Due to coronavirus outbreak, there have been many concerns concerning which materials are the safest ones in terms of a virus persistence on the surfaces.

According to the “Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents” article in the Journal of Hospital Infection, it is aluminium, which does not create a comfortable environment for the virus to stay on a surface long. While, depending on the temperature and environment, on plastic and paper it can remain infectious for up to 5 days, glass and wood can keep it for up to 4 days and steel stays affected for 48 hours, aluminium is open for virus only for 2-8 hours. B

Taking into consideration all the positive qualities of aluminium, some companies prefer to use this metal as the main material for construction and interior design. For example, Swedish architecture studio Sandellsandberg has designed a new Stockholm office with extensive use of aluminium for Swedish aluminium company Gränges.
The design combines innovative use of the winged metal with a textural material palette, creating a sleek yet uplifting workplace.

Striving to show off yet rethink in the modern way the over-hundred-year-old company’s history, Sandellsandberg decided to use the stock of rolled and corrugated aluminium, produced by Gränges, in an unexpected way. The aluminium has transformed the space.

Various surface effects and finishes were precisely selected to reflect the moods and functionality of different areas of the office. A polished silver aluminum is widely used at the reception, welcoming employees and new visitors. While a denser, thickly corrugated aluminium creates the feeling of solidity in a meeting room, divided from a board room with a sheer, silver curtain. Elsewhere, corrugated perforated aluminium panels layer on top of the stripped raw concrete walls, which add s modern taste to the whole concept. A wall, also cladded in aluminium, is the centerpiece of the office and works as a divider between the lounge and conference room.

Sandellsandberg even designed some bespoke furniture for the space with Gränges aluminium, yet the team softened and warmthened the space a little with other textures such as wood or leather. Historical pieces from the Gränges archive, dating back to 1896 in the village of Grängesberg add further texture to the space