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R&D

MaterialComposer

Zahner projects are composed of a small number of base metals: Steel, Aluminum, Zinc, and Copper. From there the list grows with a select set of alloys like Stainless Steel (304, 316), Weathering Steel (A606, A588), Anodized Quality Aluminum, Brass, Silicon Bronze, etc. Once you add the varying finishes, coatings, and surface treatments, thousands of options become available for use on architectural projects.

This versatility makes metal cladding a great solution for a multitude of projects, but it also makes for an overwhelming task for designers to search, source, and specify. Since architectural metal is just one of the materials used on a project, the design space explodes to millions of options and combinations with the addition of woods, stones, composites, plants, etc. Exploring the ecosystem of material combinations is a monumental undertaking and a potential rabbit hole for design professionals.

MaterialComposer collage technique demonstrating quick iteration and exploration of material palettes.

MaterialComposer collage technique demonstrating quick iteration and exploration of material palettes.

Inspired by tools like Coolors.co and Adobe Color—the Labs Team wondered if the same iterative exploratory method used for color combination mixing would be effective for architectural materials. Working with the designer Chris Ference, we have built a simple web tool to explore the vast design space of material selection and comparison. Our core goal was to make exploration effortless, surprising, and fun—while making sourcing, selection and specification a breeze.

Currently we have loaded Zahner’s proprietary metal Surfaces along with a handful of wood, stone, tile, concrete, and plant life. This initial material library provides thousands of potential combinations. By pressing the shuffle button, materials are randomly swapped to produce new iterations. Materials of interest can be locked along the way to narrow the design space for versioning and comparison.

Mood boards or material sample nolling provides a simple method for exploring material interaction and comparison.

Mood boards or material sample nolling provides a simple method for exploring material interaction and comparison.

App Walkthrough

Curious how it works? Watch a short video walkthrough with Sebastian Muñoz from Architype — our Zahner West Coast representative.

MaterialComposer App

Hit “shuffle” below, then press your spacebar to begin exploring

Please visit page on desktop to use the composer

Room scale collage examples with various materials.

Room scale collage examples with various materials.

Once an interesting composition is found, a screenshot can be downloaded along with the Rhino material files for inclusion and refinement in your rendering workflow. Material specifications are available for Zahner’s in-house surfaces, and our sales engineering group can help advise on additional metal treatments, coatings, and finishing methods.

Using techniques of collage at three scales (detail, room, landscape) we sidestep problems of ray tracing and high computational requirements. Instead we propose a whimsical beginning to project material selection where designers can meander around the design space with a workflow that is fun and functional.

We will continue to add materials, as well as begin to organize our past project material database to provide excellent jumping-off points. We would also love to know any suggestions you have for materials to add.

Simplified Search, Source, & Specification

All information needed for moving forward with Zahner on your project.

Downloadable Rhino Materials for incorporation into project renderings and material specifications for project documentation and coordination.

Missing your favorite material?

Use the form to request additions to the MaterialComposer ecosystem (plants too!).

We’ll continue to update the composer with periodic material additions.

Please read our Privacy Policy for detailed info on how we use and manage data about you: azahner.com/privacy-policy.
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TaubmanEXTERIOR PATINATED ZINC SURFACE, ROANO ZINC.
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Zinc Guide Part 3: Innovative Zinc Patinas & Finishes, And the World’s Most Interesting Architecture

…
Custom patinated zinc and aluminum panels adorn the parking facade for Children's Hospital Richmond Pavilion.
Education

Open Area Calculations for Perforated Metal Panels & Why They’re Important

…
TaubmanEXTERIOR PATINATED ZINC SURFACE, ROANO ZINC.
Education

Zinc Guide Part 3: Innovative Zinc Patinas & Finishes, And the World’s Most Interesting Architecture

…
Custom patinated zinc and aluminum panels adorn the parking facade for Children's Hospital Richmond Pavilion.
Education

Open Area Calculations for Perforated Metal Panels & Why They’re Important

…
The Hunter Museum, clad in Zahner's preweathered Hunter Zinc.Ɱ, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license, edited.
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Zinc Guide Part 2: The Intriguing Attributes, Alloys & Finishes of Zinc

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12
TaubmanEXTERIOR PATINATED ZINC SURFACE, ROANO ZINC.
Education

Zinc Guide Part 3: Innovative Zinc Patinas & Finishes, And the World’s Most Interesting Architecture

…
Custom patinated zinc and aluminum panels adorn the parking facade for Children's Hospital Richmond Pavilion.
Education

Open Area Calculations for Perforated Metal Panels & Why They’re Important

…
The Hunter Museum, clad in Zahner's preweathered Hunter Zinc.Ɱ, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license, edited.
Education

Zinc Guide Part 2: The Intriguing Attributes, Alloys & Finishes of Zinc

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