Exterior Architecture

Google Bay View Campus

Google’s Bay View Campus, located at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, and comprising three buildings, represents a significant milestone as the company’s first self-designed and built campus.

Opened in 2022 and spanning 1.1 million square feet over 42 acres, the campus was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of renowned architectural firms Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Heatherwick Studio.

Grounded in Google’s core themes of innovation, nature, and community, the design prioritizes flexibility. Team spaces are located on the upper level, with gathering areas below, balancing focus and collaboration. Varied floorplates on the second floor create adaptable “neighborhoods” that evolve with team needs. The layout ensures that no employee is more than a two-and-a-half-minute walk from any other, fostering spontaneous interactions and collaboration.

Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.

Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

Natural light floods the interiors through clerestory windows with “eyebrow” architectural elements crafted from Zahner’s Angel Hair® Stainless Steel, which add aesthetic appeal while diffusing sunlight to minimize glare.

Aerial view of Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.

Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

Zahner also provided Design Assist services to ensure constructability, while preserving design intent and considering budget. Zahner collaborated with BIG and Heatherwick designers, as well as general contractor Whiting-Turner, on material selection, fabrication details, engineering, and installation.

The Zahner team inspects progress on installation of the Angel Hair eyebrows.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Modular construction facilitated efficient installation of the eyebrows.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Another standout feature of the campus is its distinctive “dragonscale” roof, composed of approximately 50,000 custom-designed solar panels, manufactured by SunStyle. This innovative roofing not only generates nearly seven megawatts of energy but also enhances insulation and reduces thermal heat gain.

Zahner Angel Hair eyebrows and Google's custom-designed dragonscale solar skin roofing.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

The Zahner team inspecting the Angel Hair eyebrows at Bay View during construction.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Dragonscale building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar shingles, manufactured by SunStyle, clad the roof at Google's Bay View.

Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

Zahner Angel Hair eyebrows and Google's custom-designed dragonscale solar skin roofing.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

The campus is also home to North America’s largest geothermal pile system, which efficiently manages heating and cooling needs, leading to a projected 50% reduction in carbon emissions and saving an estimated five million gallons of water annually. Furthermore, the campus aims to replenish 120% of its water usage by 2030 through on-site recycled water systems.

Aerial view of Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.

Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

The Google Bay View Campus has earned LEED-NC v4 Platinum certification, making it the largest building in the world to hold this certification. It’s also on track to become the largest facility ever to achieve the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge (LBC) Water Petal Certification.

Panoramic view of Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.

Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

Google’s Bay View Campus stands as a testament to the company’s vision of integrating cutting-edge design with sustainability and employee-centric spaces, setting a new benchmark for future workplace environments.

Panoramic view of Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.

Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

Panoramic view of Google Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.

Photo © Iwan Baan, Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio

James Turrell Skyspace

March 31, 2025/in Art & Sculpture, Exterior Architecture Private Art Council Bluffs--Iowa James Turrell Silver 2020 /by Alexandra Contreras

James Turrell is a master of light and space. He is known for his immersive installations, which explore the interplay of light, form, and human perception. These installations create ethereal environments that invite awareness and contemplation.

In 2020, Zahner had the unique opportunity to collaborate on a Turrell project for a private residence. The challenge was constructing a massive stainless steel sphere to enclose one of his signature oculus light installations. The goal was to craft a seamless, immersive space where form, materiality, and light converge into a one-of-a-kind sensory experience.

The sphere is clad with in Zahner Angel Hair Stainless Steel panels.

PHOTO ©️ A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Turrell provided exact specifications to ensure the sphere’s geometric purity. Zahner’s engineering team shaped the structure using ZEPPS (Zahner Engineered Profile Panel System) and cladded the exterior with Angel Hair® Stainless Steel panels to match the client’s home’s aesthetic. Every detail was meticulously considered to maintain the integrity of Turrell’s vision.

The 14' dual-curved oculus cover features intricate patterning rendered with Angel Hair panels.

PHOTO ©️ A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

The sphere during construction at Zahner's headquarters in Kansas City.

PHOTO ©️ A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Inside the sphere, a custom-designed teak and stone bench, built by Matt Castilleja of Castilleja Furniture and Objects, was installed for visitors to sit and experience the space. A stone floor and a whisper-quiet HVAC system were incorporated to create a comfortable yet undisturbed environment.

The project also includes a custom aluminum table and a viewing deck with a glass handrail, designed in collaboration with Wallace E. Cunningham. But perhaps the most striking feature is the oculus—a perfectly curved stainless steel cone with a circular aperture that allows light to enter and interact with the space dynamically. The oculus required precision filing to achieve the desired effect, creating a razor-thin edge that enhances the illusion of infinite depth.

A custom-designed teak and stone bench by Castilleja Furniture and Objects provides seating inside the sphere.

PHOTO ©️ A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

The oculus — the core feature of Turrell's artwork — creates an ever-changing experience of light within the sphere.

PHOTO ©️ A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Two of the project’s most complex engineering feats were the entry door and the oculus cover. Designed with the help of artist and inventor Chuck Hoberman, the curved entry door operates with seamless precision, retracting effortlessly while maintaining the sphere’s curvature. The custom hardware allows the door to be opened from either side, ensuring functionality and aesthetic continuity.

The oculus cover, a 14-foot dual-curved dome, was designed to withstand wind and snow loads while maintaining smooth operation. Zahner fabricated a curved track system to match the sphere’s contours, ensuring that the cover glides smoothly into place. Extensive testing was conducted in Zahner’s workshop before the final installation, guaranteeing flawless functionality.

This remarkable project is a testament to what can be achieved when artistic brilliance meets innovative engineering.

The entrance to the sphere features a curved door that seals the viewers within the experience.

PHOTO ©️ A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Schwab Residential Center at Stanford Graduate School of Business

January 10, 2025/in Exterior Architecture Education, Public Art Stanford--California Legorreta Arquitectos Frida Escobedo Brown, Purple M 2016 /by Alexandra Contreras

Zahner collaborated with Legorreta Arquitectos and artist Frida Escobedo to bring the Schwab Residential Center’s Davis Courtyard vision to life at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

In the Davis Courtyard, Zahner engineered and fabricated a Solanum® Steel wall inspired by the sound of striking a picket fence, designed to “sing” when interacted with. Working closely with Escobedo, Zahner developed a dynamic mechanism using weathering steel plates and tuned metal tubes to produce distinct notes. All surfaces were preweathered in Zahner’s Texas facility.

Zahner also created a striking custom entryway from a custom aluminum extrusion. This element was finished in a purple powder-coated paint. All elements were engineered, fabricated, and installed by Zahner, ensuring durability and artistic integrity.

Schwab Residential Center at Stanford Graduate School of Business

Scottsdale Civic Center

January 10, 2025/in Exterior Architecture Civic, Performance Center Scottsdsale--Arizona Dig-- Studio, Lake|Flato White M 2023 /by Alexandra Contreras

Lake|Flato and Dig Studio collaborated with the City of Scottsdale to transform the Civic Center into a vibrant, family-friendly green space and premier event destination in Scottsdale’s Historic Old Town. Zahner provided engineering, fabrication, and installation expertise for key architectural elements, enhancing the park’s artistic and structural identity.

Surrounded by significant cultural and civic institutions, the Civic Center’s design connects the city, the arts, and the community in a unified space. The Civic Center features multiple pavilions, including a new multifunctional 360-degree event structure. These purposefully designed spaces come together to create a cohesive and welcoming environment.

Aerial view of the Scottsdale Civic Center.

Lighting emphasizes the sculptural qualities of the pavilions at night.

The perforations in the pavilions create dappled shade.

Eaves made of the same panel material as the pavilions creates an cohesive aesthetic.

Detail view of the pavilion structure during the day.

Detail view of one of the pavilions at night.

Aerial view of the multifunction event space.

UT Arlington Cooper Street Bridge

January 10, 2025/in Exterior Architecture Education Arlington--Texas BRW Architects Silver M 2024 /by Alexandra Contreras

At the University of Texas at Arlington, the Cooper Street Bridges were revitalized to reflect the vibrancy of the campus and surrounding community. BRW Architects, in partnership with SpawGlass, designed and executed the transformation, featuring Zahner’s precision-engineered ImageWall® perforated metal panels.

These panels depict a dynamic stampede of Mavericks, celebrating UTA’s spirit and identity. Zahner fabricated the custom panels, ensuring their durability and artistic quality, contributing to the project’s clean, modern aesthetic. This Imagewall application includes panels fabricated from 14-gauge 304 alloy stainless steel with Zahner’s Angel Hair® finish and features Zahner’s Cross-Seam Perf™ technology. The Drop & Lock™ system was the best hardware solution, with the mullions spanning the distance between horizontal steel, allowing the panels to be easily installed by the University’s preferred installer.

Enhanced by new lighting, UTA logos, and updated finishes, the bridges now serve as iconic campus landmarks, welcoming students, staff, and visitors to this thriving university community.

UT Arlington Cooper Street Bridge featuring ImageWall perforated metal panels.

PHOTO ©️ Parrish Ruiz de Velasco (parrch.com)

UT Arlington Cooper Street Bridge

PHOTO ©️ Parrish Ruiz de Velasco (parrch.com)

UT Arlington Cooper Street Bridge

PHOTO ©️ Parrish Ruiz de Velasco (parrch.com)

The perforated panels are made from Zahner's Angel Hair, a diffuse finish on stainless steel.

PHOTO ©️ Parrish Ruiz de Velasco (parrch.com)

Mount Sinai Medical Center Parking Garage

May 1, 2024/in Exterior Architecture Parking Garage Miami--Florida Netta Architects Thom Faulders Studio White L 2024 /by Katie Barone

Zahner’s latest collaboration with facade designer Faulders Studio and KVC Constructors has produced the stunning Mount Sinai Medical Center Parking Garage Facade in Miami Beach, Florida. The 6-story, 929-automobile Employee Parking Garage is enveloped by a nearly 27,000 sq ft facade that covers three elevations of the parking structure, conceptualized by Netta Architects.

Positioned near the bustling Julia Tuttle Expressway, the facade’s sweeping contours echo the continuous flow of passing vehicles and the soothing waters of Biscayne Bay. The facade’s design blends broad horizontal lines with dynamic geometric contours, accentuated by a series of projected fins that create shadows throughout the day and provide a sense of movement. This visually arresting pattern complements and enhances the architectural landscape of the Mount Sinai Medical Center campus.

The facade’s design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, allowing natural ventilation and daylight penetration. The structure maintains a balance between its functional role and its architectural presence, aiming to support and supplement the other medical buildings nearby.

Facade lighting at night on Mount Sinai Medical Center Parking Garage in Miami Beach, Florida

Photography courtesy of Miami In Focus, Inc. – Peter Leifer, Cheryl Stieffel

Mount Sinai Medical Center Parking Garage Facade in Miami Beach, Florida

Photography courtesy of Miami In Focus, Inc. – Peter Leifer, Cheryl Stieffel

Mount Sinai's Parking Garage allows for natural ventilation and daylight penetration

Photography courtesy of Miami In Focus, Inc. – Peter Leifer, Cheryl Stieffel

Detail view of facade mounting hardware on Mount Sinai's Parking Garage

Photography courtesy of Miami In Focus, Inc. – Peter Leifer, Cheryl Stieffel

50 Hudson Yards Terrace

October 31, 2023/in Exterior Architecture Corporate New York City Kevin Daly Architects, Kohn Pedersen Fox Silver S 2022 /by Winifred Wright

Located on the 51st floor of 50 Hudson Yards, this canopy was designed by Kevin Daly Architects and built for Meta New York.

Because of unique geometry requirements Zahner was brought on to solve the dilemma of how to weld and curve 11-gauge mirror stainless steel without affecting the delicate finish.

The canopy utilizes over 400 of Zahner’s Drop & Lock™ panels as well as custom perforations with Louvered ZIRA™ patterned tabs. Each panel is uniquely welded, formed, and bent to create a sense of movement across the mirror surface in addition to reflecting back the landscaping below.

To avoid reflectivity issues on the top side of the canopy Zahner’s proprietary Angel Hair® Stainless Steel finish was used as a light-diffusing option.

The bottom side of the canopy features perforated mirror polish stainless steel.

The top of the 50 Hudson Yards terrace canopy features Zahner's Angel Hair stainless steel to mitigate reflectivity.

The 50 Hudson Yards Terrace canopy's underside panel perforations were created with Zahner's Louvered ZIRA™ technology.

Aerial view of the 50 Hudson Yards terrace canopy.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

DTE Dearborn Central Energy Plant

October 19, 2023/in Exterior Architecture Automotive, Industrial Dearborn--Michigan OPN Architects Silver L 2020 /by Winifred Wright

DTE Dearborn Central Energy Plant is a new energy plant on Ford Motor Company’s campus in Dearborn, Michigan. The new facility is part of a modernization of the campus.

OPN approached Zahner as a design assist partner to help “beautify” the new Central Energy Plant by adding a series of twisted fins developed to clad the precast building with large windows. Zahner responded by providing design iterations for the twisted fins, engineering input, and multiple mockups. The fins provide an aesthetic signifying visual movement desired by the design team as well as shading the window areas and providing thermal comfort for occupants.

The DTE Dearborn Central Energy Plant, featuring a fin facade system by Zahner.

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

Detail of the Fin Facade on the DTE Central Energy Plant

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

DTE Central Energy Plant

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

Fin Facade on the DTE Central Energy Plant

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

Angel Hair Stainless Steel complements industrial elements at the DTE Central Energy Plant

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

DTE Central Energy Plant at night

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

DTE Central Energy Plant entrance

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

DTE Central Energy Plant fin facade

Photo by Andre Sigur | ARKO

University of Houston-Clear Lake Central Plant Expansion

May 3, 2023/in Exterior Architecture Education Houston--Texas CannonDesign Silver S 2018 /by dsegard

FKP Architects, now a part of CannonDesign, engaged Zahner to create a perforated façade that provides required ventilation on the University of Houston-Clear Lake central power plant extension.

The ImageWall landscape image depicting branches from a large oak tree, which is the predominate tree on the University of Houston-Clear Lake campus, is on the east elevation of the central plant expansion.

This Imagewall application includes panels fabricated from Champagne Anodized Aluminum and features Zahner’s Cross-Seam Perf™ technology. The Drop & Lock™ system was the best hardware solution, with the mullions spanning the height of the openings and panels were easily installed by the University’s preferred installer.

ImageWall installation on the Clear Lake Central Plant building.

Photo by Tejas Doshi | ARKO

The tree canopy pattern on the ImageWall panels echoes the finish on the building facade and the landscaping nearby.

Photo by Tejas Doshi | ARKO

Cross-Seam Perf™ eliminates unperforated borders around each panel, which can obscure imagery on a large panel grid.

Photo by Tejas Doshi | ARKO

Zahner's Drop & Lock™ panel hardware was used for mounting the perforated ImageWall panels.

Photo by Tejas Doshi | ARKO

The prepared photo, looking up through tree branches, that was used to create the ImageWall perforation layout.

The prepared photo that was used to create the ImageWall perforation layout.

Completed ImageWall installation.

Photo by Tejas Doshi | ARKO

Preservation Plaza

February 9, 2023/in Art & Sculpture, Exterior Architecture Performance Center, Public Art, Sculpture Arnolds Park--Iowa RDG Planning & Design Silver, White M 2022 /by Jeneane Dunlap

The Preservation Plaza Stage offers a one-of-a-kind concert setting with the backdrop of West Lake Okoboji’s blue waters glistening in the background. The desire by the Historic Arnolds Park Incorporation (HAPI) and RDG Planning & Design to transform the area into a permanent event space has been realized from what was previously a green space frequented by lake goers for events.

Through a Zahner Assist engagement, Zahner worked with RDG to develop and refine the 6,400 square foot amphitheater that resembles the lake waves above and wooden boat hulls below. Nestled within the structural steel bays are Zahner’s patented aluminum ZEPPS. The structure finishes out with custom finished stainless steel flat seamroof panels, painted aluminum perimeter fascia, and columns covers.

Incorporated within Zahner’s work is the phenolic soffit system underneath which required intricate coordination with the provider. Apart from the structural steel and phenolic system, Zahner self-performed the installation over the course of six months and the project was completed in September of 2022. The Preservation Plaza Stage offers yet another unique experience to the charm and delight of the area and serves as a cornerstone anchoring the park for enjoyment by future generations.