Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/401422
Celebrating our 30th year of publication • Be sure to visit us online at www.worldfencenews.com NOVEMBER 2014 HOUSTON — Last March, the largest Audi dealership in the U.S. opened on Houston's southwest side — a striking 7-story structure with a perforated metal and glass exterior. Audi Central Houston covers 142,000 square feet and contains 10 showrooms plus a service area. Much thought went into the type of fencing to be utilized on the futur- istic facility. The architect's goal was something that would not contrast or detract from the building's silver col- ored skin, but rather would provide security and at the same time blend in with the exterior. The decision was made to go with the Designmaster Fencing Sys- tem from Deacero, a complete welded wire fencing system made to enhance virtually any architectural style in res- idential and commercial installations. (Deacero is one of the largest steel manufacturers in North Ameri- ca with more than 60 years of market experience. The company currently manufactures over 53 branded prod- ucts including numerous wire fencing styles.) The Designmaster system is avail- able in fi ve different styles. The Forte Max Security style combines high strength horizontal and vertical wires with close panel openings for extra security, and was chosen for the Audi Central Houston installation. There are a total of eight standard colors available. Conveniently, the standard silver factory powder coated fi nish was used, avoiding the need for custom colors. Some 400 lineal feet of Design- master fencing was installed at the site by Titan Fence of Houston. In addition to the perimeter fencing and gates, Titan installed additional items in the parking and inventory areas of the structure. Additional fencing was used to enclose stairwells and tool storage areas. For added security, the wire pan- Subtle security Architectural wire fencing provides pleasing exterior accent to futuristic auto dealership facility The architect's goal was to provide a secure yet non-intrusive perimeter fence for the futuristic new Audi Central Houston facility. They went with a silver pow- der coated fi nish architectural wire product – the Designmaster Fencing System from Deacero. The Designmaster fencing was also used in the service area. The style of Designmaster fencing used on the project – Forte Max Se- curity – features high strength horizontal and vertical wires with small panel openings for ex- tra security. It is one of fi ve styles available in the Designmaster line in eight stan- dard colors. continued on page 38 els are attached to the upright posts using special steel locks which are se- cured with tamper resistant nuts and bolts. While the fencing did not have to be custom coated, a number of slide and swing gates of varying sizes did have to be fabricated by Titan and sent out to be powder coated to match the fence. The company fabricated the gate frames out of galvanized steel, and then completed them with the Forte Max Security wire infi ll. Proper installation of the gates was critical, as Designmaster fence contains a V-brace for added strength and these ribs in the fence and the gates had to align perfectly. When the gates were closed it was vital that the continuation of the ribs from fence to gate matched up. The installation went smoothly overall, although as in most cases, Ti- tan Fence found themselves "tripping over" all the other trades working on the project and often was forced to "hurry up and wait." "As well as being utilized at luxury car dealerships, Forte Max World Fence News staff photos