With AIA24 upon us, we’re revisiting some of our proudest partnerships from around the world where our complete portfolio of products played an important role. With help from our experienced Account Executives and a wealth of color resources available, the following examples showcase how our comprehensive range of coatings, Full Spectrum Possibilities, combines color expertise and advanced product technology to bring a variety of design visions to life.

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is an important landmark for the nation and a work of art in its own right. This iconic and intricately designed building was the product of three American architecture firms: The Freelon Group (part of global design firm Perkins&Will), Davis Brody Bond, and D.C.-based SmithGroup. Together with David Adjaye, lead designer of London’s Adjaye Associates, they worked to create a museum worthy of renown and the rich tapestry of culture and history it contains.

The building exudes a strong presence on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., defined by its tiered, bronze-clad corona that enfolds the structure and a porch extension, both representative of the open-air living spaces and structural shapes in traditional African architecture, as well as a profound connection to and harmony with the natural world.

The choice to use a bronze wash for the metal panels required years of discussion. To the team, bronze signified endurance and timelessness, and the color would provide a striking contrast to the traditional limestone facades of its nearest neighbors. In pursuit of the perfect hue, Sherwin-Williams Fluropon, our 70% PVDF coating system for architectural metal, was hand-applied to the exterior’s massive aluminum panels in a custom mix of shades to create a unique, realistic bronze for a dynamic, beautiful, and durable facade.

“This was truly a one-of-a-kind job and something that I have never experienced before," said Juan Campos, Account Executive from Sherwin-Williams. “The finished product is simultaneously consistent and dynamic in the way that it looks.”

The imaginative and award-winning design of the Brunel Building in London features a unique structure that redefines the concept of the modern workplace. The architecture is truly groundbreaking, with an interior made up of enormous multipurpose workspaces that were designed without the need for disruptive columns or walls so that users can easily adapt each space to their company’s evolving needs.

“This is where the sustainability movement is going from a space-planning perspective,” says Color Marketing Manager Emily Kantz. “Instead of putting in walls and having a more structured interior, these open concepts allow for additional flexibility and adaptability for current or future needs.”

A revolutionary idea deserves state-of-the-art innovation, and we worked with the contractor, structural engineers, and steel supplier on this project to ensure the steelwork structure is as safe as it is visually striking, since its sculptural exoskeleton carries the weight of the building and commands attention as a unique design element.

The interior steelwork was coated in a number of products from our FIRETEX line—including the C69 primer, FX2003 intumescent coating, and the M71V2 decorative topcoat—a system that would provide two hours’ protection in the event of a fire. The exterior was similarly protected, with Macropoxy 400 primer and FIRETEX FX6000 (now superseded by FX6002) intumescent coating, finished with the excellent color-retention capabilities of the Acrolon C237 topcoat.

Not only did these specifications provide the necessary durability and fire protection so crucial to a building of this size and intended purpose, but the products selected also helped the project stay on track with deadlines, as each one was recommended for the efficiency of its application, quick dry time, or availability to minimize transit times and the potential for handling damage.

As modern conceptions of mental health and psychiatric treatment progress, so too do the designs of buildings intended for these practices. The Copenhagen Psychiatric Hospital in Denmark, with its impressive central atrium and comfortable common spaces, is one example of these ambitious design advancements, combining an empathetic approach and serene, uncomplicated aesthetics into an environment that doesn’t feel too much like a hospital—but where good medical care always comes first.

From a visual perspective, Emily Kantz points out that “soft neutrals are an ideal choice for mental health environments, due to a subtle warmth and home-like feeling that differentiates them from the stereotypical sterile look of these kinds of facilities in the past.” And to ensure the long-term comfort of patients, medical professionals, and visitors at this facility, the Region of Zealand sought modern and long-lasting solutions, and they found it in our SofTop flooring.

This durable, seamless, and environmentally friendly flooring was installed throughout the state-of-the-art facility, selected for the softness of this thick polyurethane coating, its ability to stand up to ample foot traffic, and impressive sound-deadening performance that would create a more calming environment for patients who may have a heightened sensitivity to excessive noise and disruptions.

After laying out concrete and mortar to create a level surface for the final resin finish, the patient rooms, kitchens, walking and living areas were finished with SofTop SLR and SofTop Comfort SL flooring systems over an area measuring more 323,000 square feet.

These polyurethane systems are quick to install at a high standard and prove to be hard-wearing and self-smoothing once applied, with a flexible membrane layer that provides a slight springy feel underfoot that’s both comfortable to walk on and quiet in otherwise echoing spaces. These qualities supported the overarching philosophy and goal to create top-to-bottom comfort and calm in every aspect of this building’s design.
 

Learn all about our comprehensive lineup of coatings and finishes for a wide variety of products with Full Spectrum Possibilities, and connect with your Account Executive to find out more.