Colorful, Durable, and Machinable: How Nu-Ray Metal Roofing Panels Became an Artistic Centerpiece
Artist John Fleming had a vision.
He’d been selected to build a large, outdoor project in Bothell, WA. The installation would act as a sort of visual welcome to the city, standing at the entryway to its growing downtown.
But the logistics would be challenging.
The project would wrap around the exterior of the Alexan Main Street Apartments, which anchor the downtown’s southwest corner. And it would live outdoors, exposed to the Pacific Northwest’s long, rainy winters.
The design and materials would need to be extremely sturdy while still creating a bright, attractive presence for the city.
A Vision of Bothell’s Future—and its Distant Past
Fleming was the right person for the job.
He’s built 30+ installations across nine states, often blurring the line between art and architecture with his work.
For this project he envisioned a steel-framed facade bursting from the apartment’s base and covered in thousands of multicolor “petals.” And printed on the petals would be the story of Bothell.
But not just the story of the city’s founding. This story would stretch back millennia, tracing the land’s journey from the ice age into the distant future.
Now he needed the right partners to make it happen.
The Right People and Materials to Make a Lasting Impact
The city of Bothell was already on board with Fleming’s vision. So were TRC, the developers of the Alexan complex.
He recruited Metalistics for the fabrication. And he teamed up with local writer Ann Bieri to collaborate on the story.
But the centerpiece of the installation would be the multicolored petals.
For those he needed a material that was both colorful and durable. Something that would look just as good after years of rain and sun as it did on day one.
That’s when he turned to Nu-Ray.
How Nu-Ray Panels Offered the Perfect Solution
Fleming had used Nu-Ray metal roofing panels for a residential project he designed.
“The panels come in a selection of pre-painted colors,” he said. Which meant he would have a good palette to work with. “And they can be cut with our large water-jet cutting machine.” That way he could make a number of his “petals” from each panel.
Plus he knew that Nu-Ray’s Kynar finish is guaranteed for 40 years, so they would stand the test of time.
“I had a good relationship with Jeremy Legary at Nu-Ray,” said Fleming.
So he called him up and got to work.
Fabricating a Vision into Reality
First, Fleming needed to test his vision.
“I worked back and forth with Nu-Ray and Metalistics,” he said. “We started with smaller samples and eventually built a full size mockup in Metalistic’s shop to test the attachments.”
Once they figured out how all the pieces fit together, they sent the petals for printing. “We worked with SuperGraphics to print text on 1,400 of the petals,” he said.
Finally he had all the pieces to install the finished piece.
A Colorful Welcome for Years to Come
In February of 2025, three years after he started working on the project, Fleming and team completed the installation.
Now as you drive into Bothell’s downtown you’re greeted with Fleming’s colorful, whimsical creation. It draws you in and invites curiosity. And it sets the tone for a lively downtown visit.
And thanks to Nu-Ray’s incredible durability, it will last for many years to come.
