Wall partition in its lowered position (image courtesy of Erin Bradner) to separate the meeting space from the partying
Wall partition in its raised position (image courtesy of Janice Wong-Perez) to open up the meeting space for as many employees as possible
Autodesk makes software for people who make the world. If you've ever driven a high-performance car, admired a towering skyscraper, used a smartphone, or watched a great film, chances are you've experienced what millions of Autodesk customers are doing with our software. Autodesk gives you the power to make anything, but some segments of the general public are not yet aware of that.
The Autodesk Gallery at One Market in San Francisco celebrates design — the process of taking a great idea and turning it into a reality. With about 60 different exhibits regularly on display that showcase the innovative work of Autodesk customers, the gallery illustrates the role technology plays in great design and engineering. Autodesk Gallery Ambassadors conduct gallery tours as a sideline to their day jobs. The tours provide ambassadors with opportunities to practice public speaking in front of small groups. Although ambassadors typically cover the exhibits on the gallery floor, there are elements of the gallery itself that are noteworthy.
The Operable Wall Partition showcases the beauty and function of engineering woven into aesthetics defined by architecture. Schematics and information about the wall are located on the adjacent window in front of our 3D-printed dress.
People
Software
Autodesk serves 3 primary industries:
- Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC)
- Product Design and Manufacturing (PD&M)
- Media and Entertainment (M&E)
These industries are converging, and the SKYFOLD Classic operable wall partition is a reflection of the intersection of AEC and PD&M. The SKYFOLD Classic is a custom-manufactured retractable acoustic partition. [1] | |
It's an object created by a product manufacturer that needs to integrate into a floorplan created by architects and engineers that is installed by a construction crew. It is typical for building renovations to be designed using AutoCAD or Revit whereas things like wall partitions are often designed using Inventor or Revit. Integration with project architects and engineers is crucial to provide structural information [2] so the manufacturer can design and produce a customized partition that fits precisely into its intended space. [3] Coordination among stakeholders via solutions like BIM 360 can assist in the collaboration. |
The SKYFOLD Classic is a custom-manufactured retractable, acoustic partition whose motor eliminates the need for manual operation although its mechanism is almost invisible within the space.
Standard SKYFOLD Classic operable walls have a Class "A" fire rating and are 11 3/4" (300mm) thick with two independent planes of steel panels separated by a 10 1/4" (260mm) airspace that creates an anechoic chamber. It also has 1½" (38mm) insulation on the back of each panel. The combination of these elements creates an exceptional sound barrier. So it's no surprise that SKYFOLD Classic operable walls have been approved by many top architectural firms in the world for use in spaces where sound control is critical. [SKYFOLD FAQ]
Part of the appeal of the SKYFOLD Classic operable walls is that they do not require any floor or wall tracks. All acoustical components are integrated into the wall. Once the SKYFOLD Classic operable wall is in the down position, acoustical seals automatically engage against the floor and fixed walls. The low profile [4] of the partition folding mechanism is designed to be almost invisible in the space. [SKYFOLD FAQ] |
Raising or lowering the wall allows Autodesk to use the space as a classroom, conference room, or part of an open gallery experience.
The SKYFOLD Classic's motor eliminates the need for manual operation. All SKYFOLD operable walls are equipped with two switches; a key to activate the system and two push buttons to operate the system. These switches are wired in series to ensure they are operated simultaneously. When either or both push buttons are released, the wall stops immediately, without coasting. SKYFOLD Classic operable walls are also equipped with a continuous pressure sensing strip on the bottom leading edge of the wall. If this sensing strip comes in firm contact with an object, power will be cut to the system and it will then automatically reverse direction and ascend for approximately 3 seconds to clear the obstruction. Normal operation of the system can resume once the obstruction has been removed. [SKYFOLD FAQ]
Autodesk has always been an automation company, and today more than ever that means helping people make more things, better things, with less; more and better in terms of increasing efficiency, performance, quality, and innovation; less in terms of time, resources, and negative impacts (e.g., social, environmental). When DPR installed the SYKFOLD Classic in the gallery space, DPR, Autodesk, and building management (American Assets Trust) were all on the same page with regard to its specifications, cost, installation schedule, and planned usefulness. Coordination among stakeholders is one of the ways Autodesk customers do more and better with less.
The Autodesk Gallery in San Francisco is open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. There is a guided tour on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm and a self-guided audio tour available anytime. Admission is free. Visit us.
Partitioning is alive in the lab.