M | Zahner

Schwab Residential Center at Stanford Graduate School of Business

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)

Grand Foyer in the Ambassador Building at Embassy Gardens

July 23, 2024/in Art & Sculpture Hospitality, Sculpture London--England Luis Bustamante Jan Hendrix White M 2016 /by Katie Barone

Located in London’s Nine Elms cultural district, the Embassy Gardens residential and commercial development features an award-winning lobby in the Ambassador Building across from the US Embassy.

Zahner collaborated with Luis Bustamante on the stunning lobby design which also features an art wall design by Jan Hendrix, illuminated by Gia Equation. Zahner crafted waterjet-cut aluminum panels, using 12mm recycled aluminum, with a white powder coating.

The panels feature a unique v-cut fold, giving a sculptural edge without welds, showcasing Zahner’s advanced machining technology. This seamless design enhances the forest canopy image as studied and designed by Hendrix. The project exemplifies innovative collaboration and sustainability, with all cut-out material recycled and the artwork designed for future recyclability.

Interior art wall featured within the lobby of the Embassy Gardens in London.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Close up of interior art wall featured in the Embassy Gardens. The image depicts a forest canopy.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Detailed side view of interior art wall.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Detail of the panels' v-cut, miter-like folded corners.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Pembroke Hill Dining Hall

March 26, 2024/in Art & Sculpture Education Kansas City Gould Evans Associates, Multistudio Jan Hendrix Silver M 2021 /by Katie Barone

Zahner’s latest metal artwork collaboration with world-renowned artist Jan Hendrix is now on display at Pembroke Hill’s new dining hall. Part of a $52 million campus addition, the stainless steel artwork dazzles passersby with its organic pattern and reflective allure.

When Pembroke Hill and a donor approached Zahner about introducing art as part of the sun shading system for the 37-foot high barrel-vaulted dining hall, Zahner engaged Hendrix for the project. Since Hendrix’s art is highly influenced by nature, he created two botanical images for the massive glass walls. Hendrix wanted the students to feel as if they were inside a living plant.

Zahner cut the images out of stainless steel and engineered layers of stainless steel and developed a method of holding the stainless steel panels in place with the glass walls. The end result was an incredible work of art on a budget that was not much more than that of a conventional horizontal sunscreen. All panels are accessible and removable.

The filtered light through the leaf-patterned veins fosters a soothing environment for daily student gatherings and other special events. The installation, blending nature and artistry, aims to captivate students and encourage a deeper connection with the environment.

CEO Bill Zahner is pleased to be part of the largest and most visible Hendrix work in Kansas City. “We’ve worked with him all over the world,” he said. “And now we have a beautiful piece in town that everyone can enjoy.”

Stainless steel screens over the windows of the Pembroke Hill dining hall, designed by artist Jan Hendrix.

Close-up view of the stainless steel screen system, showing the dual layers of screens.

Interior view of the Pembroke Hill dining hall and Jan Hendrix window installation.

Interior view of the metal screens system.

Exterior view of the Jan Hendrix installation.

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.

The Preservation Plaza Stage in Arnolds Park, Iowa.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

The preservation plaza creates a permanent event space within Arnolds park.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

THE PRESERVATION PLAZA STAGE IN ARNOLDS PARK, IOWA.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

THE PRESERVATION PLAZA STAGE IN ARNOLDS PARK, IOWA.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Mockup stainless steel skins were created to determine the best finish

Stainless steel skin mockup for THE PRESERVATION PLAZA.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Custom finished stainless steel skins.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

210012_Preservation Plaza_Skin Option 2_Close

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

210012_Preservation Plaza_Skin Option 1_Close

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

The Preservation Plaza Stage lights up the night

The Preservation Plaza Stage offers a one-of-a-kind concert setting.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY.

Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium

November 1, 2021/in Exterior Architecture Entertainment, Renovation, Sculpture, Zoo Omaha--Nebraska Smith Bourne & Associates Blue, Green, Grey, Orange, Silver, White M 2019 Featured /by dsegard

Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo

Originally built in 1995, renovations for the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium at the Omaha Zoo were completed in May 2020, featuring a redesigned facade, an updated outdoor cafeteria area, and new entrance features to the aquarium and aquarium conference center. As our third project in the Omaha metro area, Zahner provided various new design elements for this renovation, including the stainless steel wave facade on top of the building, the custom-cut metal coral features and column covers, the dimpled blue stainless steel cladding around the café, and the milled sea creatures that adorn the walls surrounding the space.

Completed Sea Turtle Cafe at the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Completed entrance sign for the aquarium, fabricated utilizing Zahner's ZEPPS system.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium exterior and Sea Turtle Cafe at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo at sunset.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Zahner was brought on early in the concept development stage to provide Design Assist, which allowed us to work closely with the project team to refine the design intent, provide guidance on materials and finishes, and construct a comprehensive mockup for review before the project went into full fabrication. Due to this collaboration, there were zero change orders on the scope, and installation ran smoothly in cooperation with the contractor and the other trades’ schedules.

Original sketch for the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium facade, by Mark Bourne.

Photo courtesy of Henry Doorly Zoo

Visual mockup for the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium facade, assembled in Zahner's Kansas City facility.

Night viewing of the mockup for the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium facade.

The freeform wave facade that sits atop the Sea Turtle Café was fabricated using Zahner’s ZEPPS™ technology, which combined the framing structure and the exterior skin into a complete curvilinear system. The individual wave units were pre-fabricated in our shop and shipped to the job site, where Zahner field technicians installed the full facade.

Zahner field workers install the wave facade on top of the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium.

PHOTO © A. ZAHNER COMPANY

Profile of the completed wave facade on top of the Sea Turtle Cafe at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

The face of the waves features a custom etched pattern that provides a reflective, rippling water effect.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

View of the Sea Turtle Cafe outdoor space at sunset with lighting.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Various multi-color lighting systems were incorporated into the design to emphasize the aquatic theme at night.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Decorative painted aluminum coral features adorn the edges of the café’s canopy and wrap the supporting columns. These were cut on our water jet before they were hand-rolled to the correct radius.

Custom-embossed blue stainless steel clads the walls of the Sea Turtle Café and mimics the look of rippling water. Zahner fabricated a custom die to create this seemingly random emboss pattern. This feature is further highlighted by the lighting throughout the space, creating a fully immersive experience for visitors.

Zahner also provided the various metal sea creatures that decorate the walls of the café and the entrance sign. Each sea creature was individually milled out of aluminum on our CNC equipment.

The dual-layered coral feaures were waterjet cut out of aluminum to clad the edge of the canopy.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Custom rippled blue stainless steel clads the ceiling of the outdoor cafe to create an underwater feel to the space.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Custom milled sea turtles and starfish against the rippled blue stainless steel cladding.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Zahner millled out several different sea creatures to decorate the walls of the cafe, including sharks, jellyfish, turtles, stingrays, and starfish.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

All elements of Zahner's scope are further emphasized at night time.

Photo by Alexandra Hoffman, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

In The Fold

September 27, 2021/in Sculpture Walnut Creek--California HKIT Architects Norie Sato Brown, Grey, Orange, Red, Silver M 2020 Featured /by dsegard

Viamonte at Walnut Creek Senior Living Folding Fence

This artwork entitled “In the Fold” was designed by renowned artist, Norie Sato, for the new Viamonte at Walnut Creek Senior Living Center in California. Zahner was brought on early in the design phase and provided design assist, engineering, and fabrication services for this project.

The fence is over 62 feet long, and over 7 feet tall at each peak. Inspired by the art of origami, the fence is comprised of dual-sided “Frost White” anodized aluminum and dual-sided Zahner Solanum™ weathering steel panels that are alternately folded to provide depth and an intricate profile. The branches pattern in the aluminum panels was waterjet cut while the leaves pattern on the Solanum panels was created using our ImageWall® custom-perforation technology.

"In the Fold" art fence at Viamonte Senior Living Center in Walnut Creek, CA.

Photo by Kevin Shea

The aluminum and steel panels are alternately folded to provide depth and an intricate profile.

Photo by Kevin Shea

Straight-on view of "In the Fold"

Photo by Kevin Shea

The branches pattern in the aluminum panels were waterjet cut.

Photo by Kevin Shea

The leaves pattern on the Solanum panels was created using our ImageWall® custom-perforation technology.

Photo by Kevin Shea

"In the Fold" has no front or back, and is made to be viewed from all angles.

Photo by Kevin Shea

The fence is comprised of dual-sided clear anodized aluminum and dual-sided Zahner Solanum™ weathering steel panels.

Photo by Kevin Shea

The detailed cutouts and patterns make for interesting and ever-changing shadows as the sun rises and sets.

Photo by Kevin Shea

Designed by Norie Sato, "In the Fold" is more than 62 feet in total length, and over 7 feet tall.

Photo by Kevin Shea

VCU Institute for Contemporary Art

April 12, 2021/in Exterior Architecture Education Richmond--Virginia Steven Holl Architects Grey, Silver M 2018 /by dsegard

The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University is a modern art gallery that provides a space and forum for dialogue and collaboration across the region and throughout the world.

VCU is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 217 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

$The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU$

The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

Designed by Steven Holl Architects, the building features 26,670 visual square feet of zinc façade on all the elevations. The exterior matte translucent glass and pre-weathered zinc skin share the same greenish-grey tonality, giving the building a shifting presence, from monolithic opaque to multifarious translucent, depending on the light.

$Zinc clad exterior walls and stair canopy$

Zinc clad exterior walls and stair canopy

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

$Zinc wall panels and zinc panels by Zahner$

Zinc wall panels and zinc panels by Zahner

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

$Zinc wall panel detail$

Zinc wall panel detail

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

$Complex surface geometry incorporated into the zinc panel system$

Complex surface geometry incorporated into the zinc panel system

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

In total, Zahner supplied 1,360 Rheinzink custom patinated zinc panels and 135 coping panels. Fabrication and installation ran smoothly in collaboration with Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal and Gilbane, where we worked closely with the construction team to achieve the correct curvature in the zinc skins. This process was enabled by our ZIFS system, which allows for more complex geometric forms and uses a series of parametrically designed fins to create the shape of an exterior.

$Zahner Internal Fin System (ZIFS) provided for complex geometry and zinc panel supports$

Zahner Internal Fin System (ZIFS) provided for complex geometry and zinc panel supports

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

$Zahner Internal Fin System (ZIFS) provided for complex geometry and zinc panel supports$

Zahner Internal Fin System (ZIFS) provided for complex geometry and zinc panel supports

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

$Zinc wall panel detail$

Zinc wall panel detail

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

$Zinc wall panel detail$

Zinc wall panel detail

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

$Zinc wall panel detail$

Zinc wall panel detail

Photo by Tex Jernigan, ARKO | © A. Zahner Company

The ICA of VCU has received multiple awards, including “Project of the Year” in the 2018 A+Awards and a 2018 AIA Virginia Merit Award, and a 2019 AIA New York Merit Award.

Zahner has done multiple projects with Steven Holl Architects, including the Daeyang Gallery and the Nelson Atkins Museum. The results are always incredible, and a great showcase of Zahner’s custom capabilities.

Seoul, South Korea

Daeyang Gallery

Kansas City, MO

One Sun / 34 Moons

Amherst College Science Center

March 17, 2021/in Exterior Architecture Education Amherst--Massachusetts Payette Brown, Orange, Red M 2019 /by dsegard

Amherst College’s new Science Center building opened in the fall of 2018. Designed by Payette, the building provides state-of-the-art facilities and spaces to accommodate the interdisciplinary partnerships that are becoming increasingly more important for new discoveries in science. The exterior is inviting for all faculty and students to gather from all over campus, with surrounding garden and courtyard spaces perfect for casual interaction that draw together the sciences and the wider college community as a whole.

Zahner engineered, fabricated, and installed the Solanum Steel™ façade that clads the building’s exterior. The panels were custom perforated on our laser cutter and then patinated in our Grand Prairie facility.

Custom perforated Solanum screen engineered, fabricated, and installed by Zahner

Photo by Matt Eames, ARKO | © A Zahner Company

Custom perforated Solanum screen engineered, fabricated, and installed by Zahner

Photo by Matt Eames, ARKO | © A Zahner Company

Amherst College’s new Science Center building opened in the fall of 2018

Photo by Matt Eames, ARKO | © A Zahner Company

Solanum is a hand-applied patina on weathering steel that is oxidized to the furthest achievable stage, making it more stable than the leading Cor-Ten trademarked by US Steel.