Polymer Facade for Backyard Initiative | Tactile Materials

Tactile Materials is an international company dedicated to the supply and production of customized metal cladding for architectural endeavors. One of the main uses for Tactile Materials is exterior wall claddings for residential projects, such as the Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) facade cladding for the Backyard Initiative project by AirBnB and their design studio, Samara.

The compact housing unit acquired individual character with the application of the Tactile FRP cladding on its facade. The architect created panel termination details that bulged at the ends much the same as the Serif font. Tactile designed and engineered the facade cladding and window cowlings with embeds for easy attachment. The rain screen system has open joinery and a variable stippled finish in a charcoal black tonality.

Tactile Materials collaborated in the design, engineering, and production of the mockup, and the production of all rain screen FRP cladding with a bespoke finish, as well as window and door cowlings.