[1]Ceilings can be so much more than a flat surface overhead. Clever metal ceiling designs can contain key building systems and foster an elevated appearance in an otherwise unused space.
This quiz explores strategies for creating metal ceiling designs that perform visually and functionally based on our article, “Metal Ceiling Considerations.”[2]
Metal Solidifies Safe Seating in American Hockey Arenas
by hanna_kowal | March 24, 2026 10:59 am
Modern American hockey arenas, from the National Hockey League (NHL) to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), blend performance, visibility, and flexibility. Metal enables custom railings and safe seating, allowing fans to enjoy sleek spaces while supporting their teams. With adaptable seating, reconfigurable VIP areas, and integrated railings, these venues maximize revenue, enhance sightlines, and foster high-performance environments for athletes.
Every four years, the world focuses on the Winter Games, where this year, Team USA’s men’s and women’s hockey teams each claimed gold, showcasing years of dedicated preparation in top arenas across the country.
“Olympic-caliber performance starts long before the opening ceremony,” said Jon Chase, Chief Engineering Officer at Sightline Commercial Solutions, a leading supplier of commercial railing and platform solutions. “It’s forged in venues that must meet elite training standards while hosting packed event schedules. Today’s athletic facilities are expected to do it all: support peak performance, elevate the fan experience, and remain flexible enough to adapt season after season.”
The following are five venues connected to some of this year’s gold-medal champions. These venues use the adaptability of metal in seating arrangements and railing designs, providing safe, sturdy, and durable accommodations.
Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minn.
[1]Photo courtesy Sightline Commercial Solutions
Home to the Minnesota Wild and the PWHL’s Minnesota Frost, Grand Casino Arena regularly hosts athletes competing at the highest level of international play. At the recent Winter Games, Wild players Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber each scored goals to help secure gold for Team USA. The Frost also sent eight players to the Olympic stage, six of whom returned with gold medals. For this premier hockey venue, custom-fabricated camera-media platform infill systems ensure broadcast teams have unobstructed views of the ice.
Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.
[2]Photo courtesy Sightline Commercial Solutions
More than 5,486.4 m (18,000 ft) of custom decorative railing spans Little Caesars Arena, home to the Detroit Red Wings and Team USA center Dylan Larkin. From the unique gondola-style seating overlooking the ice to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) seating areas, concourses, and premium VIP club sections, multiple railing systems work together to maintain clear sightlines throughout the venue. “Mesh-infill railings create openness along upper concourses, while glass guardrails preserve visibility in elevated seating areas so fans can engage with the game from every level,” notes Chase.
Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Wash.
[3]Photo courtesy Sightline Commercial Solutions
Located in Seattle’s Uptown neighborhood, Climate Pledge Arena[4] is the home of the Seattle Torrent and Team USA players Cayla Barnes, Hilary Knight, Hannah Bilka, and Alex Carpenter. The arena is also the world’s first zero-carbon hockey facility powered entirely by renewable energy. More than 5,486.4 m (18,000 ft) of custom railing can be found throughout the venue, including drink rail, picket rail, glass guardrail, and LED handrail systems. Fans seated in one of the 59 luxury suites can use the attached drink rail to enjoy refreshments while maintaining premium views of the ice.
Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
[5]Photo courtesy Sightline Commercial Solutions
At Madison Square Garden[6], home to the New York Rangers and Team USA members J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck, more than 4,876.8 m (16,000 ft) of custom-engineered ornamental railing helps guide fans through one of the world’s most iconic sports venues. Railing using an aluminum base to support glass infill. This directs spectators into seating sections with minimal visual obstruction, while marble-topped drink rails along the seating bowl perimeter elevate the fan experience. The arena’s suspended Chase Bridges rely on glass railing systems to maintain safety while preserving uninterrupted views of the action.
Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
[7]Photo courtesy Sightline Commercial Solutions
At Prudential Center[8], home of the New Jersey Devils and Team USA forward Jack Hughes—who scored the game-winning goal to secure Olympic gold for the U.S.—more than 2,438.4 m (8,000 ft) of ornamental railing connects seating, suites, and hospitality areas throughout the venue. Glass guardrails and aisle rails promote fan safety in seating bowls. Granite-topped VIP tables with integrated TV mounts create a premium viewing experience for select season ticket holders.
Team USA’s gold-medal performances offer inspiration for facility owners and operators to consider how their own venues can rise to championship standards. As hockey arenas continue to evolve, custom-fabricated systems and versatile applications of metal allow facilities to keep pace with changing expectations while maintaining the performance standards required for world-class competition.
[1]An exterior view of Lakeshore Lofts with distinctive color coatings. Photo by Michael Muraz/courtesy ALPOLIC
In an industry where aesthetics and performance converge, color is more than a design choice—it is a strategic advantage. This article transforms global megatrends into actionable color and finish forecasts that shape the architectural environment for years to come.
From global concepts to architectural applications
Broad, global concepts—cultural, technological, and environmental shifts—influence how people live and interact with spaces. While megatrends in coatings and paints do not change overnight, their subtle evolutions reveal where innovation is headed. Tracking these shifts on a macro level offers insights into emerging behaviors and material preferences, which are then distilled into color stories that resonate with architects and specifiers.
Trend forecasting is cyclical and constantly moving. The role of color designers is to interpret these movements early, so that specifiers and architects can stay ahead of upcoming market shifts.
The science behind color behavior
Color forecasting is not just about aesthetics; it is rooted in consumer behavior. How people perceive color is influenced by their surroundings, lifestyle, and even the textures they encounter daily. This holistic approach enables predictions of what will feel relevant and desirable in the years to come.
Beyond perception, color plays a critical role in shaping experiences across different environments. In commercial spaces, color can serve as a powerful branding tool, guiding wayfinding and reinforcing performance-driven design. Eighty percent of the information assimilated through the senses is visual, and the first thing consumers see is color. Research has shown that consistent presentation of a brand increases revenue by 23 percent,[2] illustrating a significant correlation between tactful design and business value.
[3]This image displays the neutral coating colors at the Alaska Native Medical Center. Photo courtesy ALPOLIC
Residential applications lean toward self-expression, allowing homeowners to reflect their personality and regional preferences. Educational settings use color strategically to foster engagement and focus, while industrial environments prioritize durability and safety without sacrificing visual impact. As color is deeply emotional and often tied to cultural and regional identity, its application in coatings becomes a nuanced balance of function and feeling—making forecasting an essential part of creating spaces that resonate with people’s lives as they evolve.
For example, finish trends have shifted dramatically. High-shine, high-sparkle coatings once dominated, but today’s preferences lean toward satin and mica finishes that mimic natural elements. This evolution reflects a growing desire for authenticity and tactile experiences—textures that evoke nature and invite interaction. Designers and specifiers increasingly look to natural materials for inspiration, drawing from stones, gems, and mineral surfaces to create finishes that feel organic yet distinctive. Satin and mica coatings offer subtle shimmer and depth, echoing the complexity of granite or the iridescence of quartz, while maintaining durability and performance.
This shift away from glossy, reflective surfaces stems from changing consumer priorities: high-shine finishes often feel artificial and less aligned with the biophilic design movement, which emphasizes connection to nature. Today, coatings are not just about color—they integrate texture and tone to either complement or contrast their surroundings. A building in a dense metropolitan area might use a deep, matte black to stand out among silver facades. At the same time, another project could choose earthy mica tones to harmonize with its natural surroundings. These nuanced changes allow architects to craft environments that either blend in seamlessly or make a bold statement, reinforcing the role of finish as a critical design element.
[4]Photo courtesy ALPOLIC
Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE)-based finishes “have the largest range of colors and gloss in the industry. It can make both bold and bright statements or sophisticated and earthy tones,” explains Renee Mullins, senior marketing manager for ALPOLIC.
Mullins knows firsthand how even small changes in hue can alter an intended visual story.
On the necessity of hundreds of shades of white in a selection, Mullins expresses the importance of variety: “Are you looking for something clinical or comforting? Color tells that story.”
With a dozen stocked shades of white alone, most designers and architects can find a suitable match that meets their required lead time and budget. Major manufacturers in the paints and coatings industry enable the creation of a wide variety of custom colors on demand, providing designers and architects with unparalleled creative freedom. This versatility empowers specifiers to push boundaries and tailor finishes to any vision, showcasing capability and flexibility in an era where individuality and contextual design matter more than ever.
Why forecasting matters
[5]This collection exemplifies a trend-driven palette of neutral colors. Photo courtesy ALPOLIC
Looking three to five years ahead gives manufacturers, architects, and specifiers a competitive edge. By aligning product development with future trends, they can meet market demands before they peak. This foresight ensures that projects remain relevant and compelling long after they are completed.
At its core, trend foresight is about creating spaces that feel timeless yet forward-thinking. When it comes to metal coatings, timelessness is critical—not only to prevent designs from feeling dated but also to ensure adaptability for multi-use spaces and evolving architectural needs. Coatings must deliver durability while satisfying aesthetic expectations, standing the test of time both physically and visually. For this reason, specifiers rely on experts in color and finish forecasting, allowing architects to focus on their craft with confidence that the coatings they choose will maintain relevance and performance for decades.
Durability
Color innovation is only part of the story. Ensuring that color lasts, through sun, rain, heat, and time, is what transforms inspiration into impact. To support longevity and durability, coatings must undergo extensive testing in both real-world environments and accelerated laboratory conditions. These tests help confirm that the colors selected in the present will remain true and vibrant for years to come, even in the harshest climates.
Architectural coatings must withstand the demands of fabrication, installation, and long-term exposure. Durability is not only about resisting wear, but also about preserving beauty and maintaining its aesthetic appeal. For product longevity, it is essential to specify paints and coatings designed to protect against fading, chalking, and cracking, so the color stays consistent across every panel, every angle, and every project.
This commitment to performance gives architects and builders confidence that their design vision will endure, both visually and structurally.
By blending research and creativity, global trends, material innovations, and consumer insights, architects and designers can create color narratives that shape the possibilities of architectural design. The result is coatings that protect metal surfaces and elevate them into bold, expressive design statements.
Brynn Wildenauer is a senior architectural color designer at Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings, where she specializes in color, material, and finish (CMF) development. With a strong foundation in industrial, product, and architectural design, she brings a keen eye and a solution-driven mindset to every project. Wildenauer’s passion for innovation and fascination with the dynamic world of color fuel her work, from trend research to transforming spaces. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, she ensures seamless execution and intentional design that elevates the built environment.
IMP Facade Defines the Design of a Ground-up Manufacturing Facility
by hanna_kowal | March 22, 2026 10:57 am
[1]Photo courtesy Kingspan Insulated Panels North America
A ground-up manufacturing building design in Sherman, Texas, uses insulated metal panels (IMPs) for an optimized facade. The global semiconductor market continues to expand, and global efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains have accelerated the development of new manufacturing capacity in the United States.
The new GlobalWafers America[2] production facility is the first silicon wafer manufacturing facility built from the ground up in the U.S. in over 20 years, and one of the largest of its kind.
The architectural design of the facility, led by Page Southerland Page, required a building envelope solution that would meet the rigorous energy demands of semiconductor manufacturing while reflecting the modern, high-tech nature of the facility.
[3]Photo courtesy Kingspan Insulated Panels North America
IMPs were selected for their strong thermal performance and aesthetic versatility. The project features 24,306.7 m² (261,635 sf) of flat IMPs, alongside 724 m² (7,793 sf) IMPs with a micro rib. Each panel provides exceptional thermal efficiency, with high R-values up to 8.0 per inch and a continuous insulation (c.i.) core. These panels also help seal the building’s envelope with a single system; unlike traditional multi-layer wall systems that require multiple materials to provide thermal, air, water, and vapor barriers, IMPs integrate all these functions into a single system.
The panels’ design flexibility enabled a striking facade that enhances the facility’s sleek, modern appearance, while the variety of colors—Weathered Zinc, Ascot White, Pewter, Bright Silver, and Indigo Blue—complement GlobalWafers’ architectural vision and brand identity. Subtle variations in color and texture highlight the entryway, where a highly reflective blue sheen pays homage to the CD-like wafers produced inside.
The use of IMPs also accelerated the construction timeline, with the panels’ single-component system significantly reducing installation time for installer Auzmet compared to traditional multi-component wall systems. This allowed the project to be enclosed quickly, minimizing delays and enabling interior work to begin sooner. For facilities like this, the faster the construction is completed, the sooner they can start operations and generate revenue.
[4]Photo courtesy Kingspan Insulated Panels North America
Further, IMPs’ durability ensures the facility will remain low-maintenance and high-performing for decades, making them an ideal choice for this large-scale project in Texas’s extreme climate.
This facility, completed in May 2025, will create more than 1,500 jobs and stimulate the local economy, contributing to Sherman’s growth as a key industrial hub. The integration of IMPs in the construction process will help to strengthen the supply chain, shape the region’s future, and fuel innovation for years to come.
Metal-framed Windows Elevate Luxury Multi-Residential Development
by hanna_kowal | March 19, 2026 9:24 am
The Mosaic, a new upscale boutique multifamily development located at 88 Sloan Street, South Orange, N.J., features 323 metal-framed windows and doors. The windows elevate luxury aesthetics and performance as metal framing brings a sleek style to the project while ensuring efficiency goals are met.
Across the street from the N.J. Transit South Orange rail station and within the designated South Orange Transit Village, the new luxury apartment building is part of the ongoing redevelopment and rejuvenation of this community.
[1]The Mosaic in South Orange, N.J., offers expansive views and high energy efficiency through eight commercial aluminum window and door lines. Photo courtesy Crystal Window & Door Systems
For the South Orange project, eight different window and door products were integral. Aluminum sliding, double-hung, fixed, and casement windows, along with sliding patio doors, sidelights, and swing terrace doors, were specified. In most cases, twin and triple window units were mulled atop other multiple units, creating large, tall combinations, some spanning openings 2,438.4 mm (96 in.) wide by 2,235.2 (88 in.) tall.
The sliding window used at The Mosaic uses the heavy-commercial aluminum in an 82.6 mm (3.25 in.) frame depth window rated AW-PG40. The sliding windows feature dual stainless steel sash rollers and stainless steel reinforced roller tracks. To facilitate installation, the windows were specified with an optional nailing fin. The double- and triple-lite sliding windows were field-mulled atop fixed windows to maximize views.
[2]Windows with narrow sightlines and great strength offer residents of The Mosaic abundant daylight, multiple styles and functions, and effective sound attenuation, which is important given the property’s proximity to the South Orange, N.J., transit rail station. Photo courtesy Crystal Window and Door Systems
The South Orange project included an extensive number of aluminum double-hung windows. Rated CW-PG50, the 82.6 mm (3.25 in.) window features tilt-in sashes, metal tilt latches, and anti-drift clip locks at the top sash head and is integrated with the lower sash lift rail. Most of the windows were fabricated as twin- and triple-unit assemblies using the product’s continuous master frame and impost options. To span large openings, the twin and triple units were typically field-mulled atop matching twin- and triple-fixed window combinations. All the double-hung windows were fitted with decorative between-glass grids.
Complementing the sliding and double-hung windows on this project were fixed windows, also with an 82.6 mm (3.25 in.) frame depth, rated CW-PG60. A master frame sash impost option enables two- and three-lite horizontal and vertical arrangements. On the Mosaic building, the fixed windows included matching decorative between-glass grids when paired with the Series 2600 double-hung windows.
Completing the windows specified included a heavy-commercial aluminum outswing casement and fixed windows. Both products have narrow sightline 66.7 mm (2.6 in.) frames, strong 3.2 mm (0.13 in.) thick frame and sill extrusions, and architectural ratings of AW-PG70 (casement) and AW-PG85 (fixed). The outswing casement features double weatherstripping on the sash perimeter and a four-bar stainless steel hinge. Both window models are compatible with one another, and using the continuous master frame impost option, can be fabricated in multiple horizontal or vertical combinations. In a few instances at The Mosaic, large fixed triples were field mulled atop other fixed triples to span large openings 2,311.4 mm (91 in.) wide by 2,235.2 mm (88 in.) tall.
Access to apartment terraces and balconies is provided by aluminum sliding patio doors or aluminum swing terrace doors. Both doors are architecturally rated heavy-commercial doors with 25.4 mm (1 in.) insulated glass and multi-point locks.
Most of the doors used on the project are two-lite sliding patio doors with a 116 mm (4.6 in.) jamb depth and are AW-PG50 rated. The door features heavy-duty, adjustable tandem quad-ball bearing rollers. The Crystal sliding doors were specified as large custom-sized 2,082.8 mm (82 in.) wide by 2,463.8 (97 in.) tall and furnished in a “knock-down” (KD) package for easy handling and jobsite assembly. Approximately half of the Crystal sliding doors were ordered with the full-compatible matching sidelight Series 1270A. This fixed transom/sidelight window has a 116 mm (4.6 in.) frame and is rated AW-PG75. Combined, the sliding door and sidelight spanned openings 2,844.8 mm (112 in.) wide by 2463.8 mm (97 in.) tall.
Inswing terrace doors are also incorporated into the design. With heavy-duty extrusion profiles 2.4 mm (0.093 in.) thick, this 82.6 mm (3.25 in.) jamb depth aluminum door achieves an AW-PG60 rating. Owing to its polyamide-insulated strut thermal-break design, this product offers superior energy efficiency.
All window, door, and sidelight frames were finished on both exterior and interior surfaces with a sustainable black powder-coat paint. Sash stops and limit-opening devices were factory-installed on operating casement, double-hung, and sliding windows. All the double-hung windows and many of the fixed windows were supplied with between-the-glass 15.9 mm (0.6 in.) colonial-style grids.
Partners in The Mosaic South Orange[3] project include architect Appel Design Group of Florham Park, N.J., and developer 8 Second Street Urban Renewal, LLC, of Union, N.J. Mark-Built Homes of Union, N.J., was the general contractor for the project.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA[2]) announced a strategic sponsorship agreement with Trimble, a provider of construction technology and digital workflow solutions.
The agreement provides Trimble with opportunities to participate in continuing education programs, event panels, research initiatives, and industry knowledge-sharing efforts. Members of the American Institute of Architects may also access technical resources and professional development content, including guidance on the use of 3D design tools.
“United by a shared vision for the future of the built environment, we’re excited about the opportunities this relationship will shepherd,” says Andrew Flank, senior vice president of sales, events, and exhibitions at AIA. “Strategic partners help fund key initiatives, empowering AIA to provide valuable resources to members while upholding independence and mission alignment.”
AIA connects Trimble with thousands of architects worldwide, offering year-round visibility, early specification involvement, and access to industry leaders. This joint effort ensures sustained engagement, surpassing the impact of one-off event sponsorships.
“We are committed to helping architects move their digital designs from concept to reality,” says Chris Cronin, vice president and general manager of architecture, design, and education at Trimble. “Teaming up with AIA creates meaningful intersections between technology and practice, empowering architects to design with greater confidence, iterate faster, and deliver more resilient, high-impact outcomes for their clients and communities.”
[1]Ceilings can be so much more than a flat surface overhead. Clever metal ceiling designs can contain key building systems and foster an elevated appearance in an otherwise unused space.
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