Jacobs Hall - UC Berkeley

It’s only fitting that a university building with multiple practices under one roof is employing the use of versatile woven wire mesh, manufactured by Banker Wire.

Banker’s mesh provides strong infill material that also meets the architect’s design intent for exterior stair and pedestrian bridge railings at the new Jacobs Hall on the University of California, Berkeley campus. The three-story, 24,000-square-foot building houses design studios, equipment labs, classrooms, and community space.

The search for the ideal infill material for the exterior railings stopped with Banker Wire. Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects (LMSA) considered a wide range of functionality and design options, and Banker delivered on every one.

“We are very happy with Banker Wire’s material – in regard to both looks and performance,” says Ryan Jang, Senior Associate with LMSA. “It is robust enough for a structurally-sound, high-traffic railing infill, but also semi-transparent to satisfy an elegant design.”

The woven wire mesh pattern that Banker Wire manufactured for Jacobs Hall was M13Z-145– a large-scale, three-wire, rigid cable pattern modeled after traditional European designs.

M13Z-145 features a long aspect ratio that clearly differentiates the vertical wires from the horizontal wires. It boasts strength first and foremost, but is also available in endless variations and finishes. LMSA specified a stainless steel finish for Jacobs Hall because of its striking appearance and proven durability.

“Banker provided a lot of good options to find just the right pattern to achieve our goals,” adds Jang.

The result is several sophisticated, yet sound exterior railings that were custom-built for a public institution setting. They help to physically connect Jacobs Hall with both Soda Hall and Etcheverry Hall.

The Jacobs Hall project team included owner University of California, Berkeley; architect Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, San Francisco, CA; general contractor Hathaway Dinwiddie, San Francisco, CA; and steel fabricator Lee’s Imperial Welding, Fremont, CA.

What is Woven Wire Mesh?

Woven wire mesh is a grid of intersecting metal wires that produces a specific pattern, used for architectural design and industrial applications. It offers excellent performance and aesthetics because it is pre-crimped – its wires are shaped-to-fit before they are woven together, providing superior stability and consistency. Banker Wire has refined and innovated its crimping process more than any other manufacturer, delivering more than 8,000 different spacing, diameter, and crimp combinations, plus endless customization options. As a result, Banker can make any woven wire mesh pattern imaginable – manufactured to spec for any project type.

For more images and information about Banker Wire’s M13Z-145 mesh pattern, visit:http://bankerwire.com/products/m13z-145. 
About Banker Wire: Banker Wire is the world’s leading manufacturer of woven and welded wire mesh for architectural and industrial applications. With the most modern and productive mill in the U.S., Banker Wire provides custom-weaved material for any aesthetic on any scale – from intricate design highlights to expansive building facades. Banker Wire’s investment in its people and equipment provides its customers with innovative and value-based products that solve problems and exceed expectations. For more information, call 1-800-523-6772 or visit www.bankerwire.com.