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Retailer Louis Vuitton’s Diamond Screen Design Finds New Expression as a Dynamic Perforated Metal Façade for its New Miami Store
Bringing Louis Vuitton’s menswear store in Miami to life is a Marcel Wanders’ designed sculptural façade created with 5,000 square feet of perforated aluminum.
As the French luxury brand’s second free-standing store after Toyko, the new 3,500 square foot destination in the heart of Miami’s Design District is the Metal Construction Association first place Design Award winner in the ornamental category.
Offering some history on the international designer’s original “Diamond Screen” motif which the façade design is based on, Marcel Wanders Design Studio’s Creative Director Gabriele Chiave explained to Dezeen Contributing Editor Jenna McNight that the original hexagonal-shaped module was taken from the leather straps of the high-end retailer’s iconic bags.
While the Diamond Screen design has been used as a room divider in a number of Louis Vuitton stores, its application as a large-scale architectural façade is a first.
The perforated white lattice façade incorporates the signature Louis Vuitton monogram and protruding geometrical boxes, which create a dynamic frontage wrapping around the corner of the building. A 30-centimeter gap between the metal screen and the building’s exterior wall presents a dynamic expression of light and shadow.
“When sunlight hits the building, the shadow of the metal facade drops into the wall, creating a shadow effect of the pattern,” said Chiave. “This shadow creates a beautiful illusion of depth, or a second skin.”
At night, the interior light emanating from the store adds another layer of depth to the three-dimensional façade.
Due to the latticework’s perforated nature, the right material was required to pull off the design. As explained by Alison Gladkowski, a marketing specialist with McGrath in the company’s 2022 MCA Design Award application, perforations inherently weaken a material as pieces are punched out of a larger section and held together by a smaller surface area. Consequently, the selected material had to be strong enough to hold its shape and stability in addition to withstanding Florida’s corrosive costal weather.
“Metal was selected for this project because of the strength, durability, and customization options of the material,” said Gladkowski. “Metal was also a great choice because it mixed well with the other material textures of the building which included brick, leather, paint, and strategic back-lighting.”
MG McGrath fabricated and installed the perforated metal, finished in “Simply White” Kynar to blend in with Miami’s modernist architectural style. The plate panels were cut in-house on a 4,000 watt CNC fiber-optic laser to produce the one-of-a-kind design. MG McGrath also installed tracks for the facade backlighting and stainless-steel accent pieces. The entire installation took less than three months.
The boutique’s interior features exposed concrete, work from local artists, and blue leather handrails complimenting the retail displays of luxury bags, leather goods shoes, watches, jewelry, accessories, and more.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND METALCON?
Metal building, residential and roofing contractors, architects, engineers, developers, facility managers, fabricators and building owners from the US and abroad. Attend because it’s the only show of its kind in the world!
http://www.metaconstruction.org/metalcon
METALCON: OCTOBER 14-16, 2015 | TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER 
Metal Construction Highlights: Las Vegas Edition
Las Vegas
By: John Ryan, Metal Construction Association
I’m getting ready to head to Las Vegas next week for the International Roofing Expo. I have to admit, I’m excited. Believe it or not (and most do not), I’ve never been to Las Vegas.
There’s no doubt that most of my time will be spent within the concrete walls of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center manning the Metal Construction Association (MCA) booth (booth #2143–stop by to say hello!), but I am looking forward to exploring the sights and sounds of Las Vegas.
One thing I always try to do before I travel to a new city for business is scope out some architectural highlights to visit. And since I work for MCA, I admit that I am always looking for real-life examples of metal construction.
Here are a few examples of metal roofs and walls that I plan to see while in Las Vegas. Feel free to let us know what your favorites are!
McCarran International Airport
I won’t have to wait long to see an example of metal construction after touching down in Las Vegas–the McCarran International Airport recently completed an expansion project that featured Alucobond Plus metal composite material (MCM) panels from 3A Composites.
The Terminal 3 parking garage also features metal wall panels: Reynobond aluminum MCM panels from Alcoa. I’m sure the airport won’t be the most exciting part of my stay in Las Vegas, but the metal cladding will at least give me reason for pause at the airport.
The D Casino
After a long day on the convention center floor manning the MCA booth, I can usually be found enjoying a quiet meal and catching up on e-mails back in my hotel room. But Las Vegas is all about the casinos, so I am sure I will venture into a casino or two at some point during the week. Why not try my luck with the one-armed bandits at The D Casino in downtown Las Vegas, which sports a new, metal-clad entrance from Petersen Aluminum? I’m looking forward to walking the strip–and I understand it is a long walk– to see the impressive architecture of the casinos. The over-the-top extravagance and grandiose resorts should serve as a not-so-subtle reminder that the odds are not in my favor for a big payday!
Downtown Container Park
Las Vegas isn’t all casinos, glitz and glamor–there is plenty for families to do and enjoy. Even though my family won’t be traveling with me, I plan to check out the Downtown Container Park for some shopping and dining. It’s located away from the main strip on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. It’s just what it sounds like–a park and shopping center crafted from shipping containers. Architects and designers are finding new ways to utilize old shipping containers as structures, and this project reminds me of one of MCA’s 2012 Chairman’s Award Winners that also features shipping containers.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
And if I feel the need for speed, perhaps I will make my way over to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Even though the speedway’s NASCAR weekend events won’t be until the first week of March, it may be worth a quick visit to check out the exterior since it is clad in Centria’s Formawall insulated metal panels.
Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Designed by esteemed architect Frank Gehry, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (pictured at the top of this blog post) is a national resource for research and treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s Diseases, Multiple Sclerosis and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). While the design of the building has been a lightning rod for both praise and criticism, the important work being done within the stainless-steel clad walls is what’s most important.
Let us know if you have any other recommendations for Las Vegas architectural highlights. And if you are at the IRE show, we hope you will stop by the MCA booth–as well as our member’s booths–to say hello and learn about the many benefits of metal roofing.
Five of Our Favorite Haunted Buildings
By: John Ryan, Metal Construction Association
We’re getting in the Halloween spirit here at Metal Construction Association, and we’ve found some fun lists of the most haunted places. But we thought we would put our own spin on putting together a list of haunted places: the top five haunted places with metal roofs!
- Mount Washington Resort – This elaborate Bretton Woods, NH hotel–with its distinctive red metal roof–opened in 1902 and is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Carolyn Stickney, the widow of the hotel’s original owner. According to legend, caretakers have sighted the ghost of Mrs. Stickney descending stairs and switching lights on and off.
- Beetle Juice House – This fictional home from the film Beetle Juice is the setting of the 1980’s classic horror/comdedy movie starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis. The home, which played a central role in the film, featured a white standing seam metal roof before and after the garish renovation that irked the recently-departed owners.
The Tower of London - Tower of London – The tower, one of the most famous landmarks in London for almost 1,000 years, has no shortage of alleged hauntings. Perhaps the most famous ghost thought to reside in the tower is the spirit of Ann Boleyn, a wife of Henry VIII who was behaded in the tower in 1536. The tower’s lead roof has helped the structure survive more than nine centuries, though lead roofs are no longer commonplace for obvious reasons.
Private Residence, Quitman, AR - Quitman, AR Residence – This turn-of-the-century victorian house that features a striking metal roof went on the market in 2012, and was marketed as having a “friendly” paranormal presence. Previous owners and visitors reported more disturbing happenings, but the most recent owner claims to have had minimal interruption.
The Dominion Building, Vancouver, CA - The Dominion Building – This Vancouver, Canada building, completed in 1909, features a mansard roof made of metal. The building is said to be haunted by the architect, John Helyer, who is rumored to have fallen to have fallen to his death when the building was opened. This has been dispelled as myth, but many report hearing his steps in the stairway.
We hope you’ve had a little fun with our twist on a list of favorite haunted buildings. Have a happy Halloween!
High School Football Stadium, Texas Style
By Jane Martinsons, Metal Construction Association
Sure, everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes a high school football stadium so grand and high-budget that it garnered national attention last year. The $60 million Allen High School football stadium, located in the fast-growing Dallas suburb of Allen, TX, features many architectural bells and whistles, including concrete seats for 18,000, a towering upper deck, a spacious weight room, and practice areas for the school’s wrestling and golf teams. With its 100,000 square feet of metal composite material (MCM) panels, the structure looks more like a college stadium.
According to Zeke Miller, President , The Miller-Clapperton Partnership, Inc. @thepanelguys, Austell, GA, metal is a natural fit for stadiums of all types. “Obviously this project is like a dream assignment, where certain features lend pizzazz, and MCM panels fit the bill.” He adds that MCM panels are the modern day sheet metal because they do not oil can, are low maintenance and durable, and provide design flexibility. The paneling itself can be clad with decorative metal, which is perfect for all stadiums.
The only drawback to stadium projects is that there is no messing around with deadlines, Miller says, because the football season always begins on schedule. Miller-Clapperton, whose projects include the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida, is currently hoping that his MCM panels will be incorporated into the design of the new Atlanta Falcons Stadium that is scheduled to open for the 2017 NFL season.
Since the stadium opened in August 2012, Allen High School’s Eagles football team hasn’t lost a single home game, but Miller resists attributing the streak to anything associated with the stadium’s metal composite paneling. Still, with all the publicity surrounding the “most expensive high school stadium in America,” Miller says that he kind of wishes that the stadium was better known for its panels rather than the other way around.
In Atlanta, Grab a Moment of Zinc
By: Jane Martinsons, Metal Construction Association
While in Atlanta attending METALCON on Oct 1–3, you may want to check out the recently renovated and expanded Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church. The sanctuary’s new roof features flat lock zinc panels by Umicore Building Products USA., Inc., to help bridge the existing building’s mid-century architecture and its modern chapel features.
According to project architect Bob Balke of TVS Design, Atlanta, zinc was selected to replace an existing asphalt shingle roof because of its longevity and clean, authentic appearance. As one of the few metals to naturally develop a protective patina, zinc also
• promotes a lengthy structural lifespan through its ability to withstand harsh elements
• “self-heals” imperfections, which keeps the metal looking better longer
• is recyclable at the end of its useful life.
While there, be sure to note the complex roof slopes and valleys, and gutters at the prow of the roof. (Zinc gutters formed by using masked stainless steel clips conceal the gutter system.) Other notable features include the sanctuary’s exposed steel structure, structural red oak wood in the decking and ceiling, an aluminum veneer curtain wall system, and a continuous ribbon vaulted skylight.
Once inspired, it’s time to head back to the show to network with colleagues and learn more about the latest in metal. See you there!
Immerse Yourself in Metal at the Georgia Aquarium
After you’ve seen the latest in metal products at METALCON on Oct. 1-3 in Atlanta (stopping by to visit MCA in booth 1553, of course), come see how metal enhances the physical environment of all members of the ecosystem, from people to sea life.
Opened in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the world’s largest aquarium. It holds more than 8 million gallons of water and is home to more than 100,000 sea animals.
Designed by Atlanta-based architecture firm Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, the firm says its design “combines a unique exterior profile for the Aquarium with an interior concept that strives to give visitors the sensation of visiting an underwater world.”
Metal was a key component in bringing this underwater world to life. The building’s exterior uses metal panels to recreate the appearance of a ship’s hull. The building uses 50,000 sq. ft. of 3A Composite’s Alucobond metal composite panels. The “ship” features approximately 3,600, 4-mm-thick panels in platinum, silver metallic and custom three-coat blue metallic colors.
The aquarium features six regular exhibits—Cold Water Quest, Ocean Voyager, Tropical Diver, Georgia Explorer, Dolphin Tales and River Scout—and a special exhibit, Sea Monsters Revealed: Aquatic Bodies opens September 27.
Attend METALCON first and then wade into the metal application of Georgia Aquarium.
For more information about METALCON visit www.metalcon.com.
The Mighty Georgia Dome–Only Steps Away from METALCON
Step outside the Georgia World Congress Center when you attend METALCON International in Atlanta next month, and you can’t miss noticing a prime example of metal’s strength and beauty in building design.
Located across the park plaza from the convention center, the Georgia Dome stands mighty as the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world. The 290-ft.-high roof is composed of 130 Teflon-coated fiberglass panels covering 8.6 acres. The roof’s supporting cable totals 11.1 miles, and the Dome is as tall as a 27-story building, according to the Georgia Dome website.
Of note to MCA members, the Georgia Dome features CENTRIA’s Formawall Dimension Series and Profile Series Exposed Fastener Panels.
Opened in 1992, the Georgia Dome took center stage at the 1996 Olympic games as the setting for gymnastics and basketball events. Home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Georgia State Panthers football teams, the Georgia Dome also recently hosted the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball tournament in April this year.
METALCON will be take place Oct. 1-3. For a look at the Georgia Dome in action, book your METALCON travel to Atlanta a few days early. The Falcons play the New England Patriots September 29th in this awe-inspiring stadium. The Dome also offers individual and group tours if you don’t have time for a game.
For more information about METALCON, visit www.metalcon.com.
We hope to see you in Atlanta!
Metal Construction in Denver: Denver Police Crime Lab
By: John Ryan, Metal Construction Association
We’re heading to Denver tomorrow for the 2013 AIA National Convention, and we are excited to see all of the beautiful architecture that Denver has to offer, metal or otherwise. We’re sure we’ll be spending a lot of time the Denver International Airport and the recently expanded Colorado Convention Center, and we’ll be walking the city to take in sites like Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium and the Denver Art Museum.
One place we also want to see–though we hope that it is on our own timeframe and not for an extended visit–is the Denver Police Crime Lab. This 60,000 sq. ft. facility opened in 2012, and houses nine crime forensic units. While we are fans of the numerous iterations of the CSI: Crime Scene Investigators TV series, we’ll be checking it out to admire the 30,000 sq. feet of Reynobond® aluminum composite panels in six different colors.
We hope you’ll stop by to visit us at the 2013 AIA National Convention; MCA will be in booth 1303. If you aren’t able to participate in Scott Kriner’s seminar this week: “Metal Roofing: The Perfect Platform for Solar Technologies,” Scott and MCA staff will be in the booth over the course of the show and will be happy to answer any metal construction questions. And of course you can take the course (and others) via MCA’s monthly webinar series.
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