GKD Collaborator and Brand Champion Dominique Perrault Headlines Facades+
Visionary architect and city planner Dominique Perrault headlined Facades+ NYC earlier this month, serving as the event’s opening keynote speaker. As the leading conference on the performance and design of building envelopes, Facades+ is a unique crossover event that attracts professionals from the fields of architecture, engineering, construction, fabrication, development and education.
Perrault is a frequent GKD collaborator and a familiar face to those who know and specify our brand. He is credited with discovering metal mesh for façade and building envelope applications, and has used the material as a signature element in his design for more than 20 years.
As opening keynote speaker, he dissected the important role that metal mesh plays in delivering ideal optical and functional properties for a variety of building façades. In addition, Perrault discussed his longtime relationship with GKD, including his design of GKD-USA’s headquarters in Cambridge, MD. As the leading manufacturer of architectural stainless steel mesh and woven metal fabrics, we owe a large amount of gratitude to Perrault for believing in our company and products.
Beyond the keynote address, Perrault and GKD offered opportunities for members of the A&D community to interact with the legendary architect, while learning more about the metal mesh and fabric products he has used throughout his career.
We exhibited our wide range of metal mesh for a variety of A&D applications. Renowned for their aesthetic appeal and practicality, these products provide a host of benefits for a variety of architects and designers working in both commercial and residential spheres.
Event attendees who visited the GKD booth also had the unique opportunity to order a special-edition Dominique Perrault materials kit. Dubbed the “Dominique Perrault Collection,” this free sample kit includes metal weaves used in Dominique Perrault projects around the world. Samples included:
Project: European Court of Justice
The golden veil of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg is the structural highlight of this grand courtroom. A translucent suspended ceiling’ with a golden shimmer formed from 40 trapezoid-shaped bronze anodized Escale fabric panels, creates a contemporary interpretation of the classic dome.
Sambesi PC, Omega 1520 & Baltic
Project: National Library of France
In this pioneering project from the 1990’s, Dominique Perrault used GKD metal fabrics to great advantage. He suspended flexible Sambesi from the ceiling to create a wave effect; he has used Omega as sunshading panels; he allowed the fabric to drape and cascade; and in other instances, he has relied on its rigid properties to serve more traditional architectural purposes.
Delta 16, Lago, Omega 216 & Square
Project: GKD North America Headquarters
GKD’s North American headquarters, recipient of a “2005 AIA Maryland Design Award,” features metal fabric façades and tiled, draped and framed ceilings. The energy-efficient facility also receives the benefits of sunshading, natural lighting and natural ventilation.
Futura 3110
Project: Swimming Stadiums
Perrault’s brilliant athletic facilities on the outskirts of Berlin, largely hidden below a surrounding berm, appear to shimmer like silver lakes on the horizon. This illusion is forged by cladding each building’s roof and walls with layers of stainless steel Futura. Futura’s open-weave design also allows natural light to fill both stadiums.
Omega 1510
Project: Innsbruck Town Hall Gallery
The Town Hall Gallery in Innsbruck, Austria is a modern administrative center in the heart of the city with galleries, shops, a congress hotel and restaurants surrounded by extensive gardens. 78 horizontally moveable Omega 1510 panels provide sunshading and privacy for the hotel, and help create a contemporary masterpiece in a classic European city.
To get your own sample kit, or to order other materials outside of the Dominique Perrault Collection, please contact us or visit our website. Happy designing!
About Dominique Perrault
Dominique Perrault is a French architect and urban planner. He became world known for the design of the French National Library, distinguished with the Silver medal for town planning in 1992 and the Mies van der Rohe Prize in 1996. In 2010 he was awarded the gold medal by the French Academy of Architecture for all his work. He was named as the 2015 Praemium Imperiale Laureate for Architecture. Most recently, Perrault took his place among the eight lifetime members of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. He currently heads Dominique Perrault Architecture (DPA) in Paris.
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