entryway or foyer, set into a supporting floor structure, helps to indicate the major purpose of the facility and the type of work performed there to everyone who steps foot inside it. Metal grating can also be used in a pure application of form in this way, mounted to walls to provide visual context. Although it's not being used in its most common application, it can be a powerful design element that creates a sense of unified function.

3. Aluminium – an increasingly popular alternative

While steel grating is often seen as the standard in industrial applications, there are effective alternatives that can replicate the most important elements of this type of support structure. Aluminium is an increasingly popular choice for businesses that don't want to implement steel grating. While not as strong as steel due to its lighter weight, aluminium can capably provide the support and traction needed in a variety of industrial applications. In fact, its lighter weight makes it easier to instal in situations where the load-bearing capabilities of the underlying support structure is an important consideration. Its light weight also allows it to be more easily used as a false ceiling, facade or landscape feature, bringing a variety of aesthetic design options to the table.

Aluminium additionally offers a unique visual appearance that can stand out more than standard steel. If the safety features of aluminium meet your project's requirements, you can benefit from an effective combination of form and function by choosing this option.

Webforge is a leader in the prefabricated and custom metal grating space, offering a wide range of options for industrial and commercial projects. Our ability to custom craft many different styles of metal grating means you can rest assured that your facility can instal the grating it needs to address concerns of appearance and safe operation, regardless of the specifics.

To learn more, get in touch with the experts at Webforge today.

Architectural projects offer an opportunity to blend aesthetic and functional elements, creating a visually dynamic new structure or addition to an existing one that also plays a practical role. By taking both design and usefulness into account, organisations can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Individuality is another consideration that's deeply connected to both aesthetics and practicality. With the right design elements involved, organisations can highlight everything from the concrete – their logo, word mark or a visual display of what the building is used for – to the abstract – unique imagery that entrenches the structure in the mind of those who see it. By incorporating these striking visual elements into a function portion of the structure, the organisations and people that occupy them enjoy a more holistic approach to modern architecture.

Our Pic Perf technology helps your project successfully address all of these considerations, blending form and function together into a striking final product with nearly limitless options for customisation. Let's look at exactly what Pic Perf is, then review the many ways in which you can utilise it to improve practical and aesthetic elements of your structure.

What is Pic Perf?

In direct, basic terms, Pic Perf is a perforated metal facade added to a new or existing structure. The key differentiation is the design and application of the perforations.

Perforated metal in general has a variety of benefits when used in architectural applications. These custom-sized perforated sheets can help protect buildings from excess exposure to sunlight and win, or serve as an internal sun screen fulfilling the same purpose, and the many issues that can arise from those concerns. They do all of this while adding a unique design element to a structure. Perforated metal has a number of other specific applications that we'll detail in the next section of this article.

Pic Perf stands out from other perforated metal applications by offering the opportunity to incorporate everything from a logo to an abstract design into the manufacturing process. By working in concert with purely functional perforations throughout the sheet or sheets used, it doesn't sacrifice any of the functional benefits of perforated metal sheets. And with the experienced, skilled staff of Locker  working with you throughout the design process, you can be sure the imagery and functional perforations will harmoniously align into a visually striking final product.

This unique option can be used with many different types of metal and retain a natural finish or use anodised or powder coatings for additional customisation. Depending on scale, a Pic Perf installation can consist of a single panel or many, designed with the unique needs of an indoor or outdoor application in mind.

With a firmer grasp on the specifics that set Pic Perf apart from other perforated metal options available for construction projects, let's take a look at some key applications.

What are some of our favourite applications of Pic Perf?

Sun screens

We've briefly touched on one of the most common and effective uses of Pic Perf: sun screens and controlling the amount of light that hits a building. There are a number of reasons why this is important:

• Comfort in working and living environments: One of our previous looks at Pic Perf shared data from the Urban Green Council, which found nearly 60 per cent of windows in all-glass buildings were covered with shades. Controlled exposure to sunlight can be a benefit of a building, but excessive light can disrupt both work and home life.
• HVAC costs: The price of regulating a building's temperature, especially when it features many windows or is constructed entirely out of glass, adds a never-ending cost to operations. A sun screen can lower the price tag of this need without completely eliminating the flow of natural light, striking a happy balance.
• Protecting vehicles and many other assets: Car parks exposed to substantial direct sunlight can create uncomfortable and even dangerous conditions inside vehicles. Sun screens that regulate light exposure help maintain a more comfortable environment for employees, customers and guests as they leave a structure, offering a positive experience to the very end.

With Pic Perf, your organisation can deploy its preferred design or branding on a functional sun screen – whether inside or outside of the building – adding a valuable visual component to a functional and important component of a structure.

Dividers and walls

While Pic Perf's most visible applications are in the context of an exterior facade that can be seen by anyone who passes by, there are many more ways in which this useful and unique approach to perforated metal can be deployed. Dividers and walls are two examples. Pic Perf can serve as a floor-to-ceiling privacy screen in front of a glass partition or by itself, obscuring sensitive work that takes place behind it without totally blocking the flow of light into an area. It can also divide sections of an open floor plan area without stretching the entire vertical length of the room.

This can be an opportunity to add a unique visual to a practical component, making for a more interesting and engaging space while also improving privacy.

Fencing

Securing the perimeter of a building or screening a walkway doesn't have to be a purely utilitarian pursuit. Using Pic Perf as the fence itself or in addition to an existing containment structure can turn something that often isn't regarded as particularly eye-catching or appealing with a visually engaging appearance. This tactic can be used within a large campus or on the edges of property surrounded by public streets and walkways with equal effectiveness.

Balustrades

Similar to fencing applications, Pic Perf can add a new dimension to railings and the balusters that support them. Adding a Pic Perf screen to an existing or new balustrade can enhance its appearance and help protect the underlying functional structure. This is another example of how Pic Perf strikes a balance between important architectural and design concepts through the use of perforated metal.

Taking the next step toward your own Pic Perf installation

Locker has the industry expertise, knowledge and ability to help you make the most of your own custom Pic Perf project. We can assist you throughout the process, from diving into the details of the installation to select the best materials and perforation pattern to ensuring a high degree of quality throughout the production timeline.

Having a dependable partner is critical for high-value – and highly visible – projects like Pic Perfect facades and other installations of this versatile approach to perforated metal. To learn more about Locker  and Pic Perf, get in touch with us today.

Perforated metal is a common design feature of buildings around the world. It is a cost-effective and flexible way to bring unusual and exciting architectural ideas to life.

In this post we explore some of the features and benefits of custom perforated metal and share some of the ways Locker uses perforated metal products to create striking, innovative designs that fit the customer's specific requirements.

What is custom perforated metal?

Custom perforated metal consists of a metal base with a series of holes or perforations to achieve a particular look and feel.

Custom perforated metal can be added to otherwise uninspiring structures to add some creative flare. It is often the perforated metal that gives a building its visual identity. When people think about that building, it is the perforated metal that jumps out as the defining feature.

Perforated metal design can use a range of bases with custom perforations made to fit the particular architectural design requirements.

Perforated metal is cost effective and flexible for architects.

How is perforated metal made?

Perforated metal starts as sheet metal. The perforations are then punched through the metal in line with a predetermined design.

Locker offers a wide range of tools to fully customise this process. That means customers are able to create truly unique designs in the shape, size and arrangement of the perforations. The metal itself can also be manipulated in various ways, with borders, folds and notches.

Most projects use perforated aluminium or perforated stainless steel. But the perforation process can be applied to a wide range of different materials.

What are the benefits of using custom perforated metal?

Drive through any city and the popular appeal of perforated metal is there to see. Here are some of the reasons why so many architectural designs use custom perforated metal.

• Flexibility: custom perforated metal is usually just a facade that sits on top of or wraps around a building. Designing, constructing and modifying perforated metal can be done without affecting the underlying structure. This makes it easier and cheaper to achieve particular visual effects.
• Creative flair: custom perforated metal allows you to bring real creative flair to a building project without breaking the bank. This could be a new project or remodelling and upgrading of an existing structure. Custom perforated metal has so many different options that each design can be unique.
• Natural light and air: the combination of sheet metal and patterned perforations allow for maximum flow of light and air. At the same time, these facades provide shelter from the elements for the structure and its occupants.
• Noise reduction: perforated metal can play a useful role in reducing noise. This can be particularly helpful in environments with a lot of noise pollution or concern about the ill effects of noise on residents or workers. Perforated metal allows designs to combine a practical benefit with strong visual appeal.

How does Locker customise perforated metal?

Locker is a leading provider of perforated metal, offering a wide range of fully customisable solutions.

The vast library of tools we use to perforate sheet metal allows customers to make one-of-kind creations that will give a unique look and feel to their buildings or spaces. We also have extensive experience and a large collection of case studies to show the quality of our work and help to inspire our customers for their own projects.

As well as working with a range of materials, Locker also offers different options for finishing perforated metal, including anodising, powder coating and electroplating. Our experts can advise you on the best material and finish for your project's needs.

3 examples of custom perforated metal design

Working with Locker you benefit from our experience and proven track record. Here are just three examples of how our perforated metal designs have brought a unique, creative edge to famous and well-loved buildings.

Brisbane Services Union

In 2018, Locker teamed up with Architectus, an architecture and design studio, to create the facade for the Brisbane Services Union building.

Brisbane Services Union featuring perforated metal.

A priority in this project was temperature control, as the building is west-facing and therefore takes the full heat of Brisbane's afternoon sun.

Locker used a specially designed perforated metal system called Atmosphere to help protect the structure, reducing the running costs while also contributing to the aesthetic appeal.

Keep reading about Locker's Brisbane Services Union project.

Latrobe University (Dining Hall)

Locker worked with Melbourne-based architects, Billard Leece, to create a perforated metal facade for the dining hall at Latrobe University's Bendigo campus.

Perforated metal was chosen because it offered good flow of light and air. The project presented a number of design challenges, requiring Locker and Billard Leece to come up with some innovative solutions to achieve the desired look and feel.

Keep reading about Locker's Latrobe University (Dining Hall) project.

Perth Arena (Feature Wall)

As well as external facades, custom perforated metal can also be used to create signature internal design features.

A good example is this project at the Perth Arena. The Perth Arena is a futuristic structure that has become a landmark in the city since it opened in 2012.

Locker used its Pic Perf product as a textural element of a feature wall inside the venue. The wall has perforations designed to look like the folds of a quilt and used anodised aluminium to contrast with the surrounding timber paneling.

Keep reading about Locker's Perth Arena (Feature Wall) project.

Learn more about custom perforated metal

Locker can help you use custom perforated metal to give your next design project a striking, one-of-kind look. Tap into the knowledge of our experts, browse our library of case studies and learn more about how we customise perforated metal here.

A facade is critical for many building projects for both aesthetic and practical reasons.

Facades have the power to transform a standard building, whether one under construction or an existing facility, with a unique front-facing appearance that sets it apart from the many other structures in the area. With a variety of materials and designs to choose from, each facade can combine many different elements to stand on its own and make a noticeable impact on those who walk past and interact with the underlying building.

These additions to buildings also play a key role in regulating temperature and creating a more comfortable environment for those inside. By screening out some, but not all, sunlight from reaching the windows of the structure, facades help to cut down on HVAC costs without keeping staff and visitors in unpleasant, windowless spaces. With sunlight filtered as it strikes windows, employees and guests have more consistent visibility and don't have to lose focus or face distractions that come with shifting natural light.

Let's look at how a facade project can add a distinct, eye-catching element to your building, and how working with Locker on such an effort gives your organisation a dependable and proven partner.

The many options available for building facades

One factor unifying the majority of facades on modern buildings is their basic composition. Some form of stamped, perforated or expanded metal is frequently used to ensure the aesthetic and thermal qualities of the facade last for many years to come. This is the point where facades begin to diverge. Depending on the specific needs of a project, you can choose from many different options that take those requirements into account. The options offered by Locker include:

Atmosphere facades

This type of building facade emphasises visibility while also ensuring the temperature regulation aspects of facades aren't ignored. By allowing those within a building to look outside and work or visit without being blinded during the brightest parts of the day, everyone can enjoy the view.

Atmosphere facade projects were created with speed and efficiency in mind, allowing for a quick addition to an existing or new structure. The panels are often installed on tensioned stainless steel cables, which makes the process that much easier. Ridged panels can also be used in situations where cables don't align with the design vision for the structure.

With a streamlined approach to adding panels, whether across an entire building or in key areas to maximise visual impact, Atmosphere building facades can bring a variety of benefits to structures ranging from car parks to office buildings, medical facilities and much more.

Expanded metal facades

Expanded metal offers an overall industrial visual quality when workers, visitors and passers-by are close to the structure, but have a light, open appearance when viewed from a distance. Designed to protect against the harsh glare of the sun, these facades are equally at home providing security, plant and privacy screening, among many other applications.

Pic Perf facades

Pic Perf facades highlight the range of visual options that come with these valuable additions to buildings. An existing facade can have a graphic design added to it by utilising the holes punched in the material. The overall appearance is that of an exceptionally large graphic, whether an abstract concept, logo or visual representation of the work performed by the company and those inside the building.

Pic Perf can be used both inside and outside, and this valuable addition doesn't compromise the heat regulation qualities that are so important when it comes to building facades.

What you can expect when you partner with Locker 

Adding a facade to a building, whether when designing blueprints or as a new addition to an existing structure, can be a complicated and time-consuming effort without the right support and guidance from a trusted partner. Locker's 60-plus years of experience working on a variety of architectural projects gives your organisation the guidance that is so valuable when it comes to everything from selecting the perfect material to safely and securely installing the facade.

When you decide to partner with Locker, you can expect knowledgeable, targeted and consistent support from the start of every project to its end. We're ready to provide guidance, answer questions and help you see your building facade efforts through to completion. With a wide range of facade products, we're sure we can find the best possible material, design and application to align with the visual and practical needs of your building.

To learn more about how Locker can make your building facade project a success, get in touch with the experts at of our eight offices today.

Perforated metal is an incredibly broad category in terms of construction materials. With so many base materials and options for perforating, coating and adding borders, folds and notches, perforated metal can be a welcome addition to the aesthetics of a wide variety of structures while also offering practical benefits.

Perforated metal is most frequently thought of in the context of a facade for a building, helping to regulate temperature and exposure to sunlight. There are many different unique and impressive uses specifically in this application, but there are so many more potential applications to consider. This valuable, versatile material is equally at home within and outside of a variety of structures. It can emphasise aesthetics, practical benefits or an efficient combination of the two.

A look at some innovative uses of perforated metal can help you decide on how to best incorporate this design feature into your next project, whether it's designing a building from the ground up or adding key elements to an existing structure.

What do I need to know about perforated metal?

One of the key qualities of perforated metal is how easily it can be used to transform the visual appearance of part or all of a building. By creating a superstructure surrounding the more practical building underneath, perforated metal can solve a variety of design challenges that may otherwise require costly, time-consuming processes to achieve.

An incredible variety of shapes are possible with perforated metal, from rounded edges and sloping curves that evoke clouds and waves to sharp angles and flat surfaces that combine to create complex yet pleasing geometric designs. Whether limited to windows, applied to the front of a structure or surrounding much or all of the building,

Perforated metal also has a number of functional qualities that can be difficult to achieve with other materials, including:

• Heat regulation: Perforated metal can, in many applications, limit the amount of sunlight that reaches the underlying structure or specific areas where this material is installed. That helps protect against excess heat, lowering cooling costs and maintaining a more stable temperature, and reduces the potential for the long-term affects of sun exposure.
• Sound absorption: Excess noise can be a distraction or even a safety concern, depending on the setting. The right screen can effectively dampen these unwanted noises, as a research paper published by IOP Science explained.
• Improved visibility: The perforations in metal make it easy for those within a structure to see outside while keeping their eyes shaded from the sun.

What are some innovative uses of perforated metal?

While no longer on the cutting edge of perforated metal applications, uses within a building – as opposed to as part of a facade or other exterior screen – have only begun to be tapped. There are a number of possible benefits to be had from a targeted installation within a structure. They can be installed along interior walls and below ceilings to help address issues with excessive noise as well as diffuse the sometimes harsh effects of lighting, as Metal Architecture explained.

There are a number of other uses to consider within a building, ranging from the purely aesthetic to offering increased privacy without completely walling off a space. They can also be deployed on skylights and some interior windows for a light filtering effect.

Imagery is another growing application when it comes to perforated metal. Along with the visual impression created by the perforations, form and structure of this material, there are also options for deploying graphics on perforated metal for increased individuality and a unique image.

Our own Pic Perf process uses a detailed approach to perforation that provides an end product with an array of visually distinct graphics. Options range from company logos and word marks to many abstract and more concrete designs. With a robust process for reproducing imagery, there are many avenues to explore.

Exterior corridors and walkway covers are another innovative application worth considering, especially in sunny, hot climates. With the right perforated metal, you can keep guests and staff members alike protected from direct sunlight as they travel between nearby buildings or within a large campus. Perforated metal can also serve as a privacy or security screen on the sides of walkways and corridors, paired with a full roof to protect workers and sensitive materials from the elements as well as prying eyes.

Finding the right partner for a perforated metal project is critical for realising success, from the design phase through the long-term stability and performance of the material. Get in touch with Locker Group today to learn how our wide range of materials and expertise in deploying them can help make your perforated metal vision a reality.

When thoughtfully designed and properly installed, an expanded metal mesh facade makes a building visually distinct and memorable while offering a variety of practical benefits as well.

Headquarters and major facilities are a crucial part of an organisation's identity. With the right facade included in the design, your new or existing building can become a valuable element of overall brand recognition.

Let's review exactly what an expanded metal mesh facade is, then review some especially impressive examples of their use in structures built across the globe.

What is an expanded metal mesh facade?

In the world of architecture, a facade is simply an external side of a building. It often, but not always, refers to the front of the structure. The distinguishing feature of the facade is its importance in establishing the overall style and identity of the overall structure. While a well-designed facade often includes design flourishes usually aren't as prevalent throughout the rest of the building, it is the most memorable.

Expanded metal mesh is a piece, or many pieces, of metal cut and stretched to form a distinct design. A variety of base materials can be used to reach a final product that displays a wide range of patterns. It can additionally be treated with a variety of paints and lacquers to display many different colours, and graphics can be printed on the mesh as well. Certain varieties of plants can also grow on the mesh, adding another visually impressive option.

The visually distinct appearance of expanded metal mesh isn't the only benefit it provides. A key element of this metal mesh is its ability to filter some, but not all, light from reaching a building. This helps regulate building temperature, reducing the amount of sunlight that comes into contact with the underlying structure while still allowing for air to circulate.

Additionally, metal mesh can maintain visibility into the outside world for staff and guests while reducing the amount of direct sunlight shining directly into meeting and working spaces. Depending on a building's orientation, this benefit can help employees and others avoid this type of unwelcome distraction.

3 buildings with especially impressive expanded metal mesh facades

1. Maison Folie de Wazemmes, Lille, France

The Maison Folie de Wazemmes is an excellent example of how a building facade can breathe new life into an existing structure. By applying modern design principles and benefits to an existing textile factory, this multi-use arts facility enjoys an incredibly eye-catching design that aligns with the facility's overall intent and purpose.

The aesthetic benefits are increased through the use of multicoloured lights that can transform the steel grey facade exterior at night, displaying a range of vibrant hues. This benefit is another example of the versatility of mesh facades from a design perspective. Of course, the facade also shields visitors, volunteers, performers and staff from the harshest effects of sunlight entering the building during the day as well.

This example of an expanded metal mesh demonstrates how a wide range of buildings, both old and new, can create a distinct atmosphere with the carefully designed and applied facade.

2. Ali Mohammed T. Al-Ghanim Clinic, Kuwait

The facade of the Ali Mohammed T. Al-Ghanim Clinic in Kuwait is another instance of facades combining practical and visual benefits. Designed by firm AGi architects, which has offices in Madrid and Kuwait, the clinic emphasises privacy – a core need in healthcare settings – while featuring a truly impressive outside appearance.

The overall building design places its courtyards and similar interior spaces within the facade, which plays a critical role in filtering and deflecting light. In a consistently hot, dry climate, offering access to outdoor spaces while reducing potential issues like heat exposure is critical.

This expanded metal mesh facade also makes an incredible first impression. While not a traditional design for a healthcare building, it's both memorable and easily distinguished from a distance. The ease with which visitors and locals can identify the structure is a significant advantage in terms of branding and recognition.

3. Deloitte Bygget, Oslo

We featured the Deloitte Bygget building when highlighting notable commercial building facades, and its distinctive appearance means its worth a second look. Located in an area of Oslo full of skyscrapers and other impressive structures, this building needed to stand out as its own structure.

The visual approach to the facade is based on a breaking glacier, which offers a unique appearance as well as a strong connection to Norway's cultural history and physical location. The practical benefits are similar to many other facades: Limiting the ability of sunlight to directly contact the underlying structure, helping to reduce heating costs and provide shade for those inside the building.

This facade is also notable for allowing the Deloitte Bygget to conform to Oslo's strict building codes while creating a strong visual identity. That's something worth keeping in mind for every project where a facade may be used.

Moving forward with your own facade

Expanded metal mesh facades allow businesses to add their own twist on common building designs, repurpose existing structures with a new, attractive visual element and stand out in areas where building codes limit other forms of individuality. Of course, they also provide practical benefits that help to address issues with direct sun exposure and HVAC management, as well as offer valuable shade and a more consistent environment for staff and visitors.

To find out how Locker Group can help turn your own facade idea into a reality, get in touch with us today.

Brisbane's diverse range of bikeways makes exploring the city on two wheels a firm favourite for locals and tourists alike.

As such, when Locker was asked to provide products and expertise for the Juliette St. Bridge Cycleway Overpass, we were thrilled to be part of the team working towards revamping sections of the iconic route.

In this case study, we'll explore how the project unfolded from brief to finished build, what products were selected and why, and how Locker worked with its partners to achieve the end result.

The Juliette St. Bridge Cycleway Overpass is situated along one of Brisbane's popular cycle routes.

The brief

The Queensland Government were working with multiple parties to upgrade Brisbane's cycle network to ensure it was safe, appealing and functional for future generations. The Juliette St. Bridge Cycleway Overpass was one among many of the bridges that had been selected for renovation.

Each bridge along the course offers a different aesthetic to the cyclists that use them, so the emphasis here was on creating a unique yet functional overpass that would draw the eye but also stand the test of time.

The project managers contacted Locker because they were seeking a high quality woven wire that had a long life span as well as strong visual credentials. To fulfill this criteria, our team took one of our standard offerings in this space and customised it to perfectly meet these requirements.

The product 

The product selected for the Juliette St. Bridge Cycleway Overpass was our 3.15 mm inter-crimped woven wire, featuring a 22.4 mm aperture.

Woven wire is one of our favourite products to work with, and we have a reputation for creating meshes that are lightweight, easy to transport and quick to install. From an architectural standpoint, it provides a delicate texture that's as at home on a building facade as it is on more idiosyncratic projects like the Brisbane bikeway. Among its many potential functions are sun screening, dividing up spaces and as a safety screen enclosure.

Wherever possible, we try to produce at our plant locally, and in the case of the Juliette St. Bridge Cycleway Overpass, due to the project's timeline constraints and the quantity of woven wire required, the Locker products used were made both locally in the Brisbane and in New Zealand production facilities to ensure product was delivered to meet the project's tight schedule.

On top of the wire's innate characteristics, two important features made it perfect for the cycleway application:

1. Being inter-crimped: Inter-crimping uses additional crimps between the intersections of the two woven wire strands leading to increased locking tightness and rigidity.
2. Pre galvanisation: To give it the strength and lifespan demanded in the project specification, the steel wire was pre-galvanised to a coating of up to 240 microns. This is a huge increase on the normal 40 micron coating this product has when bought off the shelf.

With these factors taken into account, despite its exposed location, this product would have a lifespan of at least 25 years, a great return on investment for a woven wire that meant it met the requirements of the brief.

The woven wire mesh chosen for this project has a long lifespan thanks to inter-crimping and pre-galvanisation.

The challenges

To help the bridge make a unique aesthetic statement and stand out from the other overpasses along the bike track, the structural engineers employed by the Queensland Government had decided to run the mesh panels on an angle from the overpass itself. 

While such an innovative approach certainly achieved the desired visual effect, producing and installing products for use on an angle created challenges for our team and for Belconnen Steel, our fabrication partners for this build. 

Getting around this involved frequent and clear communication between Locker and Belconnen to ensure that the wire, and the frames that would contain it, were produced to the correct tolerances for the application. As well as ensuring that Belconnen knew the cutting tolerances of our wire in order to produce frames to match, we also left a little extra on the wire lengths which allowed them to trim it back to the exact dimensions of their frames, meaning there was never a danger of the wire being too short.

The result

As a finished build, the Juliette St. Bridge Cycleway Overpass stands out even among the eclectic and exciting variety of bridges that make up Brisbane's bikepath. The woven wire mesh enables cyclists travelling along this stretch of the route to look out at the city around them, while providing an important safety barrier as the track crosses the road beneath. What's more, thanks to the customisation from Locker's team, the products installed will be there for years to come.

To find out more about how Locker can help you achieve your goals on your next architectural or industrial project, get in touch with our team today.

At Locker, we've always been about two things – great products, and a willingness to work closely with architects to help them achieve the results they want.

We love it when respected designers reach out to us because they're keen to work with us on their next design, but just because a specific product looks great in theory, doesn't mean it's always the right one to go with.

In late 2018, this is exactly what happened when Locker teamed up with Architectus to create the eye-catching facade for Brisbane's Services Union building. This case study will show how a seemingly simple project can throw up some unexpected challenges, and how our experts worked with both the architect and fabricator to find the perfect solution.

Locker's perforated panels are easy to install and present strong visuals.

1. The brief

Architectus initially contacted our Brisbane team to integrate our Atmosphere system into the frontage for the Services Union.

Atmosphere is a system consisting of horizontal folded panels installed on an 8 mm stainless steel cable support system. In addition to the powerful aesthetic properties this product possesses, as a perforated panel it's ideal for keeping buildings cool. This objective was particularly key in this build due to the structure's West facing aspect, which means that it bears the brunt of the afternoon sun. In the long-term, perforated facades will mean reduced costs for the building operators with regards to heating and cooling systems, as well as a greener build that uses less electricity.

However, there was a problem. The architect wanted to run the folded panels vertically on the facade, something that cannot be achieved with the horizontal Atmosphere system. So, it was time for our team to put their heads together, and come up with an alternative …

2. The product

While Atmosphere itself was out of the question for this application, it was this product that had caught the architect's eye in the first place. Therefore, the solution we devised incorporated some of the key features of Atmosphere, but with the specifics of the Services Union project in mind, the panels needed to be installed on a more traditional fixing system.  

The key aspects of this custom product were:

• Texture and depth – To provide the facade with a light and airy feel.
• Visibility – Allowing the building's occupants to see outside.
• Ventilation – To keep the structure's cooling costs down.

The product we eventually created featured a similar folding pattern to Atmosphere and gives the build a unique frontage. A total of 63 of these custom panels of varying sizes were used in the final facade. To achieve the product's ventilation objectives, 9.53 mm perforations were selected, resulting in panels that were 40% open and 60% solid. As well as sun shading, this product is great at allowing the circulation of natural light, and acting as a protective layer to shield the building from the weather.

3. The challenges

The vertical installation of the system was the biggest challenge facing all parties involved with the facade build.

Initially, one of the architect's fold details was designed in such a way that would have made it impossible for the fabricators (ATB Metal Fab) to fix the panels to the structure. Locker worked closely with ATB Metal Fab to devise a solution that involved reversing the fold while still retaining the original look the architect desired. Architectus was also heavily involved in these discussions, and this three-way communication was vital in getting the perfect product to site for installation.

Locker worked closely with the architect and fabricator to provide a facade solution that met the project brief.

4. The result

Looking at the Services Union building today, you would have no idea there was ever any degree of complexity in the design and installation. The differently sized perforated panels work seamlessly together to create a facade that's both head-turning and highly practical.

Both Architectus and ATB Metal Fab have expressed their pride in the finished facade, and the building certainly adds an exciting new dynamic to Brisbane's Peel Street. For Locker, the experience of taking on a highly nuanced project is not only rewarding when it comes to fruition, but is also a valuable learning experience for our team. Challenges such as this allow us to continue discovering ways of using existing products in new and innovative applications.

For more information on our products, or to enquire about working with Locker on an upcoming architectural or industrial project, get in touch with our team today, or check out our other case studies.

When it comes to impressions, there's nothing more important than a building's facade.

These frontages often perform multiple functions, and are made up of a number of features. Today, we're going to be exploring just one – cladding. We'll look at what cladding is, how it can be used and an example of this product in action.

Cladding can come in different materials, and performs a variety of functions.

What is cladding?

Think of cladding as a building's second skin. Fundamentally, it's a layer on top of exposed parts of a building (walls and roofs) that helps protect them against the elements.

Crucially, it is non-loadbearing, meaning that it doesn't support other parts of a facade, but rather exists to perform its own unique purposes. We'll explore these purposes in more detail later, but they can range from purely aesthetic to highly functional.

What's cladding made of?

It's important to realise that cladding isn't a set product. You can buy cladding in all shapes and sizes, and made from a variety of different materials. Among the most common are:

• Metal (especially lightweight element such as aluminium). 
• Wood
• Vinyl
• Brick
• Composite materials such as recycled polystyrene or certain blends of cement. 

Your choices here will be largely dictated by both the look you want, and the job you want the cladding to carry out: for example, brick is great as a fire retardant.

How is cladding installed?

In this article we're focussing on external cladding, though it's good to know that these materials can also be applied to the insides of your builds. Depending on the cladding product you choose, there are different facade installation methods. 

In the past, when Locker has produced aluminium cladding for commercial car parks, we've used a slab to slab technique. This works well because it eliminates the requirement for intermediate support for the cladding itself. Instead, we can simply lift cladding panels onto brackets that are fitted to the slab. We've found this to be both time and cost effective for our architectural clients!

Architects use cladding to improve the look or operation of their facades.

What are the uses of cladding?

1. Decoration

With such a variety of material to choose from, architects can use cladding to create interesting and unique effects on their facades, helping the building to stand out from the crowd. While you need to ensure that your aesthetic choices won't adversely impact the facade's practical performance, by experimenting with cladding you can add different colours or textures.

For example, a stainless steel cladding will give a structure a modern and polished look, while stone can give a more natural appeal or help a build blend in with its surroundings.

2. Insulation 

Environmental considerations have never been so important in Australian architecture. And, with more businesses and consumers switching on to the threat of climate change, the demand for green builds is only going to increase in years to come.

One of the best ways you can help your future projects stand up to this scrutiny, is to improve insulation. Properly insulated buildings are better at maintaining comfortable internal temperatures, meaning HVAC systems have to do less work, and therefore use less energy. 

By adding an extra layer to the outside of walls, cladding can help reduce airflow in and out of buildings. In summer, this reduces heat loading into a building, and in winter it allows your building to trap warm air and prevent it from escaping.

Cladding can help to insulate a building, improving its energy efficiency.

3. Fire resistance

Depending on chosen material, cladding can be important in protecting your building from the risk of fire. 

There's no innovative science behind this, you just need to select cladding fabricated from substance that doesn't combust easily. As your cladding sits over the building structure, if flames encounter a non-flammable substance first, it's going to take them longer to spread. 

From best to worst, here are the fire resistance rankings for some common cladding materials:

1. Brick – Excellent fire resistance.
2. Steel or cement planks/weatherboards – High fire resistance.
3. Aluminium and reconstituted timber products – Good fire resistance.
4. Timber weatherboard or plywood sheets – Poor fire resistance.

Following tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire in London, and near misses like Melbourne's Lacrosse Tower fire, it's important that architects keep on eye on changing regulations with regards to fire resistance and building cladding. The UK government has decided to replace combustible cladding on privately owned apartment blocks, and it's likely that Australian lawmakers will follow suit, according to the Australian Financial Review – so be sure to look for updates when planning your next project.

4. Weather protection 

The presence of an additional layer on top of a building can also help the structure resist weathering from wind and rain. This is is especially true if you select a corrosion resistant material such as aluminium. 

This metal naturally forms an oxide blanket when it reacts with the air, meaning that the element itself has a barrier to rust. While the cladding will need to be maintained, and occasionally replaced, this is much cheaper and less time consuming than conducting wholesale repairs to the building itself.

Metals such as aluminium and stainless steel are highly resistant to corrosion.

Cladding: A case study

Locker was called upon to provide cladding for the QE11 Medical Centre car park in Perth. This project had a number of nuances, which made it a unique challenge for our team:

1. The cladding had to meet BCA requirements of a 50% open area, but the designers wanted to ensure local residents weren't disturbed by car headlights.
2. The architect, Designinc, envisioned a scaled effect for the facade whereby each scale would face upwards, and redirect light to the sky.

To meet these requirements, Locker created a tailor-made product – Dragonscale™. This sheet has a 3D profile and retains its strength despite changes in shape and depth. This product was then fitted to the carpark facade using our slab to slab method, and provided the perfect solution to Designinc's needs.

If you want to find out more about what type of cladding is most suitable for your next project, or are seeking a customised product for your facade, the team at Locker is here to help.