While cable architecture solutions have typically been about safety barriers, they have evolved way beyond this traditional role.
These days, cable architecture often incorporates transformative elements that lead to the creation of dynamic public environments and the reshaping of city spaces.
Here are some examples of cable architecture where safety and design meet.
Cable architecture solutions in Australia
1. Indoor hanging gardens
Hanging plants can completely transform an indoor space, taking it from the ordinary to the spectacular!
Stainless steel cables provide an effective mechanism for suspending planter boxes in commercial or public buildings. However, safely hanging exceptionally large planters can come with challenges.
This was the case for us at the Workshop in Sydney. The client wanted hanging planter rings, weighing up to 260kg each, in the central glass atrium area. The rings would cascade down over several levels.
It was a spectacular concept, as long as we could safely suspend the planters under the glass ceiling, and prevent them from tilting and spilling.
To achieve this, we suspended the planters from structural beams, and to keep them steady, we created a bespoke cable-suspended transfer frame that connected back to the steel members at pre-determined angles. From this point, we were able to insert our main supports. We used Jakob cables and fittings, which were coloured black to fade into the background.
The finished result is pretty amazing. Check it out!
2. Indoor atriums
Indoor atriums require strong safety barriers – but even barriers don’t have to be merely functional.
We had this in mind when designing an atrium barrier for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. We knew it was possible to create a barrier that would not only meet safety codes, but also enhance the building’s architecture and décor, and help it fulfil its purpose of community and connection.
We designed and installed a transparent barrier from 5mm stainless steel vertical cables to span the full height of the atrium. All the materials – cables and components – were coloured black to fit in with the indoor palette.
The main challenge was adapting the cables to the changing shape of the atrium over the different levels. Fortunately, the cables we used had the flexibility to move and splay in accordance with the atrium’s shape variations – something that would not have been possible with a more rigid material.
Not only are the cables highly functional – they almost have the look of a musical stringed instrument! Take a look here.
3. Outdoor art displays
We have done numerous projects using cable architecture to suspend public or commercial artworks. A prominent one is the ‘Reflect’ light sculpture in Sydney.
This 12m-high installation spans across the Arc by Crown building’s atrium, and comprises thousands of coloured LED lights suspended by stainless steel cables in a mesh formation. The sculpture has also helped to revitalise Sydney’s old Skittle Laneway.
The challenges for this one included making a weighty installation (1.2 tonnes) appear light and floaty, and fitting the whole thing into a space that was pretty tight.
However, we managed to pull it off through precision engineering and design – with the result speaking for itself!
Tensile cable architecture can do a lot more than just provide safety barriers or security screens, important as these are. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more!
