Diamond Skins: 6 Projects Wrapped in Metal Shingle Cladding

Who says shingles can’t be beautiful? While typically reserved as a roofing material made from asphalt, wood or stone, shingles can be specified across the building envelope. When applied to walls and exterior façades, shingles provide rhythm, depth and texture. Going beyond the typical parallel laid courses and offsets, we’ve gathered together a collection of diamond shingle patterns. Taking on a scalar quality, the panels are made from metal, providing greater fire resistance, durability and longevity. Emphasizing repetition and subtle detailing, the projects display new interpretations on traditional shingle material assemblies and construction techniques.

Hainburg Nursing Home by Architekt Christian Kronaus and KNOWSPACE architecture + cities, Hofmeisterstraße, Hainburg an der Donau, Austria

A nursing home that was extended to accommodate 50 additional rooms, the Hainburg project was created as a double-story, compact bar perpendicular to the existing structure. The exterior consists of diamond-shaped Eternit-shingles in two colors, while the interior was made with linoleum, laminate and wood surfaces.

Donhead Prepatory Schoolby Phillips Tracey Architects, London, United Kingdom

Located to the southwest of Wimbledon Village, this school design includes a chapel, art room and auditorium addition. Local and recycled building materials were used throughout the construction, while newly enclosed brickwork elevations are situated adjacent to black, diamond-shaped metal cladding.

Maidstone Museum East Wing by Hugh Broughton Architects, Maidstone, United Kingdom

Expanding the existing Maidstone Museum, the new east wing was designed to accommodate over 600,000 artifacts. Gold-colored shingles were used to hint at the valuables and ‘treasures’ on display inside. The project was guided by three principles: increase visitor numbers, advocate long-term preservation of the museum’s collection and engage greater public involvement.

St. Pauls Anglican Churchby Checkwitch Poiron Architects Inc, Nanaimo, Canada

Serving as a replacement for the existing St. Paul’s Church Hall, this design provides additional meeting space and administrative office areas. The project combines a stone base with a diamond tile roof, as well as a concrete structure with vaulted wood ceilings.

The Hive by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Worcester, United Kingdom

Designed as the UK’s first purpose-built, joint-use library, the Hive includes a diverse programmatic range. Formally designed as a beacon for learning within Worcester, the façade was made with gold-colored, diamond metal cladding specified across the entire envelope, including the roof.

Aldo House by Prototype Design Lab, Mississauga, Canada

The Aldo House was made of three volumes that respond to the surrounding site conditions. Each volume of the project was clad with different materials, including white quartz stone, cumaru wood plans and diamond-shaped corten steel panels.