‘Green’ Materials for Architects
Today’s architects are deeply concerned about the environmental sustainability of our cities, society and
planet. Therefore, they strive to become fully aware of the environmental impacts of their individual
projects. The materials they select have the greatest potential to impact the environment compared with any
other single element of their project.
That is why, to be able to compare various materials, it would be beneficial for architects and other
designers to have at their fingertips a database of objective life-cycle impact information about all
available materials. Unfortunately, such a database is not available. Instead, architects rely on the
information provided to them from competing materials associations.
The Nickel Institute strives to provide relevant information to architects on the environmental and
aesthetic performance of nickel-containing stainless steels through the website www.stainlessarchitecture.org
One of the most recent additions to that website is "Sustainable Stainless Steel Architecture," a brief,
nine-page document by Nickel Institute consultant Catherine Houska. In it, she summaries why
nickel-containing stainless steels are an excellent choice for protecting the environment and creating
comfortable, attractive structures. Topics discussed in more detail include: a summary of the recycling of
stainless steel, the relationship between corrosion and the environment and ways that stainless steel can be
used to enhance the indoor and outdoor environment.
The author also discusses the long service life that stainless steels offer, how natural resources are
conserved by choosing stainless steel compared with other materials, the role stainless steel plays in
building restoration, and how it is reused.
This is an important document for architects because it puts stainless steel into the context of today’s
complex array of available materials.
PHOTO: Allegheny Technologies
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