The building materials are one of the most crucial considerations for any architect, no matter what kind of project they may be involved in. The chosen materials will have an impact on the stability of the structure, the shape, the aesthetics and the green credentials. There are even cases when the choices are limited by the area and the materials that have been used to construct other properties.

One important factor that architects need to consider when selecting materials is the texture. After all, this is what people can physically feel when they touch the material, and it makes a huge impact on the overall character and feeling of a property and the ways people engage with the structure, as well as how it satisfies its functional requirements.

There are countless different textures and building materials, ranging from the smooth, polished surfaces of steel and glass to roughly-hewn natural stone and timber. Many architects use contrasting combinations of rough, smooth, hard and soft surfaces to appeal to the senses and create unique, striking spaces.

When it comes to texture, one of the most versatile building materials is concrete. It can be smooth or rough depending on how it is poured and what is used to mould it. The Unite d’Habitation in Marseille, France is a great example of this. Celebrated architect Le Corbusier used a rough timber when moulding the concrete, and this texture was left behind when the mouldings were removed to create an incredible and instantly recognisable finish.

From the smoothness of the Shard in London, to the rough and organic textures of the Art and Architecture Building at Yale University in the US, to the varied textures of the Palazzo Medici in Florence, it is easy to see that the possibilities are endless when it comes to innovative use of textures and materials in architectural design. At Coffey Architects we have always been committed to dynamic use of textures in our work and will explore all possible options for the creation of beautiful, tactile buildings which complement their environment and work for the people who inhabit them.