Materials tell stories. These narratives are written on the surfaces and structures that surround us, elements that record the rhythms of our daily lives. Brick, timber and stone define our experiences differently, each giving inherent character to the places we live. With versatile cladding and detailing options, weathering steel is a material that provides protection while revealing the passage of time. Best known as corten (derived from the trademark COR-TEN), this type of steel alloy was developed to eliminate the need for painting. Long-term exposure to the weather allows the steel to gradually form a rust-like layer that’s continuously changing and virtually maintenance-free.