We live in an age where technological advancements have revolutionised architecture, from design to construction. Whether it is 3D printing models to prove design concepts, developing highly engineered materials fit for purpose, or adopting modular building as the next step in efficiency, the built world around us is becoming more creative and adaptable.

Modern buildings need to meet a variety of criteria that were not concerns, historically: from stringent safety standards to environmental friendliness and low-energy requirements, the key is not simply in design but in the application of new materials that meet these diverse needs.

Eva-Last’s Lifespan hybrid aluminium architectural beams are an example of a highly engineered building material that meets all traditional norms while allowing for a diverse range of aesthetic applications.

Featuring a specialised aluminium core for easier installation at height, and that is resistant to biodegradation, UV exposure fading, corrosion, biological pests (such as termites, fungi, and bacteria) and even the harshest weather, Lifespan provides the look of timber beams without the upkeep of wood or susceptibility to the elements of alternative metal options.

Lifespan’s reinforced bamboo composite beam (a tri-extruded lightweight aluminium core and bamboo polymer composite cap) forms the basis of its extreme versatility and durability. With increased span capability, Lifespan is ideal for decorative architecture of all types, including pergolas, privacy screens, shutters, facades, gates, cladding and soffits.

The range of Lifespan profiles – some weighing as little as 0.78 kg per metre – makes Lifespan suitable for every application from lightweight non-structural features such as screening, to decorative trussing and oversized pergolas. Lifespan posts can even be used to create durable vertical railing and showstopping outdoor features requiring a high degree of tensile strength.

A benefit that is often unnoticed by casual observers is that Lifespan’s colour-matching end caps provide a finished look while protecting the hollow chambers of the aluminium core.

The Lifespan range is available in the full Eva-Tech colour palette, offering classic and timeless natural colours in a matte finish to suit any design and colour scheme. Each colour evokes the essence of a particular timber application, in a neat, brushed finish that is both sleek and understated.

Unlike the timber its external appearance imitates, Lifespan is an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to wooden beams, requiring none of the maintenance associated with wood, and features flexural stability that far surpasses equivalent timber profiles at reduced mass and weight. Together with the fact that Lifespan is lightweight and manufactured responsibly using solar power in the manufacturing process, it’s no wonder it’s fast becoming a favoured choice in the world of modern architecture.