Steel Wall

Another interesting yet simple project (idea wise).
It comprises a series of large planes mechanically attached to a steel frame.
We get a giant louvre system that becomes a graphic system of walls for an enclosed indoor/outdoor space.
Finished project is to be shipped off to Hawaii for architect Craig Steely.

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Cafe Gratitude

We are working on some items for a new Cafe Gratitude related project. Here are some custom steel panels we just finished. Custom steel channel with perforated steel sheet.

Landings complete!

The landings went in and look great! They were heavy pieces of steel to maneuver, but the result was worth it.
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Details

Just thought we should post some context shots of the installation location (Lafayette Public Library), and some closeups of the bracket connections.
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Public Art Installed!

Kana's install went real smooth (well except for the massive amount of rain on one of the days).

So here we see the web of stainless steel bar suspended above head height. It supports custom machined (by us of course) stainless steel brackets that attach to the rod and hold via compression the circular dichroic glass graphic elements. The dichroic glass truly does create interesting dynamic shadows on the ground and walls as the sun moves across the sky.

Here you can also see a few of the powder coated steel holders with cast glass pieces inside them. They are located at the columns, and along the short wood clad concrete wall.

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Steel for landings.

The custom perforated 3/8" steel plate looks interesting with the hole pattern. The holes where machine punched and need no cleaning. The sun passing through the holes creates an interesting pattern underneath the sheets, and it will be interesting to see how that interacts on site. The big sheet weighs about 900 lbs.

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Public Art

Kana Tanaka's project is wrapping up.
An organic element in the mix.
This weaving organic pattern was made up from stainless steel bar that was hand bent and then welded at the intersections. It will hold custom made stainless steel brackets that will then hold dichroic glass elements.

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Deja Vu

Remember that steel structural frame we were working on a while back......probably not.
The main Frame went in a while ago, now the landing supports are going in. It's for architect Craig Steely's project in San Francisco.
It's looking really good.

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Some color

We are often asked to help out in terms of technical and fabrication issues on Artist installations. Sometimes it just needs some UrbanLab Design expertise to realize the full potential of the Artist's ideas and drawings.
Here are some pieces for glass artist Kana Tanaka that required our knowledge. They are custom machined and lazercut steel elements that are going to be embedded in a concrete wall and hold graphic glass pieces in Lafayette. Finish is powdercoated.

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Steel Facade is in...

The facade went in very smoothly. Here is a quick image of the unit installed. The glass panels will be going in soon (plywood panels are temporary). More pics soon.

It's in the Details

What makes our designs and fabrications successful in the end comes down to the details that are sometimes hidden or clearly visible. They are project makers or breakers... and we make them really, really good...

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Facade Progress

The glass stops are in, lockset area is refined, and final edges and welds cleaned-up.

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Marin Door Install

The door has been painted on site, and Danny proceeds with the install. Notice the continuous piano hinge ( it's a HEAVY door). Next, glazing.....
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Details...Details... Modern Steel Facade

The small nuances and details start taking shape. Louvers, lockset details, and door bell integration all are meticulously studied and refined.
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Steel Door

This door is almost done. It is part of the Modern Steel Facade going into the Marin Residence. It will be painted and glazed on site.
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Modern Steel Facade

Layout and tacking of the pieces to a modern facade going into a Marin Residence.
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Testing connections and loading up

The structural steel frame is ready to be test assembled. Everything fits perfect. Steel is loaded for galvanizing after which it will be delivered to the site.
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Big Frame

We were hired to build a large structural frame for a residential project in San Francisco. Here the steel is being prepped for assembly.
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