Architectural elements and metal cladding

At a glance

We work with architects and clients to develop metal elements that fit the project, refining construction details and coordinating fabrication, finishes and installation where required.

What we make

From the façade to the details

Façades
Decorative elements and façade cladding systems.
Exterior balustrades
Metal balustrades and railings for terraces, balconies and external staircases.
Portals and door and window frames
Bespoke entrance portals, glazed partitions, doors and metal window frames.
Panels and cladding
Metal panels and cladding for interior and exterior surfaces.
Wave walls
Undulating metal cladding for decorative walls and architectural surfaces.
Reveals and surrounds
Metal reveals and surrounds for doors, windows and architectural openings.

Façade of the Ermenegildo Zegna global store in New York at night

Project

Stainless steel balustrades in New York

The Ermenegildo Zegna global store in New York, designed by Peter Marino, occupies 660 square metres across three floors in one of Manhattan's best-known historic locations.

For the façade refurbishment, YDF engineered and manufactured the external polished stainless steel balustrades: a dense weave of metal wires that evokes Zegna fabrics and lights up at night with LEDs.

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Bronzed brass cladding beneath the Roastery skylight during installation

Project

6.5-metre-high bronzed brass sheets

At the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan, in the former post office building in Piazza Cordusio, YDF manufactured bronzed brass cladding.

YDF manufactured the cladding for the large degassing cask under contract, using bronzed brass sheets 6.5 metres high: the cladding opens like a flower, offering glimpses into the degassing chamber.

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With the architect

From engineering to delivery

Working with the architect helps us understand the role of each element in the project and the building's requirements. Starting from the client's drawings, our technical office develops construction details, defines the solutions needed for fabrication and coordinates technical aspects with production, maintaining consistency with the original design.

For the Ermenegildo Zegna boutique in Paris, we handled the engineering, production and installation of external metal balustrades in polished stainless steel and black aluminium, with integrated watertight LED lighting. The steel cable pattern echoes fine tailoring fabrics and continues into the retractable lacquered stainless steel gate, fitted with an electromechanical vertical-opening mechanism.

Materials

Metals for interiors and exteriors

For every element, we work with the designer to choose the metal best suited to the environment and finish.

Stainless steel: withstands atmospheric corrosion and requires minimal maintenance; satin stainless steel is also available in AISI 316 on request.
Brass: good corrosion resistance, also suitable for outdoor use, with finishes ranging from polished to bronze-toned.
Bronze and copper: high corrosion resistance and warm tones, for cladding and details.
Aluminium: lightweight and resistant to oxidation.
Steel: for structures and cladding, with finishes such as corten, natural iron or titanium lacquer.
PVD, decoration and marking: polished gold PVD, decorative finishes and marking assessed according to the project.

From the workshop

Portals, frames and patterns

Arched portal in bronzed metal assembled in the workshop

Assembly of a large structure made from black steel tubes

Contemporary façade with a glazed entrance and metal profiles

Entrance to the Ermenegildo Zegna boutique in Lisbon — Ermenegildo Zegna, Lisbon

Case studies

Architectural projects

Shopfront of the Ermenegildo Zegna boutique in Paris, with balustrades on the upper floor

Paris · Retail and luxury storesBalustrades for high-fashion boutiquesExterior balustrades, a steel cable pattern and a retractable gate for the Paris boutique.

Bronzed brass-clad degassing cask at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan

Milan · Architectural elements and claddingBronzed brass cladding, 6.5 m highBronzed brass cladding for the degassing cask: 6.5-metre-high sheets made through contract manufacturing.

Staircase spanning three levels in the Ermenegildo Zegna showroom in Rome

Rome · Staircases, railings and balustradesDesigner staircase for Ermenegildo Zegna in RomeThe staircase connecting the showroom's three levels: stone and polished stainless steel treads, glass balustrades and leather handrails.

All projects

Frequently asked questions

Architectural elements: frequently asked questions

Do you make exterior cladding?

Yes. We make decorative elements, cladding and balustrades for façades. For Ermenegildo Zegna, we produced the polished stainless steel exterior balustrades for the New York façade and the polished stainless steel and black aluminium balustrades with watertight LED lighting for the Paris boutique. For exterior use, we work with the designer to select corrosion-resistant metals such as stainless steel and brass.

Do you work to the architect's drawings?

Yes. We create decorative elements, cladding, panels, staircases, surrounds and balustrades to the client's specific design, developing the construction details with the designer.

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