Also known as “weathering steel” the trademarked product Cor-ten has become prominent in progressive architecture here in North America. Cor-ten was originally developed from a group of alloy steels which eliminate the need for finishing or painting. The product develops a thin skin of rust which actually protects the inner layers of steel from the elements. This skin continues to rust and weather over time and achieves different appearances depending on the environment, location and exposure. Cor-ten steel is available in many structural cross sections as well as plate and corrugated panels. Technical data on Cor-ten can be found here. Although Cor-ten has been used since the 1960’s in applications of structural necessity and high exposure it has only come to prominence in the architectural industry within the last decade. We’ve rounded up 16 residential projects in North America that use Cor-ten as an exterior skin – in some applications it is the actual envelope, in others it is applied as a rainscreen. Let us know about your favorite Cor-ten projects out there.
829 Greenwich in Manhattan by Matthew Baird Architects, 2005
The facade includes a 40 foot tall Cor-ten steel plate
Mad Park in Seattle by Vandeventer + Carlander, 2007
The Cor-ten panels clad the service functions of the house
Montecito Residence in California by OSKA, 2007
The Cor-ten panels are also used for fire resistance
Delta shelter in Mazama Washington by OSKA, 2007
10’ x 18’ Cor-ten “shutters” which can be rolled closed
Weathering Steel House in North York, Ontario by Shim-Sutcliffe, 2000
Cor-ten sheets are used as cladding and Cor-ten structural members form a bridge across the water element
700 Palms Residence in Venice California by Steven Ehrlich Architects, 2005
The Titan in San Diego by Jonathan Segal
The overall geometry keeps the Cor-ten panels to typical and conventional shapes and sizes
The Prospect in San Diego by Jonathan Segal
While some of the structural steel is Cor-ten the exterior is said to be of typical steel just rusting away. There is a very nice blog post on this project here.
T-House in Wilton New York by Simon Ungers & Tom Kinslow, 1986
The Cor-ten envelope was prefabricated and shipped to the site in three pieces
Camano Island Cabin in Washington by Terry Hunziker & BUILD llc, 2004
The project uses flat Cor-ten sheets and corrugated Cor-ten panels
1603 Random Road in Lawrence Kansas by Studio 804, 2001
Desert Nomad House in Tucson, Arizona by Rick Joy, 2005
[Photo by Mark Skalny]
Tubac House in Arizona by Rick Joy, 2001
Gazzano House in London by Amin Taha
Ten Broeck Cottage in Columbia County New York by Messana O’Rorke Architects
Ocean Beach Residence in San Francisco by Aidlin Darling Design
