Commercial Architecture June 2017 - 58

exteriors

PROJECT

The recent installation of a large
screen on a building façade at the
Cleveland Institute of Art offers a
creative outlet for students.

Digital Façades Rework Academic Buildings
Academic buildings on both sides of the Atlantic are turned
into contemporary media showcases.

A

stainless-steel, wire-mesh façade interwoven

quences created by students. A Mediamesh transparent

stall the material with minimal disruption to the students

with LED lights has transformed two academ-

media façade was ultimately selected and provides unhin-

and faculty." In addition to the display, GKD manufac-

ic buildings, one in Cleveland, OH, the other

dered views of the outside surroundings from the build-

tured and installed the steel framework that supports the

in Copenhagen, Denmark, into contemporary showcas-

ing's interior. Moreover, it allows daylight to penetrate the

fabric as well as the electrical wiring.

es for digital media.

façade, providing natural light for occupants.

One of the most interesting elements of the display

Originally founded in 1882 as the Western Reserve

One of the project's biggest challenges was installing

was the engineering challenge faced when installing the

School of Design for Women, the Cleveland Institute of

the façade while school was in session. The installation

display on a movable building. The building was original-

Art (CIA) is now one of America's leading art and design

team was cautious, ensuring occupant protection was in

ly a Ford assembly plant until purchased by the Institute

academies. In a complex expansion project spanning two

place throughout the process. Another challenge was the

in 1981. The building features movable floor slabs that

years, the George Gund building was joined to the Joseph

project's site. Located on an active roadway, it created lim-

once allowed the Ford Model T's access to the train tracks

McCullough Center for the Visual Arts and now forms a

ited site access and a small working area. GKD installers

behind the structure. With the building's movable fea-

single entity. The recent installation of the large GKD,

were able to work with the material without damaging the

tures, the display is supported by top anchors to let the

Cambridge, MD, Mediamesh screen on the façade of the

product or disrupting the students.

building retain its original, signature style. The engineers

new building offers a creative outlet for up-and-coming
artists while transforming the historical building.

According to Mike Leonard, GKD's technical director

overcame the challenge by creating dead-load anchors at

for Mediamesh, "The material was shipped on site as

the top of the building that hold the weight of the display.

The university worked closely with the architects at

needed, so no site storage was required. This was essential

Leonard added that GKD was specified because of the

Stantec, Cleveland, who sought a contemporary form of

when working with limited site access. We also worked off

transparent nature of Mediamesh since it was going to be

digital media to display graphics, photos, and video se-

hours to avoid student testing times. Our goal was to in-

used over glazing. As the building evolved, a large portion

58

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

JUNE 2017

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