Material Matters: How Architecture is Shaped by Texture, Tone, and Sustainability
Material Matters: In 2025, materials don’t just build, they speak. Wood adds warmth, concrete brings strength, and glass blurs the line between inside and out. Every choice shapes how a space feels and functions. With new tech, sustainable practices, and digital tools, architects now have more ways than ever to create immersive, expressive environments.
At Spacesmith, our LEED + WELL-accredited principals are leading the charge, integrating thoughtful materials into every project.
In recent projects, six key materials stand out, not just as finishes, but as fundamental elements that define the atmosphere, structure, and experience of each space.
METAL
Boies Schiller Flexner
Suspended from the staircase, a striking sculpture of overlapping metal beads creates a visual link between the main reception and the upper floors. This dramatic installation contrasts sharply with the surrounding curved concrete walls and sleek black terrazzo flooring, adding a dynamic focal point to the space.
Sustainability
Reflective, sculptural, and endlessly customizable, metal brings bold aesthetics with a green edge. It’s energy-efficient in performance and often fully recyclable, making it a smart choice for forward-thinking architecture.
WOOD
MarketAxess
A signature feature is the thematic, three-story, angular wood wall sculpture along the floating marble staircase that connects each floor at reception. The staircase forms a dramatic focal point, its textured patterns enriching the architecture, and visually connecting employees across all levels.
Sustainability
Wood is one of architecture’s most sustainable materials. When responsibly harvested (FSC-certified) and finished with low-emission products, it supports both environmental health and occupant well-being.
MARBLE
MarketAxess
The staircase’s textured marble introduces a rich visual rhythm to the architecture. The stair becomes a central sculptural element. Its natural decorative patterns add depth and texture, transforming a functional necessity into an aesthetic focal point that unifies the environment.
Sustainability
Its durability means it can last generations, reducing the need for replacement. It is a natural material that requires no synthetic processing, and it can be repurposed or reclaimed.
CORK
Halletts Point Playroom
Cork provides a naturally cushioned surface that’s gentler on little knees and heads during play or accidental tumbles, making it safer than harder flooring like tile or wood. The cork flooring used in this playroom at Halletts Point is a Green construction product: The finishes and adhesives are all water-based.
Sustainability
Cork is derived from the bark of the cork oak tree, which regenerates after harvesting, making it a renewable resource. The harvesting process is done by hand and doesn't harm the tree, allowing it to live for hundreds of years.
TEXTILES
Halletts Point
Amenities play a vital role offering moments of relaxation, recreation, and connection. In the kitchen, a standout feature is the long bench upholstered in a bold red fabric designed by artist Shantell Martin. The vibrant print, rendered on a durable cotton-nylon blend, brings both energy and resilience to the communal setting.
Durability
Cotton‑nylon textiles are highly durable, performance-ready pieces that beautifully carry Shantell’s signature continuous-line artwork into upholstery, wallcovering, and more.
CONCRETE
Boies Schiller Flexner
To support a shift in office culture toward openness and collaboration, this design reimagines the conventional office layout. The sculptural, curvilinear concrete walls reflect a more modern and fluid approach to workspace design.
Durability
Concrete has long been valued for its strength, durability, and versatility. By using concrete’s industrial beauty, architects create spaces that are bold, functional, and forward-thinking.