Gateway of Pacific Parking Structures

In South San Francisco’s thriving biotech corridor, the Gateway of Pacific campus is a masterclass in life science-driven urban design. Developed over multiple phases, the campus includes expansive mid-rise commercial, research, and technology buildings and multi-level parking structures that serve as the primary arrival point for visitors. Ensuring these utilitarian structures do not detract from the campus vision was a key design priority for Flad Architects—making the design-forward and meticulously-engineered Fabricoil® Coiled Wire Fabric Systems from Cascade Architectural uniquely qualified to serve as the exterior cladding solution.

Design-Forward Utility for an Emerging Landmark

At the multi-phase life science development, three parking decks anchor and elevate the first impression of the site. Rather than relying on traditional concrete alone or segmented metal panels, Flad Architects envisioned a fluid, open, and visually dynamic screening system that would unify the campus aesthetic, contribute to sustainability goals, and ensure long-term performance in the harsh coastal climate—specifying 33,000 sq ft of custom powder-coated 3/8" 14 ga T316 stainless steel Fabricoil® coiled wire fabric to clad two mirror-image structures and over 15,000 sq ft in Cascade's Champagne color for a third structure.

The result: Sweeping, shimmering, breathable façades that change with the light and appear nearly monolithic in scale while enhancing safety and security, and presenting an extremely low-maintenance, naturally-ventilated façade solution with well over 50% open area that greatly minimizes long-term mechanical HVAC requirements. With over 48,000 sq feet of powder-coated stainless steel wire mesh material manufactured just over 600 miles north of the development in Tualatin, OR, using no toxic chemicals in the process and meeting stringent Red List Free criteria, the multi-functional parking garage facade systems make a strong contribution to the LEED-Certified site's sustainability goals, as well.

Why Fabricoil® Coiled Wire Fabric Systems

The fabric-like coiled wire mesh material was chosen over perforated metal and other panelized systems for its unique combination of performance and design versatility:

• Architectural-Grade Performance & Aesthetics: Finished in two distinct powder-coated colors, the system’s unique spiral mesh weave made from T316 stainless steel wire adds movement and texture that vary in appearance throughout the day. Applied in-house by Cascade using high-performance exterior powder coatings, these finishes are engineered to withstand UV, salt spray, and daily wear over decades.
• Design Continuity: Coiled wire fabric panels can be manufactured at virtually any height and up to 20 feet in width with no visible breaks because—unlike alternatives like framed panels or louvers which interrupt the design every few feet—Fabricoil's innovative spiral weave pattern allows designers to clad structures in continuous expanses of architectural metal mesh by field-splicing individually shipped panels during installation for a seamless aesthetic.
• Ventilation & Natural Light: Easily achieving over 50% open area, these coiled wire fabric systems promote natural ventilation inside the parking garages, often eliminating the need for mechanical system operation to adequately circulate air to manage vehicle emissions and allowing filtered daylight to reach interior spaces while contributing to solar heat gain management to more readily manage interior temperatures and ensure occupant comfort.
• Safety & Security: Engineered to handle high wind loads, mitigate debris, and meet strict fire-resistance and seismic performance standards required in California, these systems also effectively offer fall protection, jump deterrence, entry/egress control, screening of mechanical systems, and daylighting/solar control while maintaining views in and out of the structure.
• Quick Installation: Flexible, fabric-like wire mesh panels require minimal structural support and can be attached directly to floor slabs or façade substructures. With Cascade’s experienced engineering support, shop drawings, PE calculations, and system packaging, contractors like B.T. Mancini Co. installed the mesh quickly and efficiently, helping Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction maintain schedule and budget.

Collaborative Execution

The Gateway of Pacific parking structures are a model of early coordination and expert support – with Flad Architects leading the design vision and selecting Fabricoil for its distinctive, light-reflective qualities and functional benefits, and Cascade Architectural providing engineering support, system design assistance, unmatched weaving expertise, in-house powder-coating capabilities, and the exceptional quality control that is critical to beautifully cladding structures of this scale. Ultimately, contractors Hathaway Dinwiddle Construction and B.T. Mancini Co. put their deep experience in architectural mesh to work ensuring the fully-engineered solutions were installed correctly with rapid efficiency during this multi-year construction project.

Performance. Permanence. Partnership.

As a gateway to a world-class life sciences campus, the parking structures at Gateway of Pacific now stand as design-forward architectural features, not afterthoughts. Their custom architectural metal mesh façades represent more than utilitarian cladding – they are examples of how form and function can converge through innovative material selection, American-made craftsmanship, and seamless project collaboration.

With nearly 40 years of experience designing, engineering, and manufacturing coiled wire fabric systems for use in architectural applications worldwide, Fabricoil® Coiled Wire Fabric Systems from Cascade Architectural continue to set a new standard for architectural metal mesh in exterior screening applications – delivering beauty, safety, and sustainability at scale.

© Photography by Brian Kitts