Located in the greater Vancouver, British Columbia area is a 2 ½ acre equestrian estate that features a 9,000 sq. ft. main residence plus three out-buildings – totaling 6,000 sq. ft. – to accommodate seven horses. Among the materials featured in the construction of the buildings was RHEINZINK titanium zinc from RHEINZINK America Inc.

Blackwell Architecture Inc. of Vancouver designed the buildings, meeting its client’s expectations to a tee. “The owner was concerned with maintenance issues and also wanted to use natural and local materials as much as possible.” Said Shawn Blackwell. He notes that in addition to zinc, the project features basalt stone and lots of wood.

Approximately 14,000 sq. ft. of RHEINZINK Preweathered Graphite-Gray Double Lock Standing Seam Roof Panels and 2,300 sq. ft. of RHEINZINK custom rainscreen wall panels were used on the main residence and out-buildings.

“We liked the natural patina process of the RHEINZINK,” Blackwell said. “It fit well with the other materials and made a significant contribution to the modern, contemporary appearance of the home.”

The detailing on the project was complicated and complex, according to Blackwell. “For example, we wanted the roof expressed as a thin, floating 4 ½” zinc plane,” Blackwell said. “The expression of the zinc and the separation between the wood soffit required a lot of creative, custom detailing. We also created a custom square gutter to match the roof so that the gutter is virtually unseen and becomes an integral part of the plane.”

All of the RHEINZINK panels were fabricated on-site and installed by Ace Copper Specialists Ltd., Surrey, BC. “They did a fabulous job,” Blackwell said.

The general contractor on the project was Davidson Walker Construction Ltd., Vancouver.