Like spiny skin, perforated metal panels with triangular pullouts wrap around a parking deck at The Works mixed-use development in Atlanta. The enclosure is bright white on the majority of the exterior, except for the triangular pullouts and other places where the bright orange backside of the metal panels is visible.
Perforated panels with triangular pullouts create iconic exterior
Photo: Christy Lee, courtesy of Alfrex
Award judges praised the design for its vibrancy and exuberant expression that can only be done with metal. For its shimmering, three-dimensional design and outstanding construction, the panel recognized The Works parking deck project with a Judges Award.
Origami Inspiration
In terms of developing patterns for the perforations and triangular pullouts, Brian Whitfield, AIA, LEED AP, principal at Smith Dalia Architects LLC in Atlanta, says origami was one influence.
“We looked at origami for inspiration because of its characteristic of manipulating a single plane of material,” he says. “Our design was less complex in regard to the folds, but rooted in the same design approach. We explored how to bend the metal panels with a design that would animate the skin. The concept is really an overlay of a perforated geometric pattern and a parametric of folding panels. It is viewed differently depending on orientation and time of day.”
Two-toned Plate
To achieve Smith Dalia Architects’ design, the firm specified aluminum sheets are white on one side and orange on the second side. However, if perforated aluminum plate is post-painted in two different colors, there can be overspray. Also, if aluminum plate is fabricated after it’s painted, coatings can crack. The solution came in aluminum plate coated prior to fabrication in coatings that don’t pose a risk of cracking. Suwanee, Ga.-based Unience USA Inc. supplied its Alfrex 3-mm-thick pre-finished solid aluminum plate panels.
John Bilbrey, field operations manager at MillerClapperton in Austell, Ga., says, “Being able to run that through a paint line and not have any overspray was one of the first issues we had to deal with during the submittal phase of the project and research from the project management side. We came upon Alfrex and their ability to provide this two-sided plate material.”
The two-toned panels are one of the defining details in the design.
“The panels are two-toned, which helped illustrate the exposed folded fins within the panels,” Whitfield says. When we folded the panels, the color reveals itself in one direction, and in monolithic in the other. The white exterior plays with animated shadows throughout the day to portray a different aesthetic depending on the time. At night, we graze the screen with light, which highlights the fins in a very interesting way. The configuration of the fins in relation of the light source illuminates the outer edges of the folds and highlights the edges.”
Photo: Christy Lee, courtesy of Alfrex
Perforations and Triangular Pullouts
To produce the perforated panels with cutouts, Bilbrey says his company first ran the aluminum plate through a turret punch, then perforated it. “Then, we put it on our CNC machine to rout out the triangles that fold out and make that complete cut for where it needed to be completely separated from the panel. Then, we V-grooved the backside where it folds up, or folds out.”
Another detail that contributes to the look of the textured facades and the interplay of light and shadow is that the triangular pullouts vary in which side they pull out from.
“The triangles are folded to a 90-degree angle, but what makes them look different is the folds are on a diagonal, but they’re also folding opposite directions, opening down and to the left, and up and to the left,” Bilbrey says.
Panels were transported to the site flat, and then after they were installed on walls, installers folded the triangular pullouts out.
“Once everything is installed, our installers are able to just push it or pull it out from the panels,” Bilbrey says. “And then with just a square set up to the face of the panel, they fold it all the way until it hits that 90-degree angle.”
Blended Girts
In addition to the two-toned aluminum plate, perforations and triangular pullouts, another detail that plays a part in the overall appearance of the parking garage are camouflaged girts. Instead of using 18- or 16-gauge galvanized steel girts, MillerClapperton used the aluminum plate.
“Normally you see the contrast from the main color of the screen to the galvanized girt that is behind it supporting everything. In this case, we used the same material that the perforated panels are made from to actually support the panels themselves. We took the 3-mm plate that was pre-painted white and orange on the backside, and formed that into Z-girts and attached them to the steel tubes. So now, instead of seeing a white panel with a silver, galvanized girt running behind it, if you’re looking close enough at it, you see just a white girt that goes back behind there.”
Iconic Presence
Overall, The Works parking deck is an iconic anchor in the 80-acre development.
“The Works development is a creative mix of local retail, restaurants, and office,” Whitfield says. “Because of the high visibility, we needed to design a screen that could help brand the development and give a signature moment to the site. There is an overlay of artistic expression with sculptures and murals throughout to help activate the public space. We see the screen as an extension of that.”
Photo: Christy Lee, courtesy of Alfrex
