Exterior Architecture

Guggenheim Canopy

December 30, 2016/in Art & Sculpture, Exterior Architecture Museum, Public Art New York City Frank Gehry Partners Rose, Yellow M 2001 /by cmorris

Guggenheim Canopy at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Canopy, designed by Frank Gehry Partners, is a Zahner-manufactured installation which was on view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City beginning in 2001. The artwork was erected for a Frank Gehry retrospective at the Museum in May-August, 2001. In addition to providing the canopy, Zahner also manufactured a number of mirror-polish stainless steel tables for the rooftop cafe.

The canopy artwork was manufactured using a titanium skin and aluminum structure. The form was made using ZEPPS, the Zahner-patented technology for building sculptural forms. This system was used to build the aluminum structure. The titanium was then clad over the aluminum substrate using a custom flat seam system.

The titanium’s luminescent coloring was made possible by a thick layer of oxide on the metal surface. There are two distinct overlapping forms, and each is colored using a unique color of titanium-cladding made by varying the oxide thicknesses. This oxide process is called interference-coating, and can be used to create a range of iridescent colors on stainless steels and titanium surfaces.

Guggenheim Canopy during its installation at the Guggenheim in NYC.

Detail of the two color tones used on the Guggenheim Canopy.

Guggenheim Canopy during its installation.

Guggenheim Canopy at the Zahner facility in Kansas City.

Structural bones of the Guggenheim Canopy.

Fresno City Hall

December 30, 2016/in Exterior Architecture Government Fresno--California Arthur Erickson, Lew & Patnaude Architects Silver XL 1992 /by cmorris

Fresno City Hall in Historic Fresno, California

The Fresno City Hall, designed by Arthur Erickson, features a number of Zahner-manufactured systems throughout the interior and exterior of the building. Developed with associate architects Lew & Patnaude and Edwin S. Darden & Associates, the building includes a massive stainless steel roof and facade with a muted finish provided by Zahner. The 300,000 SF structure is five stories high, and measures 66′ at its highest point.

Aluminum and stainless steel custom details can be seen throughout the interior and exterior. Zahner provided not only the exterior stainless steel metalwork, but also its interior stainless steel metalwork and staircase.

Related Project

Museum of Glass

Zahner produced the metalwork for the glass bridge as well as the massive cone which can be identified throughout the downtown area. The cone was manufactured in stainless steel diamond panel system which was attached to a ZEPPS structural framework, each made by Zahner.

The building includes a range of metal details provided by Zahner. The metal aspects of its building envelope, the custom columns at its rear entrance, various soffit and metal cladding, awnings, mullions, and transoms.

All of these metal components are designed and fabricated to endure the test of time. This building was completed in 1991, but the photographs below were taken in 2016, nearly thirty years after the project’s completion. The images are a testament to the durability and longevity of stainless steel.

Aerial photo of Fresno City Hall in Fresno, California.

An shaded walkway covers both the South and North (pictured) wings of the Fresno City Hall exterior.

Details of the metalwork for Fresno City Hall.

Bullnose stainless steel details, Fresno City Hall.

Custom mullion and soffit on Fresno City Hall.

Custom stainless steel column and light fixtures on the Northeast elevation of Fresno City Hall.

Stainless steel column systems for Fresno City Hall.

Custom stainless steel column-clad system for Fresno City Hall.

Custom bullnose mullion and soffit details.

Custom mullion details for the Fresno City Hall curtainwall.

Corinthian Hall

December 30, 2016/in Exterior Architecture Historic, Renovation, Restoration Kansas City International Architects Atelier Green M 2006 /by cmorris

Corinthian Hall Canopy at Kansas City Museum

Originally constructed as a residence by lumber magnate R.A. Long in 1910, Corinthian Hall was donated to the Kansas City Museum Association in 1939 by Long’s two daughters. In 1948, the building was deeded to the City of Kansas City after museum funds were determined to be insufficient in maintaining the estate.

In 1996 International Architects Atelier was commissioned to conduct a restoration study and provide a preliminary cost estimate for restoration of the various estate buildings, including the main house, carriage house and stables, caretaker’s house, carpenter’s workshop, conservatory, pergola and limestone and wrought iron fence surrounding the three-acre estate.

Zahner was brought in to work on restoration of the Corinthian Hall canopy through MTS Contracting. The canopy restoration was part of a larger master plan for the historic restoration and adaptive renovation of Corinthian Hall into a mixed-use facility, incorporating elements of a traditional historic house-museum with modern elements.

Corinthian Hall historic restoration with replacement glass and patinated copper-alloy.

Corinthian Hall canopy at the Kansas City Museum.

Historic restoration of the Corinthian Hall porte cochère.

Historic restoration detail of the Corinthian Hall porte cochére.

Corinthian Hall’s beautifully elaborate cast bronze porté cochére canopy over the west porch was removed from its original mountings and transported to Zahner where the historic pieces were cleaned and restored with respect to its original design. Work included the re-creation of the deteriorated, original structural support system from stainless steel, re-casting and re-patination of several missing elements, and re-wiring of the original electrical service.

Using historic photographs for reference, fragments of the original glass were used to recreate the canopy glazing from a UV-stable, non-yellowing resin material, which replicates the appearance of the original glass while providing superior strength against breakage.

Corinthian Hall in 1912, showing the porte cochère on the building's west facade

Corinthian Hall porte cochère seen today.

Carmen’s Garden

December 30, 2016/in Exterior Architecture Highrise, Residential Asia, Hong Kong, International RMJM Architecture S 1998 /by cmorris

Carmen’s Garden residential towers in Hong Kong

Working with Eton Properties and RMJM Hong Kong Limited, Zahner provided a custom laser-cut stainless steel feature wall for Carmen’s Garden residences in Hong Kong. Built in 1997, the building complex consists of 3 residential towers housing a total of 190 units.

Zahner provided the art features at the building’s ground level. These custom stainless steel details were developed for the exterior garden and interior courtyard. Located on the Kowloon peninsula in Hong Kong, the artwork was developed to provide an artistic backdrop for the residence entry.

Rather than decorate a monotonous concrete wall, RMJM saw an opportunity to create a streetscape urban sculpture related to the landscaped quality of the surroundings. The design started as an abstract drawing of a tree inspired by Chinese paper-cutting. It developed into a 5 meter high pierced screen of stainless steel.

The artwork serves as a screen to protect the MEP machinery behind and intensifies the effect of the planting in front. The outer layer has a hairline brushed finish, and the inner layer has a mirror finish which reflects the exterior layer of stainless steel. This created the impression of multiple recessive planes. — Details of Architecture

Related System

Carmen’s Garden

Detail of the custom laser-cut stainless steel panels at Carmen's Garden.

Ground-level art wall at the Carmen's Garden residences.

Baron BMW Showroom

December 30, 2016/in Exterior Architecture, Interior Architecture Automotive Kansas City Cary Goodman, Gould Evans Associates Silver M, S 2000 /by cmorris

The Baron BMW Showroom in Merriam, Kansas was designed by Cary Goodman, principal at Gould Evans Goodman. Completed in 2000, the design features a wide range of custom metalwork developed with Zahner.

Zahner was brought into the project to manufacture the perforated aluminum custom railing and guardrail. The guardrail uses a custom square punch die and has a standard satin finish. Zahner constructed and installed the perforated handrail screens and associated decorative trim.

The plate aluminum system is an example of smaller-scale fabrication capabilities for Zahner engineers and fabricators in Kansas City.

Interior looking up at the Baron BMW Showroom in Merriam, Kansas

Detail of the aluminum metalwork at the Baron BMW Showroom

Custom guardrail screens in perforated aluminum

Detail of the handrail screens in square perf

Handrail screens with custom perforations in aluminum

Detail of the satin aluminum and leather handrail for Baron BMW in Merriam, Kansas

Spencer Art Museum

December 27, 2016/in Exterior Architecture, Landscape Architecture Museum Lawrence--Kansas Pei Cobb Freed L. William Zahner Blue-grey, Grey, White S 2015 /by cmorris

University of Kansas Spencer Art Museum Renovation

Custom raw zinc plate planters were designed and fabricated by Zahner for the renovation of the Spencer Museum as part of the new landscape for the building. New donor plaques were also engraved for the Museum.

In 2010, the Spencer Museum partnered with architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners to develop a master renovation and expansion plan for its spaces. In April 2015, the Museum closed to the public for renovation. This 16-month project addressed the first part of the master plan and marked the first major renovation since the building’s opening.

Zahner was brought into the project by the Museum to provide landscape design. The company developed a design for the planters, and fabricated and delivered the zinc plate system. The zinc plates develop a white oxide layer, and will continue to weather and patina into a subtle grey-green over the years.

Gaines Residence

December 26, 2016/in Exterior Architecture, Interior Architecture Renovation, Residential, Urban Design Columbia--Missouri J.E. Cundiff Black, Silver M 2001 /by cmorris

Gaines Residence in Columbia, Missouri

The Gaines Residence is a unique home design and renovation in Columbia Missouri which features Zahner metalwork throughout its interior and exterior. Designed by architect J.E. Cundiff, the residence uses two custom stainless steel surfaces: a hand-polished abrasive polish on stainless steel, and a black interference stainless steel with mirror polish. The mirror polish on the stainless steel is the highest polish available for stainless steel, a #9 polish.

Each of these custom surfaces are used sparingly and in alteration to provide elegant accents the the residence. Zahner was hired to provide each of these stainless steel fabricated elements, as well as the custom railing, tree grates, and interior metalwork and various metal scopes within the residence.

Rear porch of the Gaines Residence in Columbia, Missouri.

Black mirror interference stainless steel clads both the interior and exterior of the Gaines Residence

The residence is framed through stainless steel buttresses of each of thew two finishes. These views which frame the north and east profiles of the home.

The building started off as a renovation, but the design transformation was fairly radical. The living and dining rooms open up to the front terrace with redbud trees which rise through custom, stainless-steel tree grates.

“By the time we were done, there was one wall of the original main floor left… At first glance the structure appears to give a nod to Phillip Johnson, while experiencing the home suggests possibly more influence from Arthur C. Clarke,”
— Architect J.E. Cundiff discussing the Gaines Residence

Although technically a renovation, much of the original building was replaced. The project is majority new construction in innovative materials and custom fabrication. Expansive views of the surrounding forestry were created by using large glass, butt-glazed corners in many areas of the house.

Details of the Handrails for Gaines Residence

Custom tree gate planter for the tree surrounds at Gaines Residence

Architect's drawings of the Gaines Residence show north and east elevation

Detail of the custom guardrails for Gaines Residence

Custom metal and glass table for the Gaines Residence

NMSU Theatre

December 26, 2016/in Exterior Architecture, Interior Architecture Education, LEED, Performance Center Las Cruces--New Mexico Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture Silver M 2014 /by cmorris

Center for the Arts at New Mexico State University THEATRE

The Center for the Arts at NMSU Theatre is a design by Malcolm Holzman which includes a series of Zahner-manufactured custom railings. The new building is located at the corner of University Avenue and Espina Street.

The project, lead by Malcolm Holzman of Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture includes an earth-toned aesthetic with custom guardrail designs developed and manufactured by Zahner for the new performance and rehearsal center.

The three-story state of the art academic building is 59,000 gross square feet with a large performance space for theater and dance, which has an orchestra pit and trap room, orchestra level, two balconies and fly tower. The building also features a large rehearsal room, classrooms, office and back-of-the-house supporting areas.

Detail of the custom undulated steel curtains used on the Center for the Arts at NMSU.

Interior of the theater at NMSU Center for the Arts.

THE MARK AND STEPHANIE MEDOFF THEATRE

The building’s main auditorium, The Mark and Stephanie Medoff Theatre, is a 466-seat theater lined by 4 levels of balcony seating. These balconies were outfitted by Zahner using a metal curtain system developed for creating billowing aesthetics on a small scale.

INTERIOR BALCONY CUSTOM RAILINGS

Lining each of the theater’s balconies are a series of artistic guardrails developed with Zahner. These artistic guardrails served as a creative solution referencing the theater curtain. The design was developed with Zahner using the custom zinc-plated mesh, which was formed by hand and then stiffened using a galvanic cladding process.

EXTERIOR TERRACES CUSTOM RAILINGS

The building’s three exterior terraces are lined with the same custom guardrail design used for the interior balconies.

The building received a LEED Gold Certification. The New Mexico State University Center for the Arts was completed in 2012 for the New Mexico State Centennial.

Midland Theatre

December 15, 2016/in Art & Sculpture, Exterior Architecture Historic, Performance Center, Renovation, Restoration Kansas City BNIM Tom Corbin Gold, Orange S 1987 /by cmorris

Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland

Midland Theatre is a historic 3,573-seat theater located in the Power & Light District of Kansas City, Missouri. The building was originally designed by Boller Bros, and has at various states been restored and renovated.

In 1987, Zahner was brought in by BNIM and and artist Tom Corbin to develop the custom architectural metal for the historic theater’s restoration.
Working from historic photographs, Zahner worked to carefully detail new fabricated components for the building’s metal marquee. Zahner artisans fabricated these parts in sheet brass and muntz, working to integrate the molded brass features cast by Tom Corbin in his foundry.
The end result is a golden marquee which resonates with the building’s original 1927 appearance.

Midtown Theatre Marquee restored to its 1927 appearance.

Restored Midland Theatre in the early 1990's.

Zahner fabricators put the finishing touches on the Midtown canopy

Detail of the cast bronze, brass and sheet Muntz Metal fabrication.

120 North LaSalle

December 14, 2016/in Exterior Architecture, Interior Architecture Highrise, LEED Chicago--Illinois Murphy-Jahn Architects Gold M 1992 /by cmorris

muntz metal details in Chicago, Illinois

The high-rise at 120 North LaSalle was designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects and is LEED Gold® certified. Zahner provided exterior signage with an integrated lighting sconce in muntz metal to highlight the building’s address, entryway, and mosaic mural by Roger Brown.

Additional ceiling system elements, also created in muntz, were installed within the building interior. Paul Gapp of the Chicago Tribune, profiled the project, lauding the building’s unique design solutions:

“Helmut Jahn`s newest Chicago building at 120 N. LaSalle St. is a robust example of how good architecture can spring from the solution of difficult if prosaic problems.”