By David Zeitlin
ith millennials placing increased emphasis on design as a deciding factor in where they choose to live, multifamily housing developers are looking for distinct architectural features to stylize their projects in competitive apartment and condominium markets. One increasingly popular choice for enhancing the aesthetic qualities of a multifamily project is metal mesh. Until recently, manufacturers of mesh had not concentrated on the multifamily and residential construction categories, as concepts of metal mesh did not seem to fit the typical aesthetic or budget. But as costs became more comparable to other façade materials such as perforated metal panels and louver systems, their engagement of these markets has increased. Likewise, architects have begun to embrace the unique combination of material depth and limited structural requirements that woven metal fabric systems provide. Multifamily designers are discovering that metal mesh offers flexibility in form and shape that helps them to realize more complex design objectives while working within realistic cost points. There is also the opportunity to brand and use mesh as a pallet where logos, lettering, illustrations and designs can be prominently featured. This is an added value that owners can realize with metal mesh façade designs.
SEPTEMBER : OCTOBER 2018 — COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION
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