Project Description:

Each fire wall contains automatic ignition candle flames floating inside glass bowls.  Each bowl is set upon a sandstone ledge and projects out from the wall.  Upon our initial review of the conceptual design from the architect, we asked "Where is the barrier to keep the public out of the flame?"  They answered, "There isn't going to be one!"  Since the addition of a physical barrier would totally destroy the concept, we decided to use an invisible barrier.  Borrowing from the machine guarding industry, we installed infrared barriers across the front of each wall.  Any object wider than a pencil breaking the barrier will cause the corresponding wall to shut off.  After a 2 minute delay, the wall starts back up.  Little did we know that the "Shut off the fire wall" bar game would become an instant success!  The architect liked it, the owners liked it and the listing agency liked it.  The bartenders get a little twitchy now and again, though.

Team:

Perini Construction Company - General contractor

Alexander Manufacturing - Casework and steel framing

RADCO, Inc. - Third party listing agent