166 Geary St., San Francisco
RETROFIT TEAM
ELEVATOR DESIGNER: Unique Elevator Interiors
MATERIALS
In San Francisco’s upscale Union Square district, 166 Geary Street stands tall with 16 stories of commercial and office spaces. The 1907 building boasts many classic design features, brought to life with modern renovations honoring the building’s history. When updating the 100-year-old elevator cab, the designers at Unique Elevator Interiors selected Banker Wire’s M33-2 in bronze to put the inner workings of the shaft on display while remaining true to the vintage elegance of the building.
Because of its advanced age, the elevator cab needed a complete overhaul. Unique Elevator Interiors crafted new cab shell walls with Banker Wire’s mesh, keeping the original dome to retain the ornamental design. The bronze tones of M33-2 imbue the cab interior with warmth, complementing the star-patterned metal backing of the ceiling’s filigreed corners.
“We wanted to see if we could update the design of the cab and still make it look classic,” states Duane Bolt of Unique Elevator Interiors. “We knew Banker Wire and their woven wire mesh would be a great fit.”
Chosen for its sturdiness and opacity, woven wire mesh pattern M33-2 was built into the frame of the cab, making up the majority of the visible structure. With its 9.2 percent open area, the wire mesh creates a slightly transparent façade, allowing glimpses of the elevator shaft and mechanics beyond. The flat-faced basket weave adds texture to the surrounding walls with glistening highlights and deep shadows.
WOVEN WIRE MESH: Banker Wire
PHOTOS: Banker Wire