Have you ever wondered why those sleek, modern buildings seem to last longer? The secret might be hiding behind their facade. In the competitive world of commercial architecture, the exterior facade of a building is more than just an aesthetic feature or first impression; it plays a crucial role in the building’s overall performance and longevity. One essential component of a high-performing facade is the rain screen. But what exactly are rain screens, and why are they so important?
What Are Rain Screens?
Rain screens are an exterior cladding system designed to protect buildings from moisture and the elements. They consist of an outer layer that deflects rain and a ventilated cavity that allows any trapped moisture to escape. This system helps prevent water from reaching the building’s structure, reducing the risk of mold, mildew, and structural damage.
“UNLV Hospitality Hall” Las Vegas, NV, Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects.
Why Rain Screens Are Essential for Commercial Facades
The facade of commercial buildings is often the first point of contact with potential customers. A well-designed facade with an effective rain screen system enhances the building’s appearance, ensuring its structural integrity and performance. Investing in rain screens is a wise choice for any business looking to create a lasting impression while protecting their investment.
“Tesla” Santa Monica, CA, Michael W. Folonis Architects. Photo by Art Gray.
The Arktura Difference
When specifying custom rain screens for your commercial project, consider partnering with Arktura’s Solutions Studio®. Our custom division offers a wide range of tailored rain screen solutions that blend innovative design with superior performance. Our team collaborates with you every step of the way, from initial consultation calls to sketches and mockups; we ensure that your input guides our creative process.
For additional inspiration, let’s take a look at a few rain screen projects our team has created.
“Elysian Fields” Los Angeles, CA, Warren Techentin, Inc.
This custom perforated rain screen at 1313 Sunset Ave in Los Angeles, CA, is positioned a noticeable distance away from the building exterior. Creating a three-dimensional, flared aesthetic when viewed from the outside, the cladding is made of Exterior Graphic Perf®, which was designed in collaboration with Arktura Solutions Studio®. The perforated and formed aluminum panels gently curve along Sunset Boulevard, protecting against the harsh sun.
“SECTA” Las Vegas, NV, Pugsley. Simpson. Coulter.
Rain screens can be more than just functional. Thanks to our Graphic Perf® process, our team can translate images and branding onto these exterior panels. This Southeast Career Technical Academy facade shades the building from the Las Vegas heat while incorporating the school mascot.
“Continental 2171 Rosecrans” El Segundo, CA, RDC.
Not all projects need custom designs; our Secare® system offers excellent exterior design right out of the box. The preassembled panel modules are designed to seamlessly integrate into the facade, providing sun-shielding and dynamically responding to the needs of retail and hospitality centers by allowing the building’s integrations to be combined within the design.
“180 W Tasman Dr” San Jose, CA, Fong & Chang Architects. Photo by Digital Rover LLC.
Talk about making a great first impression. The large-scale custom-designed panels here announce their design intent loud and clear. The building’s exterior features a custom Graphic Perf® Exterior facade. Tailored perforated panels span two stories, stretching from the ground up. Utilizing our Photoreal Process, these panels also feature the building’s address number “180.”
“One Workplace” San Jose, CA, Design Blitz. Photo by Bruce Damonte.
Our Graphic Perf® process allows us to incorporate full images onto customized panel designs, going beyond simple elements like address numbers. We worked with Design Blitz SF to create a custom perforated pattern using raw steel sheets for an exterior cladding feature wall. This pattern was designed to complement the industrial aesthetic of a former warehouse, allowing the steel to patina and blend with the surrounding environment.
“UNLV Hospitality Hall” Las Vegas, NV, Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects.
Arktura’s Secare® system is ideal for complex architectural structures like UNLV’s Hospitality Hall. It provides a break in design from the various materials used to create the stunning exterior of the building. The Secare® system adds texture visible from both the outside and inside of the structure, creating an impressive visual feature through the glass wall panels. This facade contributes to the campus’s eclectic presence while reducing the harsh desert sun’s exposure by up to 60%.
“Tesla” Santa Monica, CA, Michael W. Folonis Architects. Photo by Art Gray.
No other custom exterior project encapsulates the collaborative nature of partnering with Solutions Studio, like Tesla in Santa Monica, CA. Our team used Graphic Perf® to create a facade inspired by the company’s namesake, Nikola Tesla. It incorporated magnetic flux diagram visuals to cover the exterior of its main auto showroom. The resulting facade not only has a visual impact and filters heat and sunlight but also acts as a rain shield while representing the linear energy release of electric propulsion.
Rain screens protect commercial building facades from moisture and the elements while contributing to energy efficiency, durability, and aesthetic appeal. At Arktura, we are dedicated to crafting custom rain screen solutions that blend innovative design with superior performance.
If you’re ready to enhance your next commercial project with our tailored rain screen solutions, we invite you to contact our team today. Let’s collaborate to bring your vision to life and create a long-lasting, impressive facade for your business.
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