Gateway Plaza is a 19-story office tower development project in downtown Richmond, VA. In contrast to the monolithic tower, design for the garage reflects the movement and flow of the river. Through the use of parametric scripting various panelized surface formations, panel configurations and patterns were studied for the facade. Ultimately, three profiled perforated metal panels were cut and broken into varying surface conditions and gradated onto the facade.
The parametric model will be used by the facade fabricator to make the panels, closure pieces and tube supports. To limit the amount of framing and maximize openness, the panels are attached to a system of tube columns which span several floors of the garage. The result is a unified yet dynamic surface echoing the flow and patterns were studied for the facade.