Metal parts coated with powder coatings are popular for use in facade design. “One of the special things about powder coatings is that they can be used extremely efficiently because of their recylability, and they are environmentally friendly because they are completely free of solvents,” explains Thomas Roll, a product manager in the Architectural Coatings unit of the Swiss powder coatings manufacturer IGP. This company has been working with Merck products for 20 years. “Powder coatings already enjoy market shares of over 40 percent in the coating of metal facade components. This is due not only to their excellent weather resistance, but also to their eco-friendly application, the good material utilization rate, and rapid processability after the coating process,” says Roll.

Whereas the 1990s saw the use of colors and intense effects, he sees architecture becoming more monochrome today. “That doesn’t mean that there is any less color involved, however. In addition to more subtle shade selection, the use of color is becoming more technically sophisticated.” The pure body color of the coating, which is produced by absorption and non-specular reflection, is joined by a new, overlaying shade produced by the addition of interference pigments. This overlaying shade alters the base shade as a function of the viewing angle. “Just a few years ago, such effects had taken on a life of their own that was determining shades. Today, however, it’s no longer about showing what is possible, but rather the interplay of these subtle interference pigments with the base coating, working together with it to help lend the building a more nuanced expression and to produce a slight irritation,” says Roll.

Whether entire facades or individual elements, surfaces treated this way are real eye catchers. Maybe not at first glance, but definitely at the second a few meters further, when the viewing angle has changed. A game with the light, a small trick, and an “Aha!” experience that arouse the gentle sort of emotions.