Perforated Metal Pendants Create an Ambient Glow
- July 8, 2019
- 8 min
Custom Solution by Blackrock Industries
Evoking emotion and creating experiences—these are the goals Blackrock Industries sets for every project. Blackrock is a team of custom design and fabrication experts. They fulfill clients’ requests through innovative ideas and masterful execution. These artisans have a reputation for their vision and craftsmanship, and they offer customers pieces that make a statement.
Selecting a Material
Recently, Blackrock was approached with a task that required some thinking outside of the box. Hopdoddy Burger Bar enlisted Blackrock for pendant lighting that would make a vast space feel warm and inviting. Although the pendants would be hanging from expansive, high ceilings in their Orlando, Florida, location, they wanted to preserve a cozy atmosphere for patrons.
Designers Nathan Simpson and Janet Heinrich knew that the key to satisfying these requirements was balancing the diffusion of light. They would need to illuminate the space properly, but do so in a way that created an ambient glow.
While solving these challenges, Blackrock also needed to find a material that was suitable for fabrication. The product had to be flexible and provide high levels of workability. It was important to ensure that the material could mold to the desired shape and design, as well as function on a large scale. Encompassing it all, the team also aimed to deliver a final product that was unique and visually appealing.
Defining Product Specifications
All of these requirements pointed to one solution: Perforated Metal. These sheets would suit the goals of the fabrication team. To deliver a sleek look, and provide plenty of options for customizing the amount of light that would shine through. Blackrock partnered with McNICHOLS to begin exploring a wide inventory of Perforated material.
Simpson and Heinrich analyzed product specifications such as hole size, shape, and arrangement to determine the perfect diffusion of light. They found that a 40% Open Area with 1/8" Round Holes would provide the perfect amount of filtered illumination.
From Model to Masterpiece
Blackrock Metal Shop Lead Zach Thornton gathered his team to begin crafting miniature models. By experimenting on a smaller scale, they were able to gain insight into how the mechanics would work as well as how the material would function. With all the pieces in place, they were ready to prepare the final product.
Thornton and his crew of fabricators got to work wrapping the sheets of Perforated Metal into a conical shape. They secured these pieces into place, then welded on finishing banding and other details. The inside was fitted with the lighting mechanics, and the final touches were meticulously added to complete the masterpiece.
The ultimate test? Install the custom fixtures.
When the team brought the pendants to the Florida Hopdoddy location, the client was thrilled with what Blackrock was able to produce. They admired the magnitude and beauty of the fixtures. Also, they appreciated the fact that they were large enough to fill the space without looking out of place.
Most importantly, however, the client was excited about the final effect created by the fixtures. Hopdoddy agreed that the installation of the pendants completed the warm atmosphere. It would give patrons an inviting space to dine. With this stamp of approval, Blackrock knew that they had succeeded in their guiding mission—emotion and experience achieved.
Featured Product: Perforated Metal Pendants
If you’d like to purchase Round Hole Perforated Metal, contact us at 855.318.8791, [email protected], or via Live Chat on mcnichols.com.