Dissimilar Metal Design featured on ByDesign
Marlon Blackwell discusses Dissimilar Metal Design on Craft, Copper, and Building for the Long Term with natural architectural metals.
DMD Editor | Dissimilar Metal Design
Article Posted May 6, 2026
Dissimilar Metal Design was recently featured in the television program By Design, highlighting our contribution on a standout project: the Lamplighter School.
Watch the Interview
Above is the excerpt from ByDesign, discussing the Lamplighter School project and the role of Dissimilar Metal Design.
The segment offers a thoughtful look at what it takes to execute natural metal architecture at a high level. Natural metals behave differently than painted systems. Copper, in particular, develops a patina that deepens in tone and character over decades.
“You want to use Dissimilar Metal Design. They’ve made great partners.”
— Marlon Blackwell, on Lamplighter School
Over time, copper becomes more integrated with its surroundings rather than less. That long-term evolution was central to the Lamplighter project, where new structures needed to feel connected to existing copper-clad buildings. The goal wasn’t just to match — it was to create resonance across time.
Precision in Complex Geometry
Dissimilar Metal Design provides design-assist, engineering, fabrication, and delivery for complex architectural metal systems.
If you’re looking for a sustainable metal system with custom fabrication, let’s talk.
