Seeing the nature affecting architecture for better is not always a given. Some materials are pretty poor survivors such as some types of stone and timber and can deteriorate extensively affecting not only the appearance but the structural integrity of a building. Others are near resistant to weathering such as granite and stainless steel and remain as pristine as they were on the day of installation after years of exposure. A few materials weather really beautifully, changing their appearance with time and taking on their ultimate look only after the exposure to weather, such as copper and zinc for instance. Weathering steel, better known as Corten is a perfect example of a material which improves with exposure to the environment. Here it is on the face of an external door of our project while waiting for the final coat of Corten cladding for the adjoining walls. Just beautiful!
