After what feels like the longest year ever, we’ve finally flipped open a new calendar and the start of what we all hope will be a better year. With two new vaccines starting to make the rounds, many are hopeful that we will be able to return to a somewhat normal way of life this year. And after a year in which many people and things were taken from us, a return to normalcy is very appealing.
As we head into a new year, you may have noticed that the magazine you’re holding looks a little different. We’ve updated and refreshed the logo, giving it a more modern feel. Along with the logo refresh, we’ve also updated the design and layout of the magazine, giving it a bolder, more contemporary style that matches the design sense of our architecture audience. We’ve also made the trim size a touch smaller, making the magazine easier to take with you once we’re on the go again. With its new color palette, new, open layout, cleaner fonts and more white space, we hope you enjoy reading the refreshed Metal Architecture as much as we do.
And as always, a new year brings about our State of the Industry report. Starting on page 12, a variety of industry experts offer their take on what to expect for the year ahead. Alex Carrick, chief economist at ConstructConnect, foresees growth in the construction economy, especially in the residential market. As for the residential metal roofing market, Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance, says it will get a boost from the surging real estate market and increased mobility of the workforce, with homeowners focused on investing in long-lasting renovations and improvements.
Check out what all of the participants have to say, including Rick Harlan Schneider, AIA, APA, LEED AP, principal at ISTUDIO Architects in Washington, D.C., who discusses how the move to biomimicry design is making our buildings perform better, and seamlessly fit into the environment around them. And if you’re unfamiliar with what biomimicry is, then check out the Bonus Feature, where we take a deep dive into how biomimicry can help influence architectural designs.
2020 was a tough year, but there’s a lot to be excited about in 2021 and beyond.
