Ideas to share...
Architectural products and materials knowledge keeps us relevant to your design process. We regularly engage with product representatives, attend industry seminars, and contribute to industry groups in order to maintain our awareness of changes and new processes in the construction industry.
Additionally, we participate on panels and in discussions, sit on student critiques and juries, attend design conferences, and provide education opportunities to remain at the forefront of ideas and knowledge in the design community.
Below are systems, components, products and materials which we've brought to the attention of our clients and incorporated into recent projects. For a list of manufacturer's representatives for the regions we are working in, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Additional, visit our What's that? page for a primer on where to find some of the many building components that we specify.
Inclusion and equity...
We are aware of how entrenched and systemic bias may affect how the projects we work on may be bid and constructed. We're working on ways to incorporate language that breaks down barriers to bidding involvement and being part of construction teams for women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses. We invite our architect-clients and our contractor and subcontractor partners to lend their experience and expertise to this mission. We're happy to discuss the ways we are striving to create inclusive and equitable specifications.
Refer to the following sources for the latest social equity resources:
- Design for Freedom Report and Toolkit: Information about the movement to end forced labor in the building materials supply chain
- JUST Label: Helping manufacturers, designers and organizations optimize policies that improve social equity.
- LEED v4.1 Social Equity Pilot: Meet all 8 Fundamental Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
- Living Product Challenge Equity Petal: Products that are respectful of workers’ rights, making a positive impact on communities.
- WELL Equity Rating: Spanning six action areas: User Experience and Feedback, Responsible Hiring and Labor Practices, Inclusive Design, Health Benefits and Services, Supportive Programs and Spaces, and Community Engagement.
For our position on equity and inclusion in hiring and employment, please refer to our Career page.
Resilience
Many paths toward resilience are available to the design community, one of those being reuse of existing materials. We're collecting examples of innovative ways to achieve resilience through standard and adaptive reuse. Let us know if you have suggestions!
Lime-Based Mortar: Installing brick masonry using hydraulic lime mortar, instead of modern Portland cement-based mortars, allows for easy separation of the brick for reuse when a building is renovated or demolished.
- Lime mortar has a lower, more flexible bond strength than rigid cement mortar. This allows the structure to accommodate minor movements (thermal expansion, settlement) without cracking the bricks, but it also means the bond can be broken more easily during demolition. Note that natural hydraulic lime mortars should be used, as they set faster and are stronger than non-hydraulic lime (lime putty) mortars.
- Historically, lime mortar was intended to be the sacrificial element in a masonry wall, eroding sooner than the harder bricks themselves do. This preserves the masonry units for decades or even centuries.
- The softer nature of cured lime mortar allows it can be cleaned off of salvaged bricks with less effort, often with hand tools and water, without damaging the brick faces. Following removal, the lime mortar itself can be crushed and recycled as an aggregate in new lime mortars or used as a soil conditioner.
- Ease of separation and cleaning facilitates the high-value reuse of the original bricks, which is a major sustainability advantage over cement-based construction where reclaiming bricks is often not cost-effective or practical.
Lafarge Natural Hydraulic Lime
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Limeworks Ecologic Hydraulic Lime Platinum
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ProMason Lime Mortar
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Worker safety
Our clients should note that Australia recently became the first country to announce a ban on engineered stone, following a surge in workers developing the lung disease silicosis. This is a product range commonly used for restroom, kitchen and bathroom countertops, as well as increasingly for facade panels. However, we believe that the issue extends beyond a specific product type like engineered stone, as cutting, grinding and polishing natural stone, concrete, fiber cement and other cementitious and masonry materials can generate silica dust, a known threat to worker safety and already regulated by OSHA and various state agencies.
We'll be monitoring this matter for ways that specifications can incorporate better language about proper shop-production using wet cutting, dust filter and collection attachments, and improved personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. While matters regarding procedures of manufacturers, fabricators and installers are commonly considered "means and methods" processes, we nonetheless take worker safety and equity seriously, and will seek ways to appropriately address health concerns related to the products we're asked to specify for our clients. Images below have links articles and more information.
ABC News (Australia)
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Los Angeles Times
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American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
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Occupant safety
There are standards and best practices that we encounter in the many places we specify projects for our clients. We're in a good position to bring to our clients' attention design ideas and solutions we've seen elsewhere, as well as to alert design teams to matters we think worth considering.
As an example, horizontal pipe, rod or cable infill at guardrails is not allowed in some jurisdictions. Children are sometimes tempted and can easily climb guardrails with horizontal pickets or cables; they could easily flip over the railing upon reaching the top. Only vertical pickets or solid, perforated or mesh infill is allowed in such jurisdictions. Additionally, for perforated or mesh infill, openings may not be allowed to exceed a certain size smaller than the standard 4 inch diameter ball, to deny entry of a child’s foot or shoe, again to resist climbing. This may not apply to the jurisdiction for your project, however like many best practices, it may be prudent to follow these restrictions nonetheless.
As an example, horizontal pipe, rod or cable infill at guardrails is not allowed in some jurisdictions. Children are sometimes tempted and can easily climb guardrails with horizontal pickets or cables; they could easily flip over the railing upon reaching the top. Only vertical pickets or solid, perforated or mesh infill is allowed in such jurisdictions. Additionally, for perforated or mesh infill, openings may not be allowed to exceed a certain size smaller than the standard 4 inch diameter ball, to deny entry of a child’s foot or shoe, again to resist climbing. This may not apply to the jurisdiction for your project, however like many best practices, it may be prudent to follow these restrictions nonetheless.
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Emerging and solution-driven products
Dura-Fuse Frames
Repairable steel moment frame connectors are sacrificial, replaceable seismic "fuses", avoiding damage to the structural frame.
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Yield Link Brace Connection
Repairable steel moment frame connectors are sacrificial, replaceable seismic "fuses", avoiding damage to the structural frame.
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Cast Connex
Timber End Connectors are clevis-type fittings for mass timber structural elements at architecturally exposed applications.
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Elevator Design Studio
An online, interactive tool that lets configure elevator interiors, apply materials and finishes from an extensive surfaces library, view realistic renderings, and request cost estimates.
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AviProtek E by Walker Glass
Bird-friendly glass combines acid-etched visual markers on the 1st surface with high performance low-emissivity coating on the 2nd surface, providing visible deterrence on the most effective side.
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Ridge Baffle by Turf
Ridge Baffle provides a felt-based acoustic panel system with a crisp profile and gradual change in pattern. Ridge installs with magnets to standard suspended ceiling grid.
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Softcrete seating by Gufram
The result of a collaboration between English designer Ross Lovegrove and furnishings manufacturer company Gufram resulted in this soft 'concrete' seating
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Proflow by Black Locust Lumber
We introduced our client to this product for a school in Portland; naturally rot-, water-, and fungal-resistant Black Locust pavers make for a long-lasting landscape surface
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Engineered Fall Protection
Freestanding Deadweight Anchor Systems provides tie-off points for work on roofs and facades, without penetrating the waterproofing or thermal bridging.
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VMZ Standing Seam by VMZinc
We've specified VMZinc for the roof, wall and soffit standing seam metal panels, for a university marine science facility in the harsh Oregon coast environment.
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Hansen Architectural Systems
For the Locks Tower project in Richmond, Virginia, glazed wind screen panels at the rooftop pool deck allow maintenance ropes to pass under the panels.
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Vitro Architectural Glass
For many of our projects, we specify Vitro Architectural Glazing products as the basis-of-design. Their availability and service are second to none.
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Opaci-Coat 300 by
ICD High Performance Coatings |
Fenix NTM by Arpa Industriale and Ultra-Matte Traceless by Wilsonart
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Pika-Pika by Nakamoto Forestry
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Spandrel glass and glass wall-cladding with an infinite variety of color availability
Pacific Northwest-based company with Mindful Materials and HPD certifications |
We have been specifying a laminate material that is anti-fingerprint, soft to the touch, thru-body color, opaque and durable
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Also on the university marine science facility in the harsh Oregon coast environment, Yakisugi (aka shou sugi ban) treated lumber siding materials
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Spiral VP by Rytec
On many of the multi-family residential buildings we specify, high-speed spiral doors for fast-acting openings at garages
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Dip-Tech
Maker of glass frit printers for full-color printing on glazing, locally provided in the Pacific NW by Hartung Glass.
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Privada
For improved non-gender restroom design, European-style glass, wood veneer and laminate toilet compartments
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R-Stud
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Oval Fire Products
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Sculpt Nouveau
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Innovative light-gauge steel stud framing larger, flanged openings and longer spacing
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Innovative, oval-shaped fire extinguishers fit into fully recessed cabinets in nearly any depth wall or partition
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Several of our projects' designers are calling for blackened steel fabrications using patina and metal finishing products
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Protectosil Antigraffiti by Evonik
Non-visible, nearly VOC-free, silane-based anti-graffiti treatment for stone, concrete and masonry exterior finishes
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Vents by Seiho
Nicely designed, wide variety of aluminum and plastic vents for exterior penetrating dryer, bathroom and kitchen ventilation.
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Cavity Sliders
Ceiling-mounted, recessed tracks sit flush with the ceiling, allowing sliding doors to cleanly span the full height of the space.
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Decorcable by Carl Stahle
Stainless steel wire mesh guardrail infill, in natural and black finish
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Infill Panels by McNichols
Perforated, expanded and wire mesh for railings, risers, fencing, cabinets, facades, and partitions
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Architectural Gabions
by Gabion Supply Supplies and materials for rock-, cobble- or riprap-filled gabions for building walls, retaining walls and landscape features
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Polished concrete topping products
Ardex PC-T
Ardex PC-T is a self-drying, self-leveling blend of Portland cements and other hydraulic cements for creating a polished concrete topping.
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Scraffino Micro-Topping
Scraffino by Duraamen is a Portland cement-based concrete microtopping creating the appearance of hand-applied, polished concrete floor.
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High density fiber cement siding products
Cembrit
Swisspearl has purchased Danish facade materials manufacturer Cembrit, 6/2022.
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Equitone
Through-color panels, 5 textures/ finishes with 2 to 20 colors for each, standard panel and plank configurations, ten-year warranty.
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KØL
Through-color panels, 12 colors, 5 textures/ finishes, standard panel and plank configurations, ten-year warranty.
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Rieder Oko Skin
Through-color panels, slatted panels, 13 mm thick, standard 5-13/16 by 70-7/8 inches, up to 11-7/8 by 98-7/16 inches, many colors.
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Rieder Concrete Skin
Through-color panels, large format, 13 mm thick, 3 standard formats, plus up to 59-1/2 by 196-7/8 inches, many colors.
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Swisspearl
Through-color panels, 10 wall panel color lines, 2 wall panel formats, 10 roof panel colors, 3 slate roof panel formats, 8 corrugated roof panels formats.
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Modified wood siding products
Cork and bark insulation and cladding products
Lambourde by Amorim Cork Insulation
Cork underlayment for floors and walls, provding thermal and acoustic isolation
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Thermacork by Amorim Cork Insulation
Exterior, exposed cork cladding, providing integral water-shedding and thermal and acoustic isolation
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Bark Shingle and Panel Siding
by Bark House Reclaimed tree bark of poplar and birch species for exterior cladding and poplar, birch, cherry and pine for interior cladding.
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PVDF and FEVE coatings
Hylar 5000 by Syensqo
One of only two fluoropolymer resins for liquid polyvinylidine flouride coil and extrusion coatings (PVDF), required at 70% to meet AAMA 2604 and 2605
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Kynar 500 FSF by Arkema
One of only two fluoropolymer resins for liquid polyvinylidine flouride coil and extrusion coatings (PVDF), required at 70% to meet AAMA 2604 and 2605
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Duranar by PPG Industries
One of only two PVDF resin-based coil and extrusion coatings, for 2- and 3-coat finishes in standard and custom colors, including metallics. PPG uses Kynar 500 resin to meet AAMA 2604 and 2605
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Fluropon by Sherwin-Williams (formerly Valspar)
One of only two PVDF resin-based coil and extrusion coatings, for 2- and 3-coat finishes in standard and custom colors, including metallics. Valspar uses Hylar 5000 resin to meet AAMA 2604 and 2605
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Illumipon by Sherwin-Williams
Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) resin-based coil and extrusion coatings with superior color retention, in standard and custom colors; meets AAMA 2605
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Lumiflon by AGC Chemicals Americas
Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) resin-based coil and extrusion coatings with superior color retention, in standard and custom colors; meets AAMA 2605
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Coraflon by PPG Industries
Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) resin-based coil and extrusion coatings with superior color retention, in standard and custom colors; meets AAMA 2605
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Valflon by Sherwin-Williams (formerly Valspar)
Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) resin-based coil and extrusion coatings with superior color retention, in standard and custom colors; meets AAMA 2605
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Interpon D3000 by AkzoNobel
A fluoropolymer-based powder coating meeting AAMA 2205 standards, with hundreds of standard colors
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Pacific northwest-based mass timber sources
Mass Plywood Panels
Oregon-based, family-owned timber company Freres Brothers created the concept of mass plywood panels (MPP)
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CLT and GLT
Washington-based Mercer Mass Timber, formed with the purchase of Structurlam Mass Timber, produces cross-laminated timber and glue-laminated timber.
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Mass Timber Fabrication
TimberLab, an Oregon-based branch of Swinerton procures fabricates and erects mass timber for many of our projects
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Mass timber hardware sources
Wurth Timber Fasteners
Wurth fasteners are used on many of the projects we've specified, distributed in the U.S. and Canada by MTC Solutions
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Mass Timber Hardware
Plates, splices, fasteners and other hardware by MTC Solutions provide structural connections for mass timber
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Schmid Timber Fasteners
Schmid Schrauben Hainfeld fasteners
are often used on mass timber projects we specify |
Rothoblaas Hardware
Rothoblaas produces cutting-edge hardware, fasteners, tools and other solutions for all aspects of mass timber
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Strong-Drive Fasteners
Simpson Strong-Tie is one of the only U.S. manufacturers of fasteners for mass timber construction
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Mass Timber Fabricator
Timberlab, a division of Swinerton, provides mass timber procurement, design, fabrication, delivery and erection
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Exterior mass timber, wood siding and carpentry finishes
Premium Blue Label Penofin
Penetrating finish for exterior wood siding and fabrications, using Brazilian Rosewood oil without creating a surface film
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PPG Proluxe
PPG is the U.S. distributor of the Sikkens brand of finishes, as the Prolux line for exterior wood siding and fabrications
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Sansin Factory Finish
Sansin's KP-12 Enviro Stain is a great finish for both exterior-exposed and interior mass timber panels and frame members.
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Accessibility products
Dart Canyon by Elkay
Kitchen sink that mounts without a lower cabinet, accommodating seated and shorter users with three widths available
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V-1504 Prestige Lift
Savaria makes attractively designed vertical accessibility lifts, with glazed sides and stainless steel and colored metal finishes
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Gensis Opal Lift
Garaventa Lift makes attractively designed vertical accessibility lifts that can meet limited budgets without being ugly
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Insulation products
Next generation extruded (NGX) polystyrene insulation
Polystyrene NGX board replaces XPS board that uses blowing agents that have exceedingly high global warming potential (GWP), while providing higher thermal resistance. The blowing agent for NGX is HFO-1233zd, which has a GWP < 1, meaning lower than CO2 (GWP = 1). The GWP of HFC-134a, the traditional blowing agent for XPS, is between 1300 and 1430!
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Lower-impact closed-cell spray polyurethane foam insulation
Spray-foam is available from several manufacturers now with blowing agents based on hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) chemistry, for lower ozone depletion potential (ODP) and lower global warming potential (GWP) than standard spray polyurethane foam products, while providing increased thermal performance.
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Sitework products:
Living breakwater elements
Partially submerged breakwaters constructed with stone and ecologically enhanced concrete units that functions as habitat for marine species, an example of how to “design not against but with nature in adapting to the changes that lie ahead.”
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Modular landscape support
Modular suspended pavement system that uses soil volumes to support large tree growth and provide powerful on-site stormwater management through absorption, evapotranspiration, and interception.
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Other product sources
Here are some more sources for valuable product information:
Vendor Directory
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Portland Material Transparency Collaborative's Resources
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Healthy Product Declaration Collaborative
Over 40,000 products with HPDs, synchronized with LEED, WELL, and others.
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Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Products
Standard providing a framework to assess the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance.
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Mindful Materials' Common Materials Framework
Organizes over 100 of the most common building product and material sustainability certifications and disclosure programs, giving structure to over 650 factors within five categories.
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Living Building Institute's
Declare Label Platform to share and find healthy building products, based on manufacturer's voluntarily disclosure of product information.
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Ecomedes
Ecomedes platform provides product selection and tracking by commercial real estate owners for compliance with sustainability goals, pledges, requirements and regulations.
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Greenhealth Approved
Greenhealth Approved seal helps identify products for health care projects that meet sustainability criteria and are less impactful on human and environmental health.
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HomeFree by
Healthy Building Network Healthy Building Network's HomeFree provides product guidance using a red-to-green ranking system to compare different products based on hazardous content.
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Climate Smart Wood Group
Climate Smart Wood Group offers procurement guidance to help inform specifications, refine project goals, and navigate supply chains to meet project sustainability goals.
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Manufacturer's representatives
We do our best to keep the Manufacturers Representatives listed below up to date. If we have old or incorrect information here, please let us know. If you're a manufacturer's representative and your name isn't here, let us know and we'll be happy to add your contact information.
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Rep's, contact us here:
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Division 03 - Concrete
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Division 04 - Masonry
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Division 07 - Thermal and Moisture Protection
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Miami
Enrique de Solo 305-282-6119 |
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Division 08 - Openings
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Seattle, Portland
Hugh Johnson 206-914-1180 |
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Miami, FL, for Florida, Georgia & Alabama
Karina Fuentes (786) 858-4922 |
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National Architecture Team Manager
Chris Fronsoe (360) 605-6996 |
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Division 09 - Finishes
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