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MUKWONAGO, WI…Aggressive revitalization and community development projects have transformed Greenville, S.C. into one of America’s best downtowns, according to Forbes Magazine. A shade structure in its new ONE City Plaza, composed of Banker Wire mesh, embodies the city’s identity and encourages passers-by to enjoy the public space.

ONE City Plaza, Greenville’s pedestrian-only city center, is the city’s newest mixed-use hub – featuring retail, dining, university and office spaces. Located at Main and Coffee streets, it aims to draw people to the city’s vibrant downtown. The public space offers ample shade, seating and landscaping, which are enjoyed by both the city’s residents and visitors. Reflecting a combination of Southern tradition and contemporary sensibility, the plaza’s design embodies the characteristics that make Greenville unique.

Banker Wire mesh forms a shade structure that serves as the centerpiece for the plaza, and meaningfully evokes Greenville’s history. Greenville was previously known as the “textile center of the world,” and Civitas, designer of ONE City Plaza, wanted to pay homage to the city’s past. That desire led them to consider metal fabric for the shade structure, and they selected Banker Wire wire mesh based on the company’s combination of quality, cost-efficiency and design expertise. The Banker Wire S-12 pattern used has raised facets that draw attention to its woven composition in a nod to the textile industry.

The 20-by-125 foot shade structure, formed by stainless steel wire mesh, provides a beautiful and comfortable place for visitors to ONE City Plaza to relax. Banker Wire S-12 has a low percent open area, which means it can provide shade without blocking light out entirely. By day, it shields guests from the potentially harsh Southern sun, allowing them to dine, lounge and stroll in comfort. By night, small LED lights mounted on the shade structure’s frame illuminate the tables and walkway below. The woven wire mesh filters and reflects the light, giving the plaza a soft glow.

“We worked directly with Banker Wire while detailing this design,” says Todd Mead, Principal with Civitas, designer of ONE City Plaza. “They sent samples to us and to the lighting designer. We tested them for their ability to provide shade, and the lighting designer ensured that the light fixtures and mesh worked together correctly.”

R.F. Knox Company, Inc., a fabricator based in Smyrna, G.A., executed Civitas’ vision by surrounding the woven wire mesh with U-edge frames. The U-edge provides the strength needed to form the structure, without distracting from the woven wire mesh’s aesthetic. The entire structure is mounted on columns and surrounded by greenery and seating.

ONE City Plaza was dedicated in Spring 2014. The project team included Civitas, 4240 Architects, R.F. Knox Company, Inc., and the City of Greenville.