“Ghost House” Project Wins Prestigious Les Grube Memorial Design Award
The Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute (CLFMI) has proudly announced that the 2014 Les Grube Memorial Design Award was awarded to architect Michele Cetera, AIA, and 458 Construction and Fence Company for their exceptional work on the Ghost House Project at Randall’s Island, New York. This award honors projects that showcase creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation in the use of chain link fencing.
Commissioned by the New York City Department of Parks in collaboration with the Bronx Museum of the Arts, Ghost House is a public sculpture that elevates chain link fencing from a functional material to a work of art. The inspiration for the project came from artist Wilfred Smith’s “Fences Furniture” series, in which furniture was constructed entirely from chain link. Expanding on this concept, Ghost House depicts the outline of an entire home, influenced by the many baseball backstops that are a familiar sight in Randall’s Island Park.
The sculpture’s design creates a delicate, three-dimensional “drawing” of a house using woven steel wire and pipe. Measuring 18 by 24 feet and standing 16 feet tall, the structure was built in accordance with industry standards for chain link fence fabric, pipe, and fittings. The project was made possible with the generous donation and delivery of all chain link materials by Eastern Wholesale Fence Co., Inc., Medford, NY (www.easternfence.com).
Beyond its striking visual presence, Ghost House is meant to be interactive. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the piece—whether by playing ball games around it, exploring it as a whimsical play space, enjoying moments of reflection, or even using it as a stage for live performances. The title pays homage to Philip Johnson’s “Ghost House” in New Canaan, Connecticut, adding a layer of architectural tribute.
The Les Grube Memorial Design Award—named for a past CLFMI President and fence industry pioneer—celebrates outstanding achievements in the field. The award includes a $2,500 prize and custom plaque for the designing architect and a $1,000 prize and plaque for the installing contractor, recognizing their expertise and vision in creating a project that blends art, architecture, and the versatility of chain link fencing.
