A well-designed modern home looks clean and almost minimalist in its finished form. This clean simplicity can sometimes hide the hours of intensive thought that went into each line, curve, and surface. Designers have to balance aesthetics, performance, longevity, and often most importantly, the surrounding landscape. New technologies have improved metal siding panel systems, allowing designers more flexibility in their designs, knowing that the performance and longevity of the product is up to their standards.
Charred Wood is the process of lightly applying an open flame to a wood plank to char the surface of the board. The charred exterior not only helps to weatherproof the siding and act as a deterrent to insects, but it also looks extremely stunning!
Shou Sugi Ban is a commonly used variation of the Japanese word Yakisugi. In Japanese, Yaki means to heat with fire, and Sugi means Japanese Cedar. Ban translates to a plank, and in this case, a wood plank.
Shou Sugi Ban was first seen used in 18th century Japan as a technique for charring the outer layer of a wooden plank (usually cedar) to help protect the façade against weather and insects. In recent years, the visual appeal of this technique has been adopted by architects and designers around the world. Commonly referred to as Charred Wood or Burnt Wood, this technique can be applied to a range of wood siding panels.
The Old West is known for its rustic charm and rugged landscapes. That is why homeowners and designers love to use the Wild West as design inspiration for residential and commercial spaces, even on the East Coast.
One company that is witnessing this first hand is Great Country Timber Frames out of Connecticut. "There’s a strong nostalgia for the West in the East Coast, where Cape- and Colonial-style homes and businesses are the norm. From cowboys to wide open blue skies, New Englanders are fond of the West. The appeal of rustic design on the east coast is certainly in the wanting to be different."
With so many different options on the market, it can be tricky to decide which types of metal roofs are best for your home or building. From classic copper to innovative steel, each type of metal roofing material has its own unique advantages. Let's explore the different types of metal roofing materials, as well as their pros and cons.
1. Copper — Extremely long-lasting, very soft with low melting temperature
2. Aluminum — Long-lasting, resistant to salt water corrosion
3. Zinc — Extremely long-lasting, resistant to corrosion and lowest melting point
4. Steel — Three variations: galvanized, galvalume, and weathering steel (Corten)
5. Tin — Often referring to steel, used prior to World War II. No longer commonly applied.
In the past few years, we’ve watched the design aesthetic go back and forth between the sleek, cool, sharp lines of Modern style and the cozy, comfy, woodsy feeling of Rustic style. More recently, the two designs have found each other working closely together. Those crisp, modern lines are mixing with warm, earthy materials like natural wood and stone to achieve a brilliant and unique style.
Corrugated metal is becoming one of the most sought-after panels for interior and exterior building projects. With expanded options in both size and color, corrugated metal is popping up on new houses and renovations across the country. If you like the look of this wavy material, but aren’t sure where to put it, here are five new ways to update your home with corrugated metal.
At a recent AIA Conference trade show, our corrugated metal panels were laid out. People would say, “Wow, I never thought you could use metal for interior projects.” Your could see projects flashing through their minds using modern rustic corrugated metal in place of boring, grey painted walls.
There is nothing typical about Rumour’s Coffee Shop and Wine Bar in the Black Hills of South Dakota. That's because there is nothing typical about co-owner Tara Little, a woman with a vision for a community gathering space that also serves coffee and a fun selection of wine and craft beers.
The vast fields and farmland that surrounds Bozeman, MT tell the story of a past built on agriculture. The remnants of steel towers and granaries reflect the history of the strong crop processing industry that supported the city through most of the 19th century.
Tom Duffy and his family purchased the Bozeman KOA two years ago with the vision of expanding family friendly camping opportunities to travelers on their way to and from Yellowstone National Park. The Duffy family already owns Bozeman Hot Springs next door and hatched a plan to expand offerings, kids activities, and amenities for people on the road looking for a fun and safe spot to enjoy vacations and road trips across the west.
For years the Imperial Inn, an old motor inn on Main Street in downtown Bozeman, MT, sat empty; a relic from the past. This prime piece of real estate needed a new vision and a modern direction, which is exactly what architect Eric Nelson, from Think Tank AIA, saw when he and his business partner, architect Brian Caldwell, purchased the building.
