Architects are always looking for new materials and technologies to make projects standout in terms of aesthetics, design and functionality. Terracotta Façades panels bring a completely new dimension to designing the building exterior, by blending the latest technology for ventilated façades with urban tradition and materials. More Here:http://tiny.cc/25omz

This project is the entrance way to an underground parking garage. It is located in a historical area therefore new structure cannot block or interfere with the existing historical structures. The designers solution was to use a metal mesh. Furthermore this part of the city is prone to Graffiti, so the metal mesh also addresses that problem.

The Temple Sinai synagogue in Oakland, Calif.-done in collaboration with Michael Harris Architecture-features a sculptural chapel clad in standing-seam Green Tinted VM Zinc from Umicore Building Products. More here: http://tiny.cc/qqvpm

The RMJM designed Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi has officially been recognized as a world record breaker. Built to lean 18 degrees westwards – more than four times that of the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The GKD stainless steel Mesh is a shading device that eliminates over 30 percent of the sun’s heat before it ever reaches the building, thereby saving on the need for cooling within the building. The Mesh twists around the building towards the south to shield Capital Gate as much as possible from direct sunlight. More here: http://tiny.cc/6wenc and here: http://tiny.cc/grqrg

One of the top projects in 2009 was the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). This project was designed by HOK-SVE and uses Crimar glass by Cricursa. For more information visit http://tiny.cc/d13n4

To stay in line with the earlier post, HOK Architects also used NBK Terracotta on the Façade of the KAUST Research Facility. For more information visit http://tiny.cc/27l1k

This is the 2nd almost live post from the “Bau” Design show in Munich Germany. GKD revealed their new Ceiling system with an NRC rating of up 0.65.The Ceiling panels can be installed using a standard Grit.

Live from the Bau: Prodema shows of a brand new color called “Mint” I saw it on a large scale Mockup and it looks quite nice. I took a couple of 2”x 4” samples in case somebody is interested. The new color is here: http://tiny.cc/vley1

Live from the Bau in Munich. Umicore officially announced their cooperation with Dri-Design in Europe. Umicore Germany showed a large Dri-Design Wall using every available Zinc color. I’m a big fan of Dri-Design in the USA and I hope they are going to be equally successful in Europe. More about Dri-Design at http://tiny.cc/e3nz5

Live from the Bau: Here at Facadesign we love Mediamesh. It is a Stainless Steel mesh with LED’s woven right into the fabric. In comparison with big black (and very noisy) LCD Screens, Mediamesh® is a transparent system that blends into the façade when turned off. Here are a couple of Mediamesh flash videos: http://tiny.cc/b0fe8