Being able to vividly display an architectural design and present it convincingly is sure to generate enthusiasm on the part of a client. It also helps the architect when it comes to selling his own concept. Now architects whose preference is for 3D design can access a new service provided by Alcoa Architectural Products. All Reynobond® aluminium surfaces are now available online; both for viewing in large format or 3D model form and for downloading to the architect’s own architecture software.

At www.excellence-in-innovation.eu Reynobond® Architecture offers architects, engineers and all those working with cladding a unique design tool in the form of its new online configurator, the Reynobond® ColorLab. This allows the user to obtain a realistic impression of the vast range of modern façade solutions that can be realised with Reynobond® aluminium composite boards; including the various effects of the individual boards under light.

The wide range of surfaces from Reynobond® is made up of the Standard, Wood Design, Natural Finish and Effects design lines. The effect obtained from surfaces selected from this range can be viewed online on a 3D building model, which, in terms of realism, is of photographic quality, as well as allowing of rotation through all axes. So, instead of, as in the past, illustrating their concept for façade design on the basis of sample boards, architects and civil engineers can now present their preferred façade from various 360º perspectives in Reynobond® ColorLab or their own CAD drawing. Currently 79 Reynobond® surfaces are available for download free of charge as image files or plug-in for ArchiCAD, Allplan and AutoCAD software.

Given the rapid progress in 3D technology, Alcoa Architectural Products is set to encourage further development and use of 3D applications as a modern presentation form. Guy Scheidecker, Marketing and Distribution Manager for Alcoa Architectural Products, is proud of the Reynobond® ColorLab, but he is also quick to emphasise the commitment to innovation of the company and its Reynobond® product. “This configurator means we are the first company on the market to offer such an extensive download service on top of 3D representation.”

Expansion of the online platform as well as solutions for its mobile application are already in hand. Guy Scheidecker: “For us it’s important that we do not just develop a wide range of different surface versions. We also need to ensure customers can experience and use them; preferably in any place and at any time.” It is not without reason that Alcoa can vaunt its claim to excellence in innovation, and the company will no doubt be coming up with a few more interesting innovations. More information and the Reynobond® ColorLab can be found at www.excellence-in-innovation.eu.