Best Practices for Successful Hiding

In nature, organic patterns are used more often than crystalline patterns to camouflage subjects. The reason for this could be, quite simply, that attempts to hide items in nature or to visually blend something into a natural environment are more successful if elements of their surroundings are used and mimicked. Consider an organic tiger stripe pattern. The orange, black, white, brown, and tan stripes of a tiger help him blend into the tall grasses.

In architecture, the same principle can be applied to decide whether an organic or crystalline pattern is the right fit. Using an organic pattern with curving, soft lines can blend an architectural panel, and what is behind it, more effectively into the landscape or an outdoor environment. Crystalline patterns are a better solution for hiding something in the built environment where straight lines, sharp corners, and precise angles are more prevalent.

Continuous patterns are more effective at hiding items for the same reason that they are more adept at providing privacy. This is evidenced by the fact that continuous patterns can offer the same level of privacy or camouflage with a greater degree of openness. Modular patterns with holes larger than 3 inches in diameter and spaced more closely than 2 inches apart need to be located 4 feet from the equipment or area that the panels are intended to hide. A continuous pattern placed in the same spot as a panel with a modular pattern can boast openings that are 50 percent larger, without compromising the degree of camouflage provided.

Best Practices for Creating Secure Railings

When selecting a pattern for a safety railing or guardrail, it is important to be aware of entrapment issues and safety measures required by many local building codes. As a general rule, a pattern used in these applications must be tight enough to prevent a 4-inch sphere from passing through it. In some jurisdictions, there is an additional requirement that the pattern must not lend itself to being used as a ladder. Compliance requires that the openings in the pattern be even smaller, often smaller than 2 inches in diameter, as to not allow footholds or handholds anywhere on the panel.

Even a pattern designed to keep arms, feet, and animals out will allow light to move from one side of the railing to the other and cast light and shadow on the ramp, walkway, or staircase. Modular patterns with the appropriate safety dimensions are the safest solutions in areas of traverse, because the regular and repeated pattern casts a more uniform shadow onto the walking surface than a continuous pattern provides. When outfitting a long or exposed staircase, selecting an organic pattern over a crystalline pattern helps to avoid creating angular optical illusions that can be disorienting.

Best Practices for Partitioning Space

Patterned architectural panels are excellent options for partitioning space, because they are easily recognizable as a boundary and offer designers a vast array of aesthetic options to complement central themes or design elements that may exist. If creating privacy is not a concern, architectural patterns of any openness and style can be used to effectively separate one area from another. Multiple panels of modular patterns can create a visual rhythm of repetition through the space, while multiple panels of a continuous pattern may offer the effect of a single linear element dividing the space.

Best Practices for Impacting Architectural Identity

Selecting the right pattern to use in a structural capacity, to either complement or dramatically change the aesthetic of an existing building, requires that careful consideration be given to the forms found in the immediate area, the context of the project, and the goals of the installation. Specifiers can select crystalline patterns in newer, more sustainable materials to complement the existing structure of the building, while providing an impactful facelift. Organic patterns can be used to carry elements of the nearby landscape or fenestration onto the façade. The decision between modular and continuous pattern structures can be informed by desired degree of effect.

Best Practices for Creating Shade

Creating a comfortable shaded environment with an overhead architectural panel requires the careful consideration of the openness of the pattern, the structure of the pattern, the location of the panel, and the suitability of the base material for this type of application.

The openness of the pattern determines the amount of available light that is allowed through the panel and into the space below. More open patterns allow more light onto the floor plate. As a general recommendation, selecting a pattern that is between 15 and 25 percent open will deliver sufficient shade control in areas that receive direct sunlight, and it remains open enough to allow airflow to circulate, keeping the area comfortable even on hot days.

Airflow is as important as shade when creating a comfortable exterior space. Consider an entirely shaded structure that traps heat and humidity. Although shaded, the space could still be uncomfortable and unusable during certain times of the day or year. It should be noted that more openings in the overhead panel will create better air circulation and a more effective transfer of heat. To make the structure usable year-round, apply the general guideline that for every 10 degrees above 85 degrees, the percentage of openness should increase by 3 percent.

As the distance increases from the overhead shade to the objects requiring shade, sunlight will wrap around the edges of the patterned panel and shrink the shaded square footage below. Shade panels installed higher than 11 feet above the ground will need to use a 5 to 10 percent tighter pattern to offset the solar gain around the sides.

The structure of the pattern plays an important role in the distribution of light and airflow that the panel is able to provide. Modular patterns allow for more uniform distribution of light and shade through a space, because the pattern itself is more uniform. The irregularity of a continuous pattern may allow large amounts of light through in some areas of the panel and then completely block any sunlight from filtering through in other areas. This inconsistency changes the amount of shade and airflow that is offered at any particular seat beneath the shade panel and this level of variability may be undesirable.

When selecting the material for an exterior overhead shade panel, aluminum and copper are better solutions than steel for several important reasons. The predisposition of steel to rust can pose a problem when water runs through the panel and draws that rust down into the living space, potentially staining furnishings, flooring, etc., and eventually, rusting around the fasteners can make the overhead panel unsafe.