The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library at New York University in New York City was designed by renowned architects Philip Johnson and Richard Foster in the early 1970s, but it has been the scene of three suicides since 2003-even after the installation of 8-foot polycarbonate barriers. Joel Sanders, design principal of Joel Sanders Architect, New York City, devised a suicide-prevention screen that both fulfilled its primary duty and provided a dynamic presence to the 150-foot atrium area of the library.
Around all sides of the atrium, crews placed perforated aluminum screens that had been coated with 70 percent Kynar Gold Metallic from Arkema Inc., Philadelphia, and cut into non-repeating patterns that allowed light to penetrate the interior but prevented access.
Mike P. McGrath is president of MG McGrath, Maplewood, Minn., and his company did the fabrication and installation of the screens. “The screen has five patterns that repeat through each elevation,” he says. “It is almost impossible to pick up the pattern. The south elevation has the smallest openness percentage. The east and west elevations are mirror images of each and have more open than the south elevation, and the north is the most open.”
The screens are 0.25-inch-thick aluminum panels that were coated by Crystal Finishing, Schofield, Wis. MG McGrath used a water jet in a direct to fabrication process from the CATIA model. Each panel was approximately 19 by 5 feet and weighed 185 pounds. 
McGrath explains that the biggest obstacle to overcome was the time frame for construction. The library was only available from June 1 to August 1 and all work had to be performed at night. The company used three hoists; staging material in the center of the atrium.
Panels were installed on a custom aluminum tube/mullion that fastened to the floor below the carpet and a floating clip that is concealed in the plaster soffit. The floating clips allow the floors to deflect under live loads. Each panel is fastened with a tamperproof fastener.
The screens have been variously described as draped lace or theatrical scrim.
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, New York University, New York City
Completed: August, 2012
Building owner: New York University
Architect: Joel Sanders Architect, www.joelsandersarchitect.com
Metal screen fabricator/installer: MG McGrath, Maplewood, Minn., www.mgmcgrath.com
Metal screen coater: Crystal Finishing, Schofield, Wis., www.crystalfinishing.com
Metal screen coating: Arkema Inc., King of Prussia, Pa., www.arkema-inc.com
Metal screen coating: Arkema Inc., King of Prussia, Pa., www.arkema-inc.com
