With SAB-profiel design profiles on the façade, the sky truly is the limit

Part of SAB-profiel assortment is a collection of design profiles. This collection has recently been expanded, offering even more inspiration. Product manager Frank de Vos works behind the scenes on further range expansion. New business developer Amir Feizinezhad takes these collections to architects and interior designers. And for those looking for even more uniqueness: custom-made profiles are also an option.

Architectural masterpieces

Can architectural masterpieces be created with standard profiles? “Absolutely,” says product manager Frank de Vos. “The beauty of design profiles lies in their sharper lines, thanks to the production process, allowing for a much sleeker façade. You have a broader choice of coatings and materials, and you can play with light. This creates much more shadow play, giving the façade a completely different appearance.”

Buildings with a unique identity

Distribution centers, for example, are often labeled as “boxes.” With design profiles, it’s possible to give these larger buildings a more distinctive character. Frank explains: “Cost considerations often lead to obvious solutions: large surfaces, the same colors, the same profiles. Design profiles allow you to give a building its own unique identity.”

Three collections
For better recognition of its range, SAB-profiel has divided its profiles into three collections. The Essential line includes products like pyramid profiles (“Pyramids”) and shiplap profiles (“Tribune”). “We have eight different types of Pyramids alone. They can have a very fine profile with many ribs per meter or be quite coarse with wide ribs,” says Frank.

Developing more new profiles
The special profiles can be found in the other two lines, Allure and Architect. Frank explains: “In the Allure line, we present our more distinctive profiles. The Architect line features primarily inspiring and exclusive profiles. We also aim to develop more new profiles for this line—profiles that are truly unique.” Clients can even have custom profiles produced. “Of course, within technical possibilities, but custom-made profiles are definitely possible.”

Profiles for interior applications too

The unique shapes and materials make SAB’s design profiles highly suitable for interiors as well. “Indoors, you don’t have to account for rain and wind, which allows for greater design freedom, including the use of concealed fastenings. You won’t see any screws, for instance. This opens up possibilities for entranceways or a feature wall in a meeting room.” As a result, interior designers and architects gain a “new” material for their design processes.

Genuine enthusiasm among architects
New business developer Amir Feizinezhad is tasked with convincing architects of these new designs. “Architects show genuine enthusiasm for our collections,” he observes. “They often want to personalize products and embed their vision into the material. A design using these profiles can transform the ‘big box’ image along highways into something far more appealing.”

The architects he visits typically work at firms already familiar with SAB-profiel. “They know our brand. These are often large architectural firms handling large-scale projects, such as commercial buildings or schools. While these are significant for us, I also want to focus on residential projects. I see considerable potential there.”

At the table during the preliminary design phase

Amir engages with architects as early as the preliminary design phase. This stage is critical for providing sound advice on technical possibilities, colors, coatings, as well as acoustic and fire safety properties. This increases efficiency in the construction process and prevents costly errors.

Through his visits to architectural firms, Amir has already noticed a shift in perception. “I see that my presentations influence designers’ perspectives. By sharing ideas and examples, a shared inspiration process emerges. This makes architects more receptive to new ideas, especially as SAB-profiel continues to align with their design styles and construction preferences.”

Drawn to the Architect collection
Amir himself has a background as an architect. What does he think about the products he “sells” daily? “As an architect, I believe designs should allow for variation and playfulness rather than just symmetrical patterns. That’s why I’m particularly drawn to the recently developed profiles in the Architect collection.”