The Appeal of Aluminum in Architecture

Though the incredible qualities of aluminum have been known since the 19^th century, the first major construction project to utilize aluminum did not occur until the 1920s—but even then the aluminum use was limited to decorative detailing. Finally, the world famous Empire State Building was constructed in 1930, using aluminum for its interior structures and signature spire. Nearly 90 years later, aluminum rules the industry as one of the most efficient and sustainable construction choices.

Architecture Advantages

Aluminum is known for its flexibility, especially considering the Empire State Building’s 1994 updates. At that time, 5,460 windows in the Empire State Building had to be replaced because the original steel frames had deteriorated and were allowing frost, water, and air to leak through. The steel frames were replaced with aluminum frames, and the original paint color was even able to be matched and restored with such precision that it was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Society.

Structural Strength

Modern designs in new buildings often call for walls of nothing but heavy glass to maximize natural sunlight, and aluminum is up to the challenge of support such incredible weight. The George Bush International Airport, for example, boasts high strength aluminum framing to support its expansive glass windows.

Sustainable

Sustainability is a huge issue in our society right now as we find that more and more of our resources have been exploited. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs) certifications are now available for buildings that are proven to maximize energy efficiency and minimize resource waste. Buildings made of aluminum have a much easier time ascertaining LEED certification, because aluminum’s recycling process reduces energy consumption by more than 90 percent!

Aluminum has established itself as the great construction tool of our time. While brick and stone will always be classics, aluminum offers modern solutions to many common architectural needs.