The Durable Slate Company was selected to install a custom slate rainscreen façade on a new private residence in Bethesda, Maryland. Designed by acclaimed architect Robert M. Gurney FAIA and constructed by Sandy Spring Builders, the home is a modern composition of clean lines and natural materials. It reflects a growing global movement toward responsible design; one that prioritizes longevity, resilience, and material authenticity.
This project presented a rare opportunity to use natural slate as the primary vertical cladding material for a private residence. While slate is widely respected as a durable roofing material, its use in façade applications in the United States is less common, particularly in residential construction. By incorporating slate into the building’s main envelope, the design team embraced a timeless material with extraordinary environmental benefits.
The CUPACLAD 101 Random system, composed of unfading Spanish black slate tiles in three different dimensions, was chosen for its natural beauty, material integrity, and ability to deliver long-term performance with minimal maintenance. The ventilated aluminum batten system allows airflow behind the stone, enhancing energy performance and moisture control while supporting the overall durability of the wall assembly. The slate was installed over a concrete wall substrate, forming a breathable, high-performance skin that will protect the structure for generations.
Though the home also incorporates other high-quality materials, such as Vermont Grafton marble, mahogany, and Endicott brick, it is the slate that serves as the architectural anchor of the design. The slate’s deep matte surface, cleft texture, and subtle tonal variation create a quiet richness that evolves with changing light and weather, enhancing the home’s character over time.
