Banker Wire Provides Innovative Functionality With Unique Architectural Wire Mesh To LEED-Winning Construction Project

MUKWONAGO, WI—JUNE 7, 2012—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 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.

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About Banker Wire
Banker Wire is the world’s leading manufacturer of woven and welded wire mesh for architectural and industrial applications. With the most modern and productive mill in the U.S., Banker Wire provides custom-weaved material for any aesthetic on any scale – from intricate design highlights to expansive building facades. Founded in 1896, Banker Wire’s manufacturing expertise has been refined for more than a century, bringing unmatched customization, quality, and service to customers. State-of-the-art grid welding equipment provide a wide variety of wire alloy, spacing and diameter configurations, trimmed or untrimmed. For more information visit https://www.bankerwire.com.

About Architectural Woven Wire Mesh
Pre-crimped woven wire mesh is constructed of individual wires that are crimped prior to being woven together on a loom. Pre-crimping the wires provides a much higher degree of control during the weaving process. This allows for far more intricate and interesting patterns, as well as unique customization, to meet the vision of the designer. Banker Wire has refined and innovated its crimping process more than any other manufacturer, delivering more than 8,000 different spacing, diameter, and crimp combinations, plus endless customization options. As a result, Banker can make any woven wire mesh pattern imaginable – manufactured to specify for any project type.

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