Stainless steel wire rope is used for architectural rigging in many construction projects. Tensioned cables, wire rope and rods create solutions to support bridges, staircases, walkways, catenary lighting installations, building facades and more.
In these types of projects, it’s generally the precision-engineered tensile wire that carries the load. The wire system is not usually the star of the show either, but rather plays a supporting role.
Here are some examples of stainless steel wire rope applications.
Balustrades and railings
Stainless steel tensioned wire rope cables and webnet mesh are popular materials for balustrades in many commercial, residential and government buildings.
Balustrades can be made from tensioned vertical or horizontal wire rope. This enables compliance with safety regulations, while giving the finished structure a sleek and minimalist look. An example of this is the Learning and Teaching building at Monash University.
In some cases, pre-formed wire mesh is used for fall protection instead, as demonstrated in the Melbourne School of Design and Carlton House projects.
Catenary lighting
Stainless steel cables can provide an excellent architectural solution for overhead street lighting. Catenary cables create an installation that looks effortless and floating, but which is very strong and robust.
Examples include the Reflect light sculpture in Sydney’s Skittle Lane and Adelaide’s Henley Square.
Street or public art projects
Precision-engineered steel cables can appear light and almost transparent while still carrying some substantial loads.
This includes Echo Orbit, a suspended artwork that doubles as shading, and Sydney’s Steam Mill Lane where catenary cables carry some pretty heavy street-sized jewellery pieces!
Building facades
Wire cables made from 316-grade stainless steel and configured in various formations can be used to create supporting structures for facades.
This includes vertical or horizontal ropes or crosshatch or lattice systems, designed to support climbing plants or planter boxes in green facades or artistic elements in decorative facades.
Wire mesh – also made from 316-grade steel – can also be used in facades to support greenery or decorative elements.
At Tensile we specialise in custom engineered stainless-steel wire rope applications for architectural rigging. Feel free to contact us if you have a project in mind.
