ZEPPS is a prefab building system to streamline complex structural forms. Zahner provides the system as a comprehensive solution, inclusive of the design-engineering, manufacturing and installation.
ZEPPS provides artists and designers with the capability to create any sculptural form. The system is developed by the Zahner engineering and manufacturing team, and is frequently used to create unique building shapes, sculpture, custom canopies.
When used in architecture, ZEPPS forms can be developed to contain a complete wall system. This can include the exterior skin, waterproofing membrane, vapor barrier, structure, MEP, insulation, and interior wall substrate. By offering this as a complete system, designers can confidently develop curving architecture without worrying about how other trades will integrate into a unique curvilinear system.
George Metzger Former Partner at Frank Gehry Partners
It works a little bit like a model-airplane kit. Zahner’s computer system will go through the design automatically and organize all the parts to create a shape. The cutting patterns get sent over to a computer system that cuts the shapes. All the shapes come in a box numbered, and as long as they fit the numbered parts in the right places there’s very little measuring. You get a unique prefabricated shape that comes in a box.
Chrysalis at Merriweather Park in Symphony Woods.
PHOTO © MICHAEL MCCALL
Fisher Center at Bard College.
PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.Working within the ZEPPS framework provides a number of benefits — for both the design team developing the design as well as the general contractor and client’s budgetary needs.
ZEPPS provides a modular custom prefabricated product. As such, the physical parts are entirely derived from digitally defined geometries. Zahner engineers translate these surface geometries into parametric parts. When assembled, the large panel elements interlock and make up a continuous surface. There is no other system quite like it.
The parametric relationships take in the necessary strength of the individual components that make up the finish panel. Connections back to the main structure are clearly defined and minimized for ease and speed of installation.
As a modular surfacing system, the vapor, water and thermal barriers can be incorporated into the panels. Allowances for sprinkler, and MEP systems can be incorporated into the systems by including them in the parametric defined surface.
ZEPPS stands for Zahner Engineered Profile Panel System, and was first developed to provide a methodology for manufacturing non-Euclidian curved forms in architecture.
Zahner has been producing unique and decorative architecture since the company’s founding in 1897. ZEPPS stands for Zahner Engineered Profile Panel System, and was developed to enable architects to design and build imaginative forms with ease. The Antoine Predock-designed Museum of Science and Industry was the impetus which led to the research and development for the system. The first iteration of ZEPPS was used during Frank Gehry’s Experience Music Project, in Seattle, Washington.
To learn more about manufacturing curving forms for art and architecture contact the Zahner sales team.
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