Proposal for moiré screens facade at the Artloft on Washington Avenue in St.Louis MO.

Proposal.

In this proposal we will outline our basic concept to design, fabricate and install a moiré screen building façade for the renovations at the Artloft on 1531 Washington Avenue in St. Louis Missouri.

This first proposal is only meant to help us determine the basic design elements, style, and aesthetics that are preferred by the client.

Once this style parameter is established, we will prepare a second proposal of designs within that style to choose from, as well as solid dimensions and pricing.

Concept.

Moiré Effect.

The moiré effect is an optical illusion that occurs when viewing a set of lines or dots that is superimposed on another set of lines or dots, which is different in relative size, angle, or spacing. Utilizing this effect will give the building facade the illusion of motion and movement to passersby even though the façade is static and solid. This effect can be seen in everyday life, such as looking through a window screen at another screen or fence in the background.

Precedent.

These types of moirè building façades can be seen occasionally around the world in various architectural and artistic installations. However, it will be unique to St. Louis architecture on this scale. The façade will serve its primary function of providing a visual barrier that blocks the view into the pool area from the sidewalk while also letting in natural light. It will also provide a very dynamic look for the Artloft that will draw attention.

Materials.

The material for these moiré screens will be 5X10 sheets of 1/4 inch steel. The design pattern will then be cut out of the steel sheets using a CNC plasma cutter or water jet. This material and process are both fairly inexpensive, and easy to fabricate and install, making the project more economical. It is also very simple to add color using powder coating, or attach custom lighting to interact with those colors and with the screens themselves if needed.

Aesthetics.

Below are a few moirè screen style examples we have made specifically for the Artloft.

Because the moirè effect is more of a “design parameter”, the possibilities for how the façade could be laid out are endless. The curves, waves, lines, circles, swirls or a combination, can all create interesting motion and patterns. These examples are intended to help us understand the aesthetic direction you would like for the façade.

Please let us know if one of them perks your interest, and what you like and don’t like. Also please feel free to give any suggestions or direction you may have. We will then focus on that style in our next series of designs for our final presentation of moiré façade choices with dimensions and pricing.

Thank you,

BLA studios