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LABS

Custom Automation

CUSTOM AUTOMATION FOR MANUFACTURING

Custom automation is a key component of the company’s continued growth. Every day, Zahner engineers and fabricators develop unique projects for architects. These projects are increasing in complexity, requiring a flexible shop which can transition between each job which runs through the shop.

By using custom automation, Zahner can develop custom methods on a per-project basis. Zahner is uniquely positioned to assist designers who are developing generative designs, selective finishes, and mass customization.

For many years, the engineers and fabricators at Zahner have developed unique processes, from custom image-based perforation, laser and water jet-cut tracery, to unique finishes and patina processes on metal, glass, and ceramic surfaces. Today, many projects require this kind of automated manufacturing on a per-project basis.

MORE FROM ZAHNER LABS
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Patina Development

Patina is an oxidized layer on the surface of the metal. While this process will occur naturally over time on metals, this process can also be controlled and manipulated. Zahner researches and develops custom patina processes for a range of metals.

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Recent Projects

Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio
Mountain View, CA

Google Bay View Campus

…
https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23083350/CREDIT_Iwan-Baan_Google-Bay-View-22-04_5816_Iwan-Baan_LR-mono.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1334 2000 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-04-25 10:39:052025-05-05 12:12:26Google Bay View Campus
Council Bluffs, Iowa

James Turrell Skyspace

https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24062220/james-turrell-sphere-7-min.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1512 2016 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-03-31 13:46:032025-04-24 11:33:17James Turrell Skyspace
Stanford, California

Schwab Residential Center at Stanford Graduate School of Business

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Aerial view of the Scottsdale Civic Center.
Scottsdsale, Arizona

Scottsdale Civic Center

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The perforated panels are made from Zahner's Angel Hair, a diffuse finish on stainless steel.PHOTO ©️ Parrish Ruiz de Velasco (parrch.com)
Arlington, Texas

UT Arlington Cooper Street Bridge

https://www.azahner.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1F2A0383_mono.jpg 1667 2500 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-01-10 10:36:262025-01-10 10:36:26UT Arlington Cooper Street Bridge
London, England

Grand Foyer in the Ambassador Building at Embassy Gardens

https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/23122736/Embassy-Gardens-2_edit2_min-grad.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1234 1849 Katie Barone https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Katie Barone2024-07-23 12:27:562024-11-13 10:25:39Grand Foyer in the Ambassador Building at Embassy Gardens
Miami, Florida

Mount Sinai Medical Center Parking Garage

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Washington D.C.

1700 Pennsylvania Avenue – The Mills Building

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Kansas City

Pembroke Hill Dining Hall

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50 Hudson Yards Terrace underneath the canopy.© Fedora Hat Photography
New York City

50 Hudson Yards Terrace

https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24112651/50-hudson-yards-DJI_0604-copyright-fedora-hat-grad-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1918 2560 Winifred Wright https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Winifred Wright2023-10-31 10:56:562025-03-12 09:45:3350 Hudson Yards Terrace
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Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio
Mountain View, CA

Google Bay View Campus

…
https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23083350/CREDIT_Iwan-Baan_Google-Bay-View-22-04_5816_Iwan-Baan_LR-mono.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1334 2000 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-04-25 10:39:052025-05-05 12:12:26Google Bay View Campus
Council Bluffs, Iowa

James Turrell Skyspace

https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24062220/james-turrell-sphere-7-min.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1512 2016 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-03-31 13:46:032025-04-24 11:33:17James Turrell Skyspace
Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio
Mountain View, CA

Google Bay View Campus

…
https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/23083350/CREDIT_Iwan-Baan_Google-Bay-View-22-04_5816_Iwan-Baan_LR-mono.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1334 2000 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-04-25 10:39:052025-05-05 12:12:26Google Bay View Campus
Council Bluffs, Iowa

James Turrell Skyspace

https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24062220/james-turrell-sphere-7-min.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=92&webp=85&ssl=1 1512 2016 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-03-31 13:46:032025-04-24 11:33:17James Turrell Skyspace
Stanford, California

Schwab Residential Center at Stanford Graduate School of Business

https://www.azahner.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/stanford-gsb-art-wall-9497-crop-mono-scaled.jpg 1706 2560 Alexandra Contreras https://e5awgs3wuhi.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24152838/logo.svg Alexandra Contreras2025-01-10 10:40:552025-05-01 23:07:43Schwab Residential Center at Stanford Graduate School of Business
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