The first zinc roof was installed in 1809 on a relatively traditional church in Liege which is now part of modern day Belgium thus making zinc roofing older than Belgium! Since then, zinc has been used on an incredibly wide range of architectural typologies with a broad range of systems and indeed finishes.
To highlight creativity and the flexibility of the metal, VMZINC launched the Focus on Zinc magazine back in 1997. The magazine has showcased architecture from all around the world using zinc on roofs and walls. After 26 editions including the Archizinc Trophy editions which involved panels of architects judging projects the latest edition came out just before Christmas 2022.
One of the sectors where zinc has been ever present is in housing and Focus on Zinc 19 featured two very different projects, one being an individual house called On the Rocks in The Lebanon by Karim Nader Studios and the other being Lampwick Quay in Manchester by CallisonRTKL, the firm which now forms part of Arcadis’ expanded architecture and urbanism team of experts. On the 13th June both Karim Nader and Matthew Pickering will be presenting their projects in a webinar, sign up via the link below:
A tour of zinc in architecture from Mount Lebanon to Manchester in the UK
For all zinc roofs and walls to give long term satisfaction correct design and installation must be followed. VMZINC has been involved in training installers for many years and in many countries including in the UK and Ireland. Here VMZINC@WORK partner installers can offer a 50 year material warranty. Something that is unique to Paris however is that the skill of the Parisian zinc roofer has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Before the zinc installer starts their work, the zinc roof or wall must be correctly designed. The partnership between architect and VMZINC goes back to the 19th century when the company first started producing technical drawings. Fast forward to 2023 and VMZINC are still supporting architects with design tools such BIM, specifications, Environmental Product Declarations, Brooft4 fire test and lots more.
If you would like further information including samples or an online or office based RIBA accredited CPD please do not hesitate to contact us.