Tag: coatings | ArchDaily

How Terraco Enhances Thermal Efficiency and Facade Longevity in Prefabricated Buildings

Rene Submissions — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:45:00 +0000

The global offsite construction market—encompassing modular, precast concrete, and hybrid prefabricated systems—was valued at USD 172 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 225.7 billion by 2030 (CAGR 4.9–8%). In the UAE, government targets call for 25–30% offsite content in public projects by 2030; the UK currently leads globally, with 15–20% of housing using offsite solutions. Offsite manufacturing is increasingly promoted as the sustainable future of construction, with benefits including reduced waste, accelerated delivery, and improved quality control. Sustainability is not defined by how quickly a building is assembled. It is defined by how long it performs.

Framing Interiors and Landscapes in Aluminum and Glass to Master the View

Enrique Tovar — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 01:30:00 +0000

Windows have long held an ambivalent role in architecture, as they both define and enclose interiors while simultaneously creating a link to the outdoors. This dual function goes beyond simply meeting construction needs or providing daylight, directly influencing how occupants experience and engage with the views. The 20th century saw the introduction of materials such as steel, aluminum, and glass, which enabled different types of windows with thinner frames and expansive panes, enhancing transparency and reinforcing the visual connection with the surrounding setting.

Burnt Cement vs Porcelain Tile: Resignifying Aesthetics in Architecture

Giovana Martino — Mon, 23 May 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The concept of aesthetics goes back to the Greek civilization and refers to perception through the senses. Despite being a philosophical concept, in architecture, aesthetics is used to translate architectural ideologies and concepts from the set of constructive elements, forms and materials, being intrinsically linked to the physical shape of a building and, therefore, bound to a social, economic and political context. In addition to a discussion of tastes, architectural aesthetics is a source of historical reading and analysis.

Prioritizing Comfort in Interiors: Nature-inspired Floors Made of Wood and Cork

Valeria Montjoy — Thu, 05 May 2022 06:45:00 +0000

Greatly driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, interior design trends that prioritize comfort and well-being have become more prominent than ever in recent years. With former confinement restrictions and the rise of hybrid work, the amount of time spent indoors to carry out daily functions has risen drastically, forcing many to adapt their living spaces accordingly. As a result, demand has focused on residential interiors that foster calmness, peace and warmth, as well as on products and design elements that successfully meet these new needs. But how to achieve this? While there are many ways to promote comfort inside the home, one method has been indisputably proven to be the most successful: bringing nature in.

Questions to Ask When Selecting Flooring

James Wormald — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 04:30:00 +0000

The style and atmosphere of an interior literally rest on one product more than any other: the floor. When selecting the perfect flooring or carpet to suit a project, specifiers need to consider a range of questions for the room. Various colors, patterns, and styles are available across all materials, so requirements like coverage, traffic, maintenance, and durability —rather than aesthetic— really dictate the answer to which flooring type is right for your project.

The Beauty of Stone Floors: Types, Textures, and Options for Architecture

Eduardo Souza — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 07:30:00 +0000

The study of rocks allows us to understand the formation of our earth. Its types, the formed designs, the layers, all reveal the story. Along with the atmosphere and the hydrosphere, the lithosphere is one of the great pieces of the earth system, supporting the biosphere. This outermost solid layer of the planet is made up of rocks and soils; as for rocks, there are several ways to classify them. The most common is to separate them according to their formation processes, such as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic. While sedimentary rocks constitute about 5% of the earth's crust, the remaining 95% are igneous or metamorphic rocks.

Hydraulic Tiles: Artisan Manufacturing and Custom Design

Materials — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Hydraulic tiles are tiles produced entirely by hand with cement-based raw materials. Created in the mid-1800s in Spain, and widely used in Europe and America, it is a versatile option that can not only be applied in public areas, such as squares and sidewalks, but also interiors, including floors, walls, and furniture. Their versatility stems from the fact that they are highly customizable, from their colors and patterns to their geometry and dimensions. Read below a mostly technical explanation of these tiles, their manufacture, and their installation.

The Rustic Beauty of the Chukum in Modern Mexican Architecture

Lilly Cao — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 07:35:00 +0000

In Yucatan, architects are reviving an ancient Mayan stucco technique for contemporary buildings, merging modern architecture with regional history and culture. The technique is called “chukum,” a term derived from the colloquial name for the Havardia albicans tree native to Mexico. Made with chukum tree bark, the material has several defining qualities that separate it from traditional stucco, including impermeable properties and a natural earthy color. Though chukum initially fell out of use following Spanish conquest of the Maya civilization, it was rediscovered and reemployed by Salvador Reyes Rios of the architecture firm Reyes Rios + Larrain Arquitectos in the late 1990’s, initiating a resurgence of use in the area.

How to Choose Pavements for High-Traffic Public Spaces

Audrey Migliani — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 07:35:00 +0000

Currently, there are a multitude of pavements in the market, each with different characteristics. When designing a public space, it is essential to ask the right questions regarding requirements and functions to determine the right material for the job. To begin: Where will the pavement be installed? (Will it be protected, exposed, wet, or damp?). What level of traffic will it experience? (Light, moderate, or high?). What type of traffic will it experience? (Pedestrians, bicycles, light vehicles, or heavy vehicles?). What other factors should be considered based on preexisting conditions?

From these questions, it is possible to draw a more precise and effective profile of the "abrasion resistance" of the pavement, an important factor to guarantee the durability and efficiency of the material. Then, the aesthetic, functional, economic, and sustainable factors may be added.

Ensure Long-Lasting Design with Resilient Floor Systems

Megan Schires — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 04:30:00 +0000

From hospitals and retail stores to large commercial facilities and school buildings, resilient flooring is a popular choice for its durability. Yet like any material, it is subject to human error and neglect; if not properly maintained, even resilient flooring may deteriorate (in aesthetics, function, or both) before its time.

Rubber Skin Buildings: A Malleable, Seamless Architecture

Lilly Cao — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:00:00 +0000

For the most part, rubber isn’t considered a conventional building material – at least not to the same extent that materials like wood, concrete, or glass are. But rubber is commonly used in interiors for flooring of extraordinary color or brightness, and even more unexpectedly for exterior facades with unique aspects or upholstery effects. This functionality is motivated by unique advantages such as smoothness, elasticity, durability, and color consistency.

Terrazzo is Back: Production, Installation, and Samples in Architecture

Audrey Migliani — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 03:00:00 +0000

Terrazzo is made by combining a cement base (sand, water, and cement) with a mixture of ground minerals - like marble, granite, and quartz - and can be applied to almost any surface, vertical or horizontal. The technique, produced using a completely hand-crafted method, was used worldwide in the construction of modern buildings and is noted for its durability, resistance (to water and abrasion), and easy maintenance. This made it a go-to material in the creation of flooring for houses and the common areas of residential and office buildings.

Natural Authentic, Lively and Unique Look - Swisspearl Largo Vintago

Sponsored Post — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The mineral material of fiber cement combined with a sanded surface gives Vintago a natural authentic, lively and unique look.

Designed for More than Work

Sponsored Post — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Until a few years ago, kitchens were still separate rooms where food was prepared, but nowadays their role has changed. With open-plan designs, often combined with a dining or living room, they are a place for coming together and, in many homes, the centre of everyday life. This multiple function challenges designers to produce coordinated room concepts with a uniform look.
Compromises when it comes to design and colour? Nobody wants that when planning their perfect kitchen. There is a demand for materials with surfaces that always look the same no matter the use, for kitchen and living room designs

How to Install Wood Laminate Flooring

AD Editorial Team — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 10:59:00 +0000

The installation of wood laminate flooring may seem basic or even alien to what we do as architectural designers, but that should not be the case. When we understand the characteristics of the materials we specify and their assembly processes, we can design in a more efficient manner, adjusting our proposals to the requirements of the project.

Renovation of Chilevisión / elton_léniz + Ramírez y Rodríguez

David Basulto — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Architects: Elton_Léniz
Associate Architects: Alvaro Ramírez, Germán Rodríguez
Client: Chilevisión
Renovation: 1211m2
Year: 2005-2007
Location: Inés Matte Urrejola 0825, Providencia, Santiago, Chile
Photography: Natalia Vial
Predominant Materials: Madera, Prodema, Vidrio, Piedra pizarra