Paddington station, London, UK, by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, completed 1854, features wrought and cast iron. Iron played a significant role in the development of architecture, because it enabled longer spans and thinner sections, creating light and space in public buildings that was not possible before. In Paddington, the glass panes have been replaced with polycarbonate (PC), for safety.
Spot Material is a database of materials for sustainable design, curated by Rob Thompson. Compare properties, carbon and end of life, find better alternatives and discover new material innovations. Browse all materials