Lead – a contemporary building material

Richard Diment, Lead Sheet Association (LSA) executive manager, discusses the relevance of rolled lead sheet in modern construction Lead is often perceived as a heritage material. That is understandable, considering that it has been used in construction for centuries, and... View Article

SIG Zinc & Copper detects metal renaissance

Growing numbers of architects are choosing metal for roofs and cladding not only because of its undoubted green credentials and lustrous good looks but also because the use of the material has evolved stylistically. By Simon Walker, category manager for... View Article

Galvanizing in the public realm

Modern life can have a habit of being fast, furious and disposable. Long-term thinking is often eschewed for the here and now. We all share a responsibility to balance value for money today with decisions that will remain appropriate for... View Article

Dipping has the edge over blasting

If a priceless piece of architecture has not been renovated for over 100 years, how can you clean it thoroughly without losing any of its decorative features? Forget shot blasting and dip it in a tank, says Adrian McMurray, MD... View Article

Metal in architecture showcase

  Foster + Partners has revealed designs for the sustainable new headquarters of RMK in Yekaterinburg, one of the world’s leading producers of copper – the project rethinks the conventional cellular office to set new standards in quality, comfort and... View Article

Redefining copper

Sometimes we need to look back to understand the dynamics of developments in architectural materials – particularly metals – and where they might lead in the future. Copper cladding is one example with a growing and diverse presence in contemporary... View Article

Aluminium sustainability within the building industry

Justin Ratcliffe, chief executive at the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), reviews issues surrounding aluminium recycling and sustainability and highlights a number of projects undertaken by CAB and other leading International organisations who CAB partner with, including the International... View Article

Stainless steel in architecture – versatility and utility

Alan Harrison, technical advisor for the British Stainless Steel Association, explains why the use of stainless steel is so varied in architectural applications Since its invention in 1913, stainless steel has been used in a wide variety of architectural applications,... View Article

Metal comes to the fore in public-facing projects

Steve Menary explores the changing use of metal in major public-facing projects from sports to leisure and retail Most of the sports fans in the Chris Hoy Velodrome at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow would have been gripped by... View Article

Metal in architecture

Architectural systems specialist, DML Group, specialises in external aluminium façades, cladding, windows, unitised and curtain walling. The company works with architects and specifiers across a diverse range of schemes and is a preferred supplier for several of the UK’s largest... View Article

Walthamstow blues

A 13-storey hotel next to Walthamstow Central Station, London, has been completed, clad with Nordic Blue Living copper from Aurubis Architectural alongside black brickwork. Located on a prominent town centre site, the 107-bedroom hotel forms a key part of a... View Article

Armstrong effects on metal

A new range of ’effects on metal’ ceiling solutions has been launched by Armstrong. A snapshot guide to the effects that can be achieved on its metal ceiling tiles and planks for prestigious high-end projects has been launched by Armstrong.... View Article

Construction steelwork makes its 3D printing premiere

Using the latest 3D printing techniques, or more accurately, ‘additive manufacturing’ – the Arup team has produced a design method for critical structural steel elements for use in complex projects. The work signals a whole new direction for the use... View Article