A Time-proven, Dependable Material For Extreme Climate Conditions

Significant works of architecture are unquestionably the result of a great deal of creativity, design, and ingenuity. One such award-winning marvel is The Albany Entertainment Centre in Australia which is a masterpiece by Architects Cox Howlett & Baily Woodland. Situated in the heart of the harbour and designed as a waterside sculpture reflecting the crystalline molecular structures of the earth, its shape varies and reflects light as you move around it like a cut diamond. ANTHRA-ZINC and QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS has been used for the roofing and facade with VMZINC Interlocking Panels and Standing Seam techniques to enhance its elegance and unimposing response to the undulating composition of the harbour.

 

Most importantly the use of Zinc in this building has answered one of the critical challenges faced by the designing community, the corrosion of metal facades which are widely used in modern-day construction. For centuries, Zinc has proven reliable in Europe’s coastal environments, and in recent decades it has gained interest in the Asia Pacific regions with extreme climates due to its enduring qualities. It is evident that these acclaimed architects used Zinc in their projects due to its resilience in the coastal environment and its long-lasting performance due to its self-healing property and aesthetics.

 

 

The physical properties of Zinc make it a very unique and useful material to be used as building facades and roofing in the coastal line of tropical countries like Sri Lanka where many of us are familiar with the oxidation process of steel, which forms rust. Steel will continue to corrode when rust is present on its surface, eventually rendering it unusable. Zinc, on the other hand, has the ability to resist continued corrosion due to a very unique reaction. When Zinc is exposed to the moisture and Carbon dioxide that is present in our atmosphere, a protective layer of Zinc Carbonate forms on its surface, prohibiting the corrosion process that steel experiences. The resulting Zinc-Carbonate layer creates a beautiful bluish patina for a very desirable appearance.

In addition to its beauty, this protective barrier provides longevity that will allow Zinc to protect a building’s exterior for years to come. It is not uncommon for a properly designed Zinc roof or facade to last over 60 years in most climatic conditions. Another unique characteristic of Zinc is that it can “heal” itself over time. As it continues to patina throughout its life, scratches and imperfections that were once present will virtually disappear. Moreover, Zinc is a very environmentally friendly metal for a number of reasons and it is a 100 percent recyclable metal that can be reused unlike copper and other metals, it can also be used in areas where vegetation is present, as it will not damage or compromise plant growth.

Committed to the success in implementing versatile and long-lasting solutions for imaginative building projects ranging from single homes to commercial complexes, public buildings, and private projects across the world with our partner VMZINC has a history of more than 180 years, archiZINC by Wallspan reflects the image of a noble, natural and robust metal with exceptional durability and great malleability.

Here are the benefits of archiZINC at a glance.

• Lightweight and durable
• Fully recyclable
• Design life of 60-80 years
• Virtually maintenance-free 
• Can be installed on roof pitches as low as 3º
• Complex  double curve shapes can be achieved
• All flashings and trim can be fitted interlocking technique in the same material without using silicone 
• Fire classification A1 (Natural Zinc, QUARTZ-ZINC, ANTHRA-ZINC, and AZENGAR) and A2-s1,d0 (PIGMENTO and VMZINC PLUS) according to EN 13501-1:2002
• Available in a choice of either natural finish or 8 pre-weathered finishes as well as Bespoke PIGMENTO colours
• Cost-effective solution
• Wide range of panel types

Therefore, when installed properly and appropriate considerations are taken to assure its surroundings are suitable, Zinc is an aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting, and beneficial alternative for building cladding. Few metals with such an appealing array of properties are practical for use in building design, making Zinc an easy choice for many designers. Its architectural appeal is expanding as more designers recognize the advantages of this lovely metal.

So, whether you’re an owner, designer, or contractor, think about Zinc the next time you have the chance to specify metal.

Have a look at the astonishing finishes of these buildings with Zinc.

Local Projects

 

 

International Projects