The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts is the latest addition to the Bard College campus. Featuring a curving roof and structure manufactured by Zahner, the building is nestled amongst the foothills of the Catskill Mountains.
The performance center was completed in 2003, designed by Frank Gehry Partners. Zahner has been involved with Gehry's firm since the beginning, and has been involved in a number of featured Gehry projects over the years. The Bard College was finished a year after Weatherhead at Case Western, and a year prior to the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Chicago. All three were built using Zahner engineering-design, fabrication, and installation.
Creating the Surface of Fisher Center
Angel Hair stainless steel clads the entire surface of the secondary structure (which was also produced by Zahner, explained below). The stainless steel skins were lapped and fastened using a custom-engineered counter-sunk fastener. The finish of this surface is unlike any other surface in its ability to create muted tones, ambiently reflecting its surroundings.
Designing, Fabricating, and Installing with ZEPPS Technology
Working in CATIA and Pro-Engineer and utilizing Gehry Partners master model, Zahner developed a workable surface using the ZEPPS Technology to form the walls and roof of this dynamic set of structures.
Using the dual-curving panels made possible by ZEPPS eliminates several construction steps because it requires no additional supports or finishing due to its exclusively structural aluminum components.