Solar Metal Mesh Shading System

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University of Arizona

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System: Solucent
Attachment Method: Custom
Metal Fabric Pattern: Shade

Project: University of Arizona Medical Research Building & Thomas Keating Bioresearch Building
Location: Tucson, AZ
Architect: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership-Los Angeles, CA
Facility Owner: University of Arizona
Facility End Use: Canopy-style Ramada shading structure interconnecting the two buildings
Expected Completion Date: Summer 2006
Renovation or New Construction: New Construction

Project Details: Located between University of Arizona’s new Medical Research Building and Thomas Keating Bioresearch Building, both also under construction, is a large courtyard featuring a striking 300-ft. long, 87-ft. tall steel shade structure.

The canopy-style Ramada was created using a Cambridge Architectural Solucent mesh system consisting of 240, 4-ft. wide by up to 37-ft. long, stainless steel metal fabric panels, stretched between stainless steel cables. The functional and aesthetically pleasing Ramada was designed to provide shade from the Arizona summer sun.

Cambridge’s Shade metal fabric pattern and custom Railway attachment hardware create the Solucent mesh system, which features 43 % open area. This design assures maximum sun blockage while allowing air to pass between the panels.

The entire structure consists of 12 major trusses up to 180-ft. long and 24-ft. deep, weighing 40,000-lbs. each, and was fabricated and pre-painted prior to beginning field erection. The two new buildings are interconnected on each of their five levels to maximize space and reduce cost. Both buildings share the exterior courtyard space.

Architect: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership
Location: Los Angeles, CA

General Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Location: Tucson, AZ

Cambridge Architectural Distributor/Installer: T.A. Caid Industries
Location: Tucson, AZ

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