Award-winning interior design with metal mesh in historic building

The ‘Omega’ metal mesh 1510 made of stainless steel and bronze creates a special architectural backdrop in the chapel of the Allen & Jeannette Early Center for Christian Education and Worship in Richmond, Virginia. The mesh creates a warm and effective atmosphere, serves as a balustrade and fall guard protection on the balconies and also acts as solar protection.

International prize for interior design

The place of worship is part of the Union Presbyterian Seminary Richmond Campus and is located in a historic building from 1897. Following relocation of the library housed there, architects Glavé & Holmes were commissioned to redesign the currently unused building into an ultra-modern establishment for Christian teachings and prayer. The ASID Virginia / International Interior Design Association presented them with its Interior Design Excellence Award for the new interior design.

While the exterior façade essentially remained unchanged, the interior design now features the overlaying of materials, cantilevered floors and moveable walls for maximum flexibility.

Metal mesh made of stainless steel and bronze

The redesign of the chapel was at the heart of the comprehensive refurbishment of the building complex with its teaching and office rooms. The goal was to retain the historic architecture, while at the same time lending the building a modern feel. For the balustrades on the balconies, the architects selected GKD’s ‘Omega 1520’ mesh. This material impresses visually with its finely woven combination of stainless steel and bronze. The semi-transparent mesh structure lends the room a sense of transparency, while at the same time offering protection from dazzling sunlight without any unwanted darkening effects. Due to the robustness of the metal mesh, it also reliably fulfils its function as fall guard protection.