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Design Inspiration

9 Rainscreen Panels to Blend Form and Function

February 1, 2023

From gorgeous accent walls and backlit panels to powder-coated aluminum and hard geometric lines, the decorative impact of rainscreens is an often overlooked element of a building’s overall design. In addition to their traditional use, rainscreens can enhance a building’s exterior aesthetics by providing a distinct and creative appeal. 

Rainscreen panels are exterior wall details that create an air gap between the back of the external cladding system and the water-resistant barrier, which aids in moisture management and energy efficiency.

Rainscreen metal panels have a variety of functional benefits purposes, including:

  • Keeping the moisture away from the wall system
  • Preventing the build-up of mold
  • Reducing hot and cold air movement, lowering energy costs
  • Promoting water drainage
  • Enabling double insulation
  • Facilitating drainage and drying

However, rainscreen panels provide more than just function to a building. When thoughtfully designed, rainscreen metal panels add an intriguing design element to a building’s exterior, blending form and function effortlessly.

The following nine rainscreen metal panels from Arktura are perfect examples of this marriage between aesthetics and utility — let’s discover how our panels deliver performance value while serving as inspiration points for your rainscreen panels.

1. Perforated Metal Rainscreen Panels Brings New Meaning to Accent Wall

“2100 Grand” Los Angeles, CA, HLW (Architect), Wundr Studio (Photography). Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura

These bright and bold, fire-engine red perforated metal rainscreen panels bring a new meaning to the term “accent wall.” The bold color choice pops against the browns and greens and beckons the eyes to focus on it. 

“2100 Grand” Los Angeles, CA, HLW (Architect), Wundr Studio (Photography). Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura

2. Transforming the Ordinary into Brilliance with Bold Blue Rainscreen Operable Panels

“Brick & Machine” Culver City, CA, Abramson Architects, Sean Costello (Photography). Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura 

These magnificent blue rainscreen panels add modernity and brilliance to an otherwise ordinary building. The metal rainscreen panels are found on the open-air balconies and the side of the building to create an overall impactful final look.

“Brick & Machine” Culver City, CA, Abramson Architects, Sean Costello (Photography). Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura 

 

These custom rainscreen panels are also operable, allowing occupants to slide them to protect against the sun’s glare while creating a gorgeous dappled light effect inside the building. 

3. Integrating Light with Rainscreen Panels for an Emphasized Effect

“Epiphany” Palo Alto, CA, Steinberg, Bernard Andre (Photography). Featuring: Graphic Perf® by Arktura

On the ground level, the backlit perforated rainscreen panels dazzle on this hotel’s exterior, beckoning passersby to come inside. 

“Epiphany” Palo Alto, CA, Steinberg, Bernard Andre (Photography). Featuring: Graphic Perf® by Arktura

The powder-coated aluminum Graphic Perf® Photoreal Exterior rainscreen panels and frosted polycarbonate backers work together to create the tree-like imagery and really capture the optimistic, curious, entrepreneurial and vital spirit of Palo Alto.

4. Playing with Curves Created a Unique Rainscreen for Tesla

“Tesla” Santa Monica, CA, Michael W. Folonis Architects, Art Gray (Photographer). Featuring: Graphic Perf® by Arktura

A brand like Tesla demands a modern and thoughtful exterior for its flagship auto showroom. This custom metal rainscreen design was inspired by the company’s namesake, Nikola Tesla. 

“Tesla” Santa Monica, CA, Michael W. Folonis Architects, Art Gray (Photographer). Featuring: Graphic Perf® by Arktura

Our Solutions Studio® used proprietary software to develop the curved Graphic Perf system into a form that captured the relationship between electron decay and magnetic flux. The result serves as a rainscreen and filters sunlight while representing the linear energy release of electric propulsion. 

5. Geometric Rainscreen Paneling for a Stand-Out Look

“Lululemon” Los Angeles, CA, Diana Stevenson Moore (Photographer). Featuring: Atmosphera® Pulse by Arktura 

The Lululemon location in West Hollywood needed to stand out, and what better way to do that than with custom metal rainscreen panels? The rainscreen shell wraps all the way around the building and features subtle organic mountainscapes and hard geometric lines. 

“Lululemon” Los Angeles, CA, Diana Stevenson Moore (Photographer). Featuring: Atmosphera® Pulse by Arktura 

This design combines form and printing on panels to create a stand-out look that immediately demands attention from anyone walking or driving by. 

6. Embrace Abstraction with this Powerfully Modern Rainscreen 

“Elysian Fields” Los Angeles, CA, Warren Techentin, Inc (Architect). Featuring: Graphic Perf® By Arktura

These aluminum rainscreen cladding panels embrace the abstraction and quirkiness of this Los Angeles neighborhood. The perforated aluminum panels curve and bend to fit the building’s shape and pair perfectly with the whimsical color choices. 

“Elysian Fields” Los Angeles, CA, Warren Techentin, Inc.(Architect) Featuring: Graphic Perf® By Arktura

This example shows how a functional element can feel much more like a design element with the right eye for design. 

7. Incorporate Signage for a Next-Level Rainscreen

“Secta” Las Vegas, NV, Pugsley – Simpson – Coulter Studio (Architect). Featuring: Graphic Perf® By Arktura

The rainscreen panels on the Southeast Career Technical Academy help shield students and faculty from the blistering Las Vegas heat while also incorporating the school’s mascot. 

“Secta” Las Vegas, NV, Pugsley – Simpson – Coulter Studio (Architect). Featuring: Graphic Perf® By Arktura

The precision of the imagery was possible thanks to our Graphic Perf technique. This stunning example illustrates how your metal rainscreen panels are only limited by your imagination. 

8. Elevating Residential Design with House-Wide Perforated Rainscreen Panels

“Silver Lake Screens” Los Angeles, CA, Zoltan E. Pali (Architect), Studio Pali Fekete (Architect). Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura

These house-wide perforated rainscreen panels elevate this residential property to new heights. These olive-hued panels are intriguing and classy enough to add weather protection and privacy to the residence without detracting from the building’s overall beauty.

“Silver Lake Screens” Los Angeles, CA, Zoltan E. Pali (Architect), Studio Pali Fekete (Architect). Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura

9. Keep Rainscreens Elegantly Simple with Sleek, Minimalist Design

“Sunset Media Center” Los Angeles, CA, Gensler, Ryan Gobuty (Photography). Featuring Atmosphera® Adaptiv by Arktura

When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a minimalist design, as evidenced by the Sunset Media Center’s façade. The subtle rainscreen and the building’s classic louvered design create a visually appealing building that’s simple and sleek. 

“Sunset Media Center” Los Angeles, CA, Gensler, Ryan Gobuty (Photography). Featuring Atmosphera® Adaptiv by Arktura

The louvered façade descends three levels, melding with the ceiling baffling to create a cohesive and timeless finished look. 

Get Custom Rainscreen Panels Designed By Arktura’s Solutions Studio Team

No matter what impact you want your metal rainscreen panels to make, we can help. 

Our Solutions Studio team is completely committed to helping you bring your vision to life. Whether you want bold aluminum rainscreen cladding panels or more subtle exterior protection, our team of designers can make it happen.

Contact our design team at Arktura today to create totally unique, custom rainscreen panels for your building’s exterior.


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