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The Ion | Custom Wood & Metal Fabrication by Renfrow+Co

by | Jun 22, 2026 | Metalwork, Pavilions and Structures, Woodwork, Work | 0 comments

About The Ion Project

One of our larger scale projects in 2021, The Ion Houston was built in collaboration with highly-regarded general contractor Gilbane Building Company.

Top-down view of the outdoor plaza at The Ion Houston, with Renfrow+Co's steel-framed structures casting shadows on the brick-paved area

Gilbane requires meticulous standards from its partners, and this project was no exception. On any given day, more than a thousand construction workers were on site grinding to finish by the deadline. Our team kept working through the infamous Houston freeze of February 21; our dedication did not go unnoticed by Gilbane.

Interior view of The Ion with a unique suspended ceiling made of wooden panels, fabricated and installed by Renfrow+Co
The Ion's exterior design, brought to life by Renfrow+Co, includes unique outdoor benches, corten steel planters, and geometric shade structures blending natural elements with modern architecture

Architectural Metal and Wood Fabrication Details

Our team provided massive carbon steel, Tnemec painted structures that are unique to the building and any project Renfrow had done previously. Each beam that made up the decorative outdoor structure was 2.5 inches of solid steel, meaning just one foot of material weighed in at 90 pounds! Inside the building, a ceiling of 936 wood boards was jigsawed together to create a visually stunning piece of artwork spanning the length of the space.

Renfrow+Co crafted wooden benches and Corten steel planters on The Ion's outdoor deck

From massive parts of the project down to the smaller details, like the Corten steel outdoor planters, we provided the expertise and precision needed to complete the Ion Houston project on time, and bring their design to life.

Who: Rice Management Company, Gilbane Building Company, Shop Architects, James Corner Field Architects, Brochsteins
What: Site Furniture, Pavilions and Structures
Where: The Ion | Houston, TX
How: Engineering, Fabrication, Installation

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