Dri-Design's MA-X Rainscreen System Uses 100% Aluminum Panels to Eliminate Composite Cores
The MA-X system from Dri-Design is a modular rainscreen façade designed for large-format panels, featuring a drained and back-ventilated structure. These panels, which come in painted or anodized finishes measuring up to 4' × 12', avoid the delamination issues associated with traditional aluminum composite materials (ACM) by incorporating structural stiffeners within a single aluminum sheet, ranging from 0.063" to 0.080" thick, ensuring a full aluminum composition. Capable of withstanding wind loads of up to 130 PSF, the panels also comply with HVHZ large-missile impact standards. They include an interlocking gutter and drainage system, utilizing a single attachment point for installation. Dri-Design, a subsidiary of Kingspan, has set a goal to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 70% by 2030. This article was authored by Agustina Iñiguez and published on September 24, 2026.
Key facts
- Dri-Design's MA-X is a modular, drained and back-ventilated rainscreen façade system for large-format panels, available in painted or anodized finishes.
- Panels are available in sizes up to 4' × 12' in vertical or horizontal orientations.
- Aluminum thicknesses in the MA-X panels range from 0.063" to 0.080".
- The panels are engineered to withstand high wind loads of up to 130 PSF and to comply with HVHZ large-missile impact requirements.
- Conventional aluminum composite material (ACM) bonds two thin aluminum skins to a plastic core, adding stiffness but risking delamination and hindering full recycling.
- MA-X uses structural stiffeners integrated into a single aluminum sheet, keeping the panel 100% aluminum from face to core.
- Dri-Design is part of Kingspan, whose Planet Passionate program focuses on climate change, circularity, and protecting the natural world.
- The 2025 Planet Passionate report cites a 70% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared with 2020, 63% renewable energy use, and 1.05 million metric tons of recycled and renewable raw materials.
Entities
Artists
- Agustina Iñiguez
Institutions
- Dri-Design
- Kingspan
- ArchDaily