Edition 3/2011 

  • Reynobond® ColorLab
  • Reynobond® Zinc
  • Steel Study House No. 2

60 new surfaces in the Reynobond® ColorLab

From now on, you can view 80 surfaces on a virtual building model instead of the 20 as before. Which of the colours or surface designs might be of interest for your next project? Try them out for yourself! In Reynobond® ColorLab, our online configurator, you can choose between 80 original Reynobond® aluminium surfaces which can be viewed in 3D or downloaded for your own CAD software (ArchiCAD, Allplan and AutoCAD).

The realistic 3D representation at www.excellence-in-innovation.eu gives you a good idea of modern and creative façade solutions even before the actual planning and design process starts. This is a versatile source of inspiration for architects, building owners and engineers – and is completely free of charge. All you have to do is choose your favourites from our DESIGN surface collections (Wood Design, DESIGN Natural Finish, EFFECTS or STANDARD), and you will experience for yourself the impact of a Reynobond® aluminium façade on a building.

But that’s still not all – far from it! In future we will also be working to extend the service we offer you, starting with the development of innovative surfaces, right through to specific help and support in planning and design. And as part of this, we will be offering even more colours.

Reynobond® Zinc = character and strength

Historic architecture in modern clothing – this is the challenge that Junk & Reich, the Weimar firm of architects, successfully met in their rebuild of the library of St Augustine’s Monastery in Erfurt. What is striking about the building is the combination of traditional materials, such as coquina limestone and natural-finish zinc, with the steel-glass structure of the windows.

The apparently traditional zinc roof however conceals an innovation: the new Reynobond® composite panel. Working in cooperation with VMZINC, in its Reynobond® Zinc solution Alcoa Architectural Products has produced a lightweight but robust composite panel of completely uniform and level design, which can be worked into any shape. The panel consists of two pre-weathered zinc sheets surrounding a fire-resistant core (FR).

What is unique about the fully recyclable Reynobond® Zinc is that it derives from a rolled zinc alloy which is stronger than pure zinc. The stainless, pre-weathered surface is available in both QUARTZ-ZINC®, a matt grey, warm patina, and ANTHRA-ZINC®. The ANTHRA-ZINC® version is the first composite panel on the market to have an elegant anthracite patina, reminiscent of natural slate.

For those who would like to have both at once, there is Reynobond® Zinc with QUARTZ-ZINC® on the front and ANTHRA-ZINC® on the rear. Under the influence of the ambient air, the patina of both surfaces evolves naturally to form a zinc carbonate patina. This protects the surface, making scratches disappear. The building is given an individual and imposing character, together with a natural and exclusive aura all of its own.

A house that breathes – made of aluminium and steel

The “Steel Study House No. 2” is by no means a normal detached house. Full of character and generous in design, its very appearance means that it stands out from the other waterfront properties in Leeuwarden’s new Zuiderburen district. The architecture of the building aims to combine urban living with an unhindered view of some beautiful scenery.

Its most striking feature is the rectangular building shell made of prefabricated white steel components and white Reynobond® aluminium composite panels. For modern structures such as the “Steel Study House No. 2”, Reynobond® is the ideal material. It is lighter than steel, but particularly resistant to the vagaries of the weather, as well as retaining its shape well. In addition, it is easy to process and install. The luminosity of the white, combined with the way in which interiors and exterior are merged into one, gives the building its distinct airy and elegant character.

The architects, Archipelontwerpers, have ensured the design of the road frontage of the house would preserve the privacy of the Pesie family. The house is reached via an ascending gangway. A descending slope leads down to the underground garage. The gangway accesses the south side of the house, which features an inner patio area of good proportions. The patio area is the central feature of the house, and a gangway connects this with the water. All rooms are designed to be accessed from the patio and have a view of the water.

The “Steel Study House No. 2” has one more special feature: with an area of 750 m2 the house takes up just about the entire area of the property. This means there is no garden in the traditional sense, but a generously proportioned covered patio instead, as well as a veranda, giving plenty of space to enjoy the fresh air, sun and water.

Project name: Steel Study House No. 2
Place: Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Owner: Pesie family
Architects: Archipelontwerpers
Contractor: BSB Staalbouw