Time-Tested Product Helps Architects Achieve Their Vision
The proprietary stainless steel matte finish, InvariMatte®, from Contrarian Micro Textures is helping to create an architectural crown jewel in downtown Los Angeles – the dazzling new Los Angeles High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, also known as Central L.A. High School #9.
In a city highly regarded for its role in the arts, the seven-structure, five-acre campus, with space for 1,600-students, is a prized asset of L.A.’s ongoing Grand Avenue project—which, when finished, will comprise part of a cluster of cultural attractions and architectural wonders, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Los Angeles Music Center, and the Colburn School for Performing Arts. The new school is located at 450 N. Grand Avenue.
A total of 50,000 square feet of Contrarian’s InvariMatte® stainless steel finish was employed to meet the architect’s vision for a bead blasted appearance on the exterior panels for three sections of the high school: a next-generation library dubbed the “Space of Knowledge” and placed in the center of the school courtyard, rising as a truncated, asymmetrical cone with an ocular window aimed at the sky, and sheathed in InvariMatte® stainless steel shingles; the striking entrance, consisting of a framed glass atrium surrounded by Alcoa’s exceptionally crafted Reynobond® InvariMatte®composite panels; and a helix that arches skyward over the 101 Freeway at Grand Avenue, providing a spectacular landmark visible from northern Los Angeles.
The shingles for the library were fabricated and installed by CMF, INC. (Custom Metal Fabricators) of Orange, CA. Diamond Perforating of Visalia, CA perforated the helix screen and CMF, INC. fabricated and installed the 1/8-inch InvariMatte® stainless steel perforated screen.
“Contrarian’s InvariMatte® finish was chosen for several important reasons,” said Glenn Meyer, Project Manager with CMF, INC. “Obviously, this is a project of stunning beauty and extraordinary vision on the part of the architects, and InvariMatte® gave us a superior product over the standard bead blasted stainless steel. The consistency and quality of the finish helped us achieve the project’s aesthetic objectives. In addition, InvariMatte®’s stainless steel attributes mean that it provides a ‘slam-dunk’ life cycle cost savings that can’t be beat.”
InvariMatte® is a non-directional, low gloss, uniformly textured stainless steel finish designed for use in architectural applications. It is often used when a bead blasted stainless steel is specified. While it’s lower reflectivity lends itself to roofing applications, it can be applied to wall panels, coping and trim. The superb consistency of this finish results in excellent panel-to-panel matching. Since InvariMatte® has no coatings to deteriorate, it will last indefinitely with little maintenance. Because stainless steel is dimensionally stable up to 2000-degrees Fahrenheit, InvariMatte® provides an added measure of protection in the event of a fire.
“InvariMatte® is a remarkable product that provides a sustainable, low glare appearance with outstanding finish consistency,” said Jim Halliday, of Contrarian Micro Textures. “Unlike painted metal, InvariMatte®’s finely textured finish will stand the test of time without fading, all the while delivering stainless steel’s remarkable resistance to corrosion.”
The architect for the new high school is Coop Himmelb(l)au, with HMC Architects serving as executive architect. The most visible design element of the school is a steel tower, enveloped in a spiraling ribbon.
The Los Angeles High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, set for completion in 2008, will provide space for four academies for education in music, dance, theater arts and visual arts. It also will provide the community with a 1,000-seat theater open to the public. The new school’s proximity to important cultural institutions was a key factor in the development of the school’s mission and design. The school, like the Grand Avenue project as a whole, received considerable support from billionaire philanthropist and arts champion Eli Broad.
Contrarian Micro Textures and one of its partners, Tsukiboshi Art Co. Ltd of Hyogo, Japan, will take part in a tour of the new school hosted by the USC Architectural Guild on Saturday, June 28, at 9:30 a.m. Jim Halliday, of Contrarian Micro Textures, and Takayuki Tokunaga, Managing Director of Tsukiboshi Art Co. Ltd., will represent each company. Contrarian Micro Textures and Tsukiboshi Art Co. Ltd. deliver architectural support in coined, embossed and advanced vacuum vapor deposition colorized stainless steel.
The invitation to attend the tour was first made by Dottie O’Carroll, Executive Director for Development of the USC School of Architecture while attending the AIA Conference in Boston earlier this year. For more information about the USC Architectural Guild, contact its executive director, Zelda Wong, or visit their website.
Contrarian Micro Textures offers an unrivaled selection of finishes in stainless steel, and titanium designed for architectural applications, and custom finish solutions, and application engineering assistance. Architectural finishes from Contrarian Micro Textures can be used for a variety of applications including roofing and wall panel systems, composite panels, elevators, coping, trim, flashing, doors and counter tops.