Silver | Zahner

Cerner Headquarters

August 15, 2016/in Art & Sculpture, Exterior Architecture Flagship, Workplace Kansas City Gould Evans Associates Silver M, S 2005 /by cmorris

Signage for Cerner Headquarters Vision Center Forum Portals

The Cerner Corporation World Headquarters is designed by Gould Evans and features Zahner-manfufactured signage systems. Zahner produced this uniquely perforated stainless steel sculpture and sign for the Cerner Corporation in North Kansas City.

Two sculptural navigational displays were built: a small corner entrance sign adjacent to the building’s main entrance, and a large signage system visible from the nearby highway. This larger sign features an illuminated Cerner logo mounted on the perforated stainless steel screen wall.

Each of the displays were fabricated by Zahner using ZIRA, a patented technology developed by Zahner creating perforated imagery. The architects and client designed a non-repeating pattern of 1’s and 0’s, binary code in a non-repeating pattern. Zahner developed a process to rapidly punch the numbers using multiple dies.

Detail of the perforated metal signage system at Cerner Headquarters.

Cerner signage wall at the Cerner World Headquarters.

Detail of the perforated metal system used for Cerner Headquarters.

Detail of the Cerner World Headquarters signage wall.

The larger of the two displays, visible from the end of 210 Highway in North Kansas City, was produced with lighting systems embedded in the aluminum and stainless steel framework. Pictured above and below are photos of the signage at night, and during the day. As cars drive by, it appears to flash and animate due to the lights parallactic relationship with the perforations.

The complete system for the 61′ long sign structure comprises 72 panels supported vertically by stainless steel structural fins of varying depth and shape. Each panel is constructed from 18-gauge stainless steel, with a perforation pattern generated from a random sequence of binary code.

The display closest to the building features a DNA strand within the sign, visible as an orange tube. The structure was built with 1/4″ aluminum fins, attached to square tubes which create the sign’s profile. The face of the fins were installed with 14 gauge Angel Hair Stainless steel panels.

Additional metal signage at Cerner Headquarters.

Fabricating the Cerner Signs

The sculptural sign was custom perforated from stainless steel plates using binary code to create the pattern. The surface is an array of 1’s and 0’s randomly placed across the plates of stainless steel.

Below are photos from the Zahner shop in Kansas City, where the material for each display was formed. Each panel was perforated using dies custom-made for the project. Together with the automated punches allowed the fabricators on the shop floor to quickly assemble components after being produced on the computer-controlled punch.

Backlit perforated metal system at Cerner Headquarters.

Cerner signage during fabrication at Zahner .

Cedar & Kettner

August 15, 2016/in Exterior Architecture Parking Structure San Diego--California IPD: International Parking Design Silver L 2015 /by cmorris

Cedar & Kettner Development, Little Italy Parking Structure

Cedar & Kettner Development Parking Structure is located in downtown San Diego and features a Zahner-manufactured CloudWall facade system. The striking new parking garage anchors the corner of Cedar Street and Kettner Boulevard in the Little Italy area of downtown San Diego.

The series of vertical facade fins were made using the Zahner-patented CloudWall™ system. These fins were installed using custom extruded channel embeds which were set in concrete. Zahner worked with McCarthy to coordinate the location for each embed. Bassett Construction was the installer, and came to the project with experience on several other Zahner jobs.

The 240,000 SF design-build garage provides 650 spaces with three levels below grade and six levels above, serving as both a work garage for employees of the County of San Diego, as well as night parking for events in the downtown area.

Cedar Kettner Parking Structure in San Diego, California.

PHOTO © CHANY PHOTOGRAPHY.

The design team visited Zahner’s Headquarters prior to working on the job, and experienced the CloudWall system installed on the building’s facade. The project was led by IPD, who served as the architect of record. The team worked with construction manager McCarthy Builders in San Diego, and Bassett in San Diego led the install team.

The CloudWall fins were designed and shaped using 3-D computer-generated studies which resulted in an undulating façade that visually changes based on the point of view and sun angle. This new structure promises more than just additional spaces to park.

The Cedar & Kettner Parking Structure improves the commuter experience, offering a canopy over the adjacent trolley platform. The hope is that by offering more space for visitors, the already vibrant tourism within Little Italy will have room to increase. The new parking building is a key structure towards bringing more construction for additional projects in San Diego.

Cedar Kettner Parking Structure in San Diego, California.

PHOTO © CHANY PHOTOGRAPHY.

Cedar Kettner Parking Structure in San Diego, California.

PHOTO © CHANY PHOTOGRAPHY.

Completed in 2015, this new building provides much needed parking for visitors in a bustling area of tourism. 645 new spaces to park give the county the ability to accommodate greater amounts of tourism, bolster the local economy, and look great while doing so.

Reminiscent of ripples in the San Diego Bay, the CloudWall surface follows the recently completed waterfront park. The facade encompasses the building’s seven above-ground levels. Three additional levels exist underground.

Cedar Kettner Parking Structure in San Diego, California.

PHOTO © CHANY PHOTOGRAPHY.

Switching from Phenolic Plastic to Aluminum Plate

The wave-like fins were originally designed as a phenolic plank system. Design authorities determined some environmental and combustion concerns with the phenolic material. In the interest of public safety and longevity of the surface, all parties agreed that the design needed to be revisited in another material.

Following initial discussions with the group, Zahner visited onsite with the city and county officials, architects, and general contractors. The team reviewed the design and determined the specifics for providing the desired aesthetic.

Clear anodized aluminum was selected for both the fins and the cross bracing. The aluminum’s light material weight allowed for the phenolic system to easily be replaced with metal, without any structural redesign. The economical cost of aluminum also helped to lighten any budgetary concerns.

Scaling the CloudWall System

Prior to the Cedar & Kettner project, the CloudWall system was limited to one or two-story buildings. This was due to limitations of material lengths for the aluminum hardware. The CloudWall system was modified and custom-engineered for the project to span the six-story Cedar & Kettner building. This was accomplished by dividing the metal components into two lengths.

Zahner built a mockup to test how the new components would fit together, and also to test lighting and color options for the client.

Mockup showing the connection between two vertical fins for Cedar Kettner.

Photo © A. Zahner Company.

Mockup for Cedar Kettner Parking Structure.

Photo © A. Zahner Company.

Mockup for Cedar Kettner Parking Structure.

Photo © A. Zahner Company.

Mockup with varying color palettes for Cedar Kettner.

Photo © A. Zahner Company.

Cedar Kettner Parking Structure in San Diego, California.

PHOTO © CHANY PHOTOGRAPHY.

Cedar Kettner Parking Structure in San Diego, California.

PHOTO © CHANY PHOTOGRAPHY.

BOK Center

August 15, 2016/in Exterior Architecture Arena & Stadium, Performance Center Tulsa--Oklahoma Pelli Clarke Pelli Grey, Silver XL 2008 /by cmorris

Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma

BOK Center (Bank of Oklahoma) in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a nearly 20,000 seat multi-purpose arena for sports, concerts, and massive events. The project involved Zahner’s production and installation of several thousand Angel Hair stainless steel panels, each installed on a ZEPPS framework, the building block for complex architectural curves and highly efficient and accurate installations in architecture. The project called for 350,000 square feet of exterior metal panels.

Designed by César Pelli of Pelli Clarke Pelli, the project was managed by Flintco and Manhattan Construction, who called the BOK Center “one of the best architectural designs in their 100-year history of building projects.”

The city officials in Tulsa hired the architects to develop an arena that would be an architectural icon. Pelli Clarke Pelli used architectural themes of the city, developing a swirling aesthetic for the exterior and interior aspects of the building.

Stainless steel facade detail of BOK Center in Oklahoma.

Interior metalwork for BOK Center in Oklahoma.

Photograph of BOK Center during construction.

Baldessari Facade

August 15, 2016/in Art & Sculpture, Exterior Architecture Parking Structure Miami--Florida TimHaahs John Baldessari Silver L 2015 /by cmorris

City View Garage, Miami Design District

Part of a sweeping development of the Miami Design District envisioned by Craig Robins of Dacra, the City View Garage features three unique visions on its facade, each design-engineered and manufactured by Zahner.

Between Leong Leong’s shimmering titanium-coated stainless steel facade, and IwamotoScott’s undulating generative aluminum facade, lies a permanent John Baldessari art installation-as-facade. In certain light, this massive canvas of stainless steel reveals a vivid rendering, created by circular perforations.

Baldessari’s vision was created using ImageWall, a Zahner patented process, which translated the artist’s imagery into a perforated panel system. The patented process was first developed by Zahner engineers for the de Young Museum as a means of visualizing imagery within the facade of a building. The automated system creates machine files for manufacturing functional, decorative metal sheets with patterned openings.

Parking garage facade designed by artist John Baldessari using ImageWall and Angel Hair Stainless Steel.

Imagery Decision

Baldessari’s original image portrays three figures enjoying games around a swimming pool and is part of the ‘Post-Studio’ conceptual art movement. Baldessari selected the image from his extensive collection of found production stills. Like much of the artist’s work, Fun One features a second element—Fun Two, located around the corner of the building, depicts a similar image of a woman balancing on a beach ball.

Facade for Miami Design District City View Garage.

Photo © A. Zahner Co.

featuring Baldessari's artwork between the Leong Leong Facade and the IwamotoScott facade.

The design team views the mockup for Miami City View Garage for the first time.

Photo © A. Zahner Co.

Facade for Miami Design District City View Garage.

Photo © A. Zahner Co.

Facade for Miami Design District City View Garage.

Photo © A. Zahner Co.

Parking garage facade designed by artist John Baldessari using ImageWall and Angel Hair Stainless Steel.

Art Gallery of Alberta

August 15, 2016/in Exterior Architecture, Interior Architecture Museum, Renovation Canada, Edmonton--Alberta, International Randall Stout Architects Blue-grey, Grey, Silver, White L 2010 /by cmorris

Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada

The Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) is a Canadian Museum in downtown Edmonton which features a Zahner-manufactured curvilinear canopy and building envelope system. The building was designed by Randall Stout Architects with local firm HIP Architects in Edmonton.

Zahner’s scope included a massive ribbon of stainless steel which wraps around and through the building. Known as ‘The Borealis’, this curvilinear form evokes the Northern Lights, a frequent phenomenon of the Edmonton night sky. The borealis snakes through the gallery’s interior and emerges above the building to form the roof’s canopy, and then drops again to serve as a “snow cone,’ collecting snow and ice.

The sleek curving borealis is paneled in a stainless steel skin system developed by Zahner. The applied non-directional surface treatment of the metal gives the building its muted glow, reducing and nearly eliminating any harsh glare from the sun.

Outside view of the Art Gallery of Alberta Deck.

The curving borealis winds through the AGA Cafe.

The ‘borealis’ is engineered using ZEPPS technology, a system developed by Zahner to simplify the construction of complex structures and facades. For a curvilinear form that wraps around and within the building, an intelligent structural system was required to handle the curves and handle all structural loads. These fully pre-assembled megapanels were delivered to the site so that the local installers could easily install the pre-fabricated panels.

The building also features a variation on the Hunter Zinc preweathered patina on zinc. This surface is used throughout the interior and exterior on flat and geometric surfaces. It is similar in appearance to slate or limestone.

Preweathered Zinc Patina used on the interior and exterior wall faces.

Flatseam preweathered zinc panels on the Art Gallery of Alberta

Making the Art Gallery of Alberta

Zahner is one of the few organizations in the world that has a dedicated team for handling design-engineering processes. Design Assist divided the project and translated the architects’ intent into engineered subsections and parts which the draftsmen and project engineers can then rapidly push to the fabrication facility.

Design Assist produced several scale mockups of both the flat-lock zinc siding as well as the curvilinear Angel Hair stainless steel surface. These mockups give a sense of the upcoming quality, as well as aid in identifying potential problems and develop essential solutions.

Zahner design-engineered, fabricated, delivered the components of the Art Gallery of Alberta for intelligent installation by the Canadian installers. This process was made possible by intensive design consulting sessions early in the planning process, facilitated by Zahner Design Assist.

Design Assist | BIM to Build

As the construction world continues to move towards digital and cloud computing, Zahner fully integrates into Building Information Modeling (BIM) frameworks, so that all participants are aware every stage of construction.

The structure for the Art Gallery of Alberta was divided into several complex components, and to keep the entire project organized required a strong BIM foundation. Drawings from the architect were digitally defined and refined into a working model which served to involve every aspect of its construction.

This makes complex components, such as the architectural metal wing flying through the window, possible (see below). Coordinating multiple trades is one of the big strengths of BIM. It also plays a large role in condensing the construction down to its essentials.