MILWAUKEE — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 2, 2011 — When the architectural firm FortyEighty Architecture, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began designing The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College and Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania they were seeking innovative functionality for the project located at the primary vehicular entrance to the college. They turned to Banker Wire, the premier manufacturer of pre-crimped, woven wire fabrics in North America for one important aspect.
The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College and Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania included architectural wire mesh from Banker Wire in its award-winning design. Photo by Kent Suhrbier, FortyEighty Architecture. Photo rights are held by FortyEighty Architecture.
The design called for a material that would be a safety railing for a second-level, exterior mezzanine while acting as an effective sun screen to combat the sun’s rays at high angles of incidence for lower level classrooms. And, it needed to be attractive.
“The design for the Fred Rogers Center includes a single element that creates both a balcony railing and light diffusing sunshade below. The Banker Wire woven mesh panels offered the desired detail and texture while providing the strength and durability required,” said Deborah Clark, project manager, FortyEighty Architecture.
Banker Wire provided their M13Z-345 architectural wire mesh for its strength, effective sun screening ability and aesthetics. One of the determining characteristics of the selected mesh was its triple Shute weave offering a unique pattern, texture of long aspect ratio and the heavy "bands" of the triple wire weave.
The project was awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification under the United States Green Building Council (USGBC); Commonwealth Awards Bronze Award from 10,000 Friends of PA, State of Pennsylvania; Smart Growth Award from Westmorland County, Pennsylvania; Green Design Citation from American Institute of Architects (AIA), Pittsburgh Chapter; and Certificate of Merit from American Institute of Architects (AIA), Pittsburgh Chapter.
Banker Wire has the most modern and productive pre-crimped, wire mesh mill in the country. The Banker fabrication department offers a full list of value-added processes including an extensive range of woven and welded wire mesh cut to size, formed, welded, or framed with state-of-the-art grid welding equipment. An infinite number of spacing and diameter configurations, trimmed or untrimmed, are available to meet the demands of many diverse industries. Banker Wire recently introduced several new lines of woven wire mesh.
Banker Wire is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based leading manufacturer of pre-crimped woven wire fabrics for North American architectural and industrial applications. Banker Wire Architecture creates custom commercial and residential interior and exterior metal applications. Banker Wire Industrial creates and fabricates to precise client specifications aggregate screening, test sieve cloth, water screens, guard screens and other metal needs for agricultural, automotive, heat treating, guard screens, and detention and security applications. Industries served by Banker Wire include, but are not limited to, construction, architecture, manufacturing, retail, signage, and public and rail transportation. For more information visit www.bankerwire.com or call 800-523-6772.
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Contact:
Banker Wire
Harrison Horan, 262-363-6126