Boston 743A, a square woven mesh from Locker Group was used to create a canopy structure during the refurbishment of a heritage building located on Lonsdale Street in Melbourne.
SJB Architects designed a canopy for the heritage building, with high visibility being an important requirement. The original design consisted of a mixed arrangement of small and large aperture woven panels manufactured in brass. It was meant to be robust, yet fine enough to allow high visibility.
With this brief in mind, Kubic Constructions set out to create the canopy structure with Ronstan called in to provide a minimal framework solution, which resulted in a tensioned cable system. Locker Group worked closely with SJB, providing samples to add physicality to the design at the concept stage. As the project evolved, it became clear that a singular aperture design would create a more consistent visual aesthetic.
The use of brass was not practical for this application, given the complexity of the installation process. However, Locker Group was able to create the perfect solution, without compromising the design requirements.
Locker Group’s Boston 743A, a square woven mesh with a 17mm aperture made from 4mm diameter wire was specified for the canopy. The mesh provided a high percentage of open area; additionally, its aluminium construction delivered structural integrity, addressing the initial brief requirements. A gold anodised finish from AAF gave the mesh a brass appearance without any of the weight issues associated with real brass, thereby simplifying handling and installation.
Image: Photography - Rob Burnett, Brent Robinson
