When the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens took on a US$144m upgrade project to its M&T Bank Stadium, which completed this summer, it included a series of metal mesh panels to the exterior that not only provide an art element to the design, but also enhanced building function.
The architectural mesh on the building’s façade have been etched with a signature raven’s wing to represent the team, but they also serve for air flow, and protection from the elements for the upgraded escalator and ramp areas on the northwest corner.
The metal material is supplied by Cambridge Architectural and is made from stainless steel sourced from recycling materials. The etching process darkens the polished stainless steel with a matte finish. Details within the wing pattern are found throughout many M & T Bank Stadium upgrades in both public and premium spaces through coordination with Gilbane Building Company, the project’s general contractor.
“The mesh would be beautiful on its own, but the Ravens created a distinct public art asset by having Cambridge Architectural etch 32 panels of their Mid-Balance mesh with a timeless design that celebrates the team and the City of Baltimore,” said Tyler Robertson, AIA, Populous Architect/Associate Principal overseeing the stadium renovations. “The wing design changes the density of the etched mesh to create interest when approaching from the north and also from great distances on the skyline.”
