Metal mesh solar protection façade: Research clinic, California

The gently curving metal mesh solar protection façade stretches across five stories – reaching beyond the roof – and is mounted in front of the glass façade of the City of Hope Medical Center.

Southern California can be very hot, meaning that buildings with large glass fronts require particularly effective solar protection. The architects NBBJ from California provided this protection with Futura 3110 metal mesh from GKD. The fabric serves the biomedical cancer research center as an energy-efficient solar protection façade without detracting from the open character of the building. The transparency of the metal mesh affords an unencumbered view from inside, so that patients feel connected to the outside world during their stay. Inside the building, the transparency also allows natural light to permeate during the day. At the same time, the solar protection façade helps to reduce air-conditioning costs and thus improves the energy efficiency of the hospital building.