Materials

4 Ways to Improve Architectural Materials Selection

To maintain clarity and consistency for all stakeholders across the industry, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) defines Five Phases of Architectural Design: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding, and Construction Administration. Of these five stages, the first two: Schematic Design and Design Development — focused on building needs, designs, and materials — are arguably the most challenging and laborious in terms of getting started and building momentum. Here’s a four-step process that can make it easier to get started, explore more concepts and materials, and deliver the best designs for the project and client.

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Stainless Steel Guide Part 3: Surface Innovations and Ambient Reflectivity

Explore how stainless steel finishes engineered for high light diffusion and controlled reflectivity are expanding contemporary architectural applications. Finely textured surfaces like Angel Hair® and GB-60™ soften glare, scatter ambient light, and create visual depth without sacrificing durability or performance. These finishes make stainless steel especially well-suited for façades, interiors, and environments where subtlety, movement, and human-scale experience matter as much as strength and longevity.

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Stainless Steel Guide Part 2: Finishes, Color, and Light

Explore the remarkable range of finishes, colors, and light interactions that make stainless steel so compelling in architecture and design. Its surface treatments — from mechanical textures and embossing to chemical and interference coloring — influence how light is reflected, diffused, or absorbed, yielding effects that range from mirror-like brilliance to subtle glow. Stainless steel's wide variety of finishes and color possibilities gives designers an unmatched palette for shaping appearance, mood, and spatial experience.

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Stainless Steel Guide Part 1: Design, Fabrication, and Architecture

Stainless steel — the king of architectural metals — is prized for its unique combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and reflective beauty. Its modern prominence began in the 20th century, with iconic early applications like the Gateway Arch and the Chrysler Building showcasing its enduring appeal. Stainless steel offers a multitude of finishes and textures, performance, and expressive design for façades, roofs, and sculptural work — all rooted in its modern metallurgical evolution.

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Weathering Steel Guide Part 3: Preweathered Solanum™ Steel

Discover how weathering steel evolves beyond traditional COR-TEN into controlled, high-performance surfaces tailored for modern architecture. Innovative products like Solanum™ preweathered steel offer richer, more stable patinas, reduce staining and inconsistencies, and expand possibilities for indoor and integrated applications. By addressing the limitations of natural oxidation, these next-generation materials broaden where and how weathering steel’s aesthetic and functional strengths can be confidently specified.

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