Western Washington University Academic Instructional Center Case History

Western Washington University Academic Instructional Center – Bellingham, WA

"The aesthetic of the Cambridge mesh was very desirable to us, especially the way it is fabricated and the texture that it brings to the building."
- Mark Gifford, Associate Principal of NAC Architecture

Project Data

Location: Bellingham, WA
Facility End Use: Educational Center
Architect: NAC Architecture – Seattle, WA
General Contractor: Dawson Construction, Inc. – Bellingham, WA
Completion Date: June 2008

Cambridge Products Specified

Mesh Pattern: Shade

Attachment Method:
Eclipse

Beautiful
A Cambridge Solucent™ architectural mesh shading system exudes modern flair for the Academic Instructional Center on the campus of Western Washington University. The unique look of the woven metal mesh shading system dresses the southwest-facing exterior of the building. Long panels of woven metal fabric are installed in tension, perpendicular to the structure’s windows so that they meet the sun at the proper angle.

The sleek, modern panels of Cambridge architectural mesh add another layer of design, bringing an entirely new texture and point of interest to the building.

Functional
Cambridge's Solucent system was a perfect application for the Academic Instructional Center, which needed an exterior facade that could shade the sun while maintaining ventilation and preserving outside views. The inherent nature of architectural mesh allows it to block light, but remain transparent at the same time. Installing the mesh system on the southwest-facing wall allowed for maximum solar shading, and as a result the perpendicular panels were able to reduce heat gain generated by harsh sunlight. The mesh panels also facilitate daylighting to optimize the interior environment and ultimately improve the performance of building occupants.

Affordable
To fit the overall design and project needs at Western Washington University, Cambridge provided a strategically-designed exterior specifically built to improve energy efficiency. The shading system reduces cooling loads to the building, which ultimately cuts energy costs. Additionally, stainless steel architectural mesh is a recyclable material that is virtually indestructible, outlasting most other materials in durability and ultimately reducing the need to repair or replace the exterior.

Sustainable
The 120,000-square-foot facility incorporates a number of green building elements that prompted the University to apply for LEED® certification. By employing streamlined and sustainable concepts like metal fabric shading, the Academic Instructional Center has been able to reduce energy usage and optimize building operations. Cambridge architectural mesh is also 100% recyclable, and contributes to the daylighting and views section of LEED by decreasing glare and improving quality of light. Finally, metal fabric systems are extremely durable, with a lifecycle far outlasting that of alternative products. Cambridge Architectural is an active member of the USGBC®.

"The aesthetic of the Cambridge mesh was very desirable to us, especially the way it is fabricated and the texture that it brings to the building." - Mark Gifford, Associate Principal of NAC Architecture

Project Data

Cambridge Products Specified

© 2009 Cambridge Architectural

"The aesthetic of the Cambridge mesh was very desirable to us, especially the way it is fabricated and the texture that it brings to the building."
- Mark Gifford, Associate Principal of NAC Architecture