There are a multitude of benefits to utilizing metal substrates in architectural applications. The many benefits include customization, economic efficiency, innovative design opportunities and ease of both fabrication and installation. Whether the material is a metal composite or single skin, these products offer a sustainable and tested alternative to traditional cladding materials.

In an article by Cristina Villalón, Co-Founder and Lead Designer at Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón, she discusses over a dozen popular trends in hospitality design. As she describes, the average hotel patron is exceedingly difficult to please, she states, “Their expectations are high. Their appetites, eclectic. And their fingers are ever-busy, hammering on smartphones, sharing every experience—especially unpleasant and disappointing ones…” To accommodate this demanding consumer base, design requirements are purposeful, contemporary and sophisticated.

All sorts of assumptions are made when we think of medical architecture; hospitals, urgent care units and medical office buildings. A natural assumption is that these buildings will be boring, clean and sterile. Historically these buildings are made of traditional materials, like brick, but over the years, there has been a movement towards metal accents and in some cases metal envelopment.

These days sustainability and architecture go hand-in-hand. Members of the architectural market segment are constantly developing new ways to build better buildings. Whether a building is used for education, medical or residential purposes, buildings have one thing in common, they provide essential spaces for human beings. There are an abundance of ways architects can design buildings to be sustainable utilizing ecologically friendly building products or innovative construction techniques.

In constructing educational facades, architects are inspired by the students and faculty that inhabit these spaces. Often focused on concepts concerning sustainability and natural daylighting, these façades have to provide both communicative and academic-focused designs.