Sculpture/Speciality

The most challenging and rewarding projects are the unique designs and solutions created for those individual requirements brought by clients with the most complex and unusual needs. Developing extraordinary and elegant solutions for the unexpected makes full use of the creativity and resourcefulness that are hallmarks of Metropolis Fabrication and Design Studio. Here the combination of unique ideas, materials and design stand out to deliver singularly identifiable results.

Custom fabricated for a client’s specific requirements, this polished stainless steel and carbon fiber paneled speaker’s lectern is designed with a curved front panel, rubber topped aluminum shelves for sound damping and hidden locking casters. The rubber-topped aluminum side table is reversible, mounting to either side of the lectern or is removable in its entirety. The side table is framed on laser cut stainless steel ribs and supported with a cylindrical aluminum leg post. Both the lectern and table are designed for and equipped to mount microphones with hidden access for cable routing. While the front panel is carbon only, the carbon fiber panels on the sides of the lectern are aluminum cored to give a contrasting finished edge and integral hard mounting points for the side table.

Metropolis fabricated the primary structures and cabinetry for artist Adon Newman’s interactive installation “Concentric” from the artist’s original ideas, drawings and input. The horn shapes were laid up in fiberglass and the black-finished center cabinet and pedestals are constructed from ¾” cabinet-grade birch plywood.

The entire installation breaks down using only a screwdriver and is designed to fit together in only one configuration to avoid assembly issues. The center cabinet is constructed on-site, first placing the three interlocking base panels. The center triangular housing is situated on the base assembly and then three corner supports slide and lock into position. They are positively located using a unique set of cleats with each only fitting one location. Three stainless steel fabrications supporting the vessel then pin to the tops of each corner support on hidden locating points. Finally, the horn structures fasten to the outer points of the base panels.

This special project is a custom, tool-less, polished stainless steel and carbon fiber motorcycle display stand with repositionable and removable hero card holder. The stand is designed to be used at the front of a motorcycle with the front wheel resting on the base of the display. The replaceable carbon fiber panel has a custom vinyl graphic applied highlighting the details of the vehicle. The hero card box can be installed on either the right or left side of the bike or not used at all. The mounting for the hero card box is indexed at 180 º for the two options and when the hero card box is not installed, the mounting point is hidden seamlessly behind the display. The entire display is designed to be operated entirely without tools also disassembling easily for storage and/or shipping.

Designed and constructed for a diverse media company, Metropolis fabricated these motor scooter advertising trailers. Intended to be towed behind 150cc scooters, the trailers are very lightweight, with full suspension and feature removable message panels. Utilizing a fully self-contained illumination, power and charging system, they are lit from inside allowing the message panels to be read at night. The rear panel lifts to access interior storage for materials or samples. Hitches were fabricated for two different scooter specifications to allow versatility in the towing fleet.

Fabricated as a prototype for a special award presented by the client, the race car element on this trophy is constructed, without welding, from a single flat sheet of stainless steel. The pattern is first cut out of the material and then bent, folded and curved to suggest the shape of the car.