Avidon Design | Custom Corten Steel Planters, Architectural Panels and Metal Sculpture Designer

Serving landscape architects and designers, residential and commercial clients.

Enhancing outdoor spaces with bespoke aluminum and corten steel planters, architectural panels and outdoor and garden sculpture.

My name is Scott Avidon. I specialize in designing and fabricating custom corten steel planters, outdoor planters, architectural panels, custom metal sculpture and garden sculpture.  I fabricate in South Florida and the San Francisco Bay area and deliver and install nationally.

I work closely with my clients to design and deliver the perfect corten steel planters, aluminum planters and architectural panelsfor each project. We begin wherever we need to, whether it’s a hand sketch, architectural drawings, photos or a site visit.

I utilize parametric CAD software which facilitates the iterative nature of the design process and enables us to look at multiple options before deciding on how to proceed. I create renderings to enable us to more fully visualize the project and foster a sense of comfort with our decisions.

Creating custom metal pergolas and gazebos is a passion for me. As an industrial designer I am able to bring not only aesthetic elegance to a project but also the complex engineering that is required for certain designs and spaces.

Unleash Your Creativity with Custom Designs

This custom corten steel cantilevered pergola was created for a client in Los Gatos, CA. My client wanted a cantilevered steel pergola with lasercut steel roof panels that provided a good deal of shade. The sheer weight of the roof structural elements required that we set each of the 3 posts in a 6’ deep by 3’ wide poured cement footing with engineered rebar support structures. The entire structure was assembled and welded on-site.

I designed the pattern for the laser cut roof panels to provide the desired shade and to enhance other linear, geometric design elements in this landscape. A custom charcoal / black patina was hand applied to the corten steel to enhance the modern feel of this outdoor space.

Marine grade aluminum sectional planter beds, powder-coated. SF Bay Area, CA. 2024

Corten steel architectural wall. Laser-cut, custom patina, welded. Hillsborough, CA. 2024

The beautiful patina that corten steel planters develop, enables them to play a strong supporting role in almost any landscape design.

This photo shows rows of my custom corten steel planter beds that were fabricated for a residential organic farming project on Orcas Island, WA. My client decided that exposed hardware at the corner joints was acceptable for this project, as opposed to hidden hardware. This cost saving decision enabled us to produce a larger number of planter beds within the budget. Client priorities drive all design decisions.

Whether you’re a landscape professional looking to incorporate one-of-a-kind art into your designs or a homeowner seeking a signature piece to complete your dream garden oasis, I’d love to collaborate with you. My passion is working closely with clients to develop custom sculptures that capture their style, tell a story, or simply make them smile whenever they walk outside. Every creation is handcrafted and domestically made to order specifically for you and your outdoor space.

In addition to corten steel planters, I design and build powder-coated aluminum planters. Aluminum delivers a refined, modern feel and powder-coating provides a myriad of color choices. These matte black aluminum planter beds were created for a client’s modern farmhouse in Healdsburg, CA.

Designing Custom Planters for Beautiful Gardens and Landscapes

Your outdoor space should reflect your unique spirit. As a garden sculpture designer and custom corten steel planter designer, I thrive on co-creating with clients to craft custom pieces that do just that. Get in touch today to get started on a design that will transform your landscape or garden into an oasis you’ll never want to leave.

I offer multiple design options for my planters and planter beds depending on project budget and use requirements. My work is custom, which allows me to design anything my clients require. From a modern metal aesthetic to a rugged corten steel planter and everything in between.

This image shows several large corten steel planters I fabricated for a new home in Sammamish, WA. My welded planters would have been extremely difficult to move into place on the property, so we decided to use my sectional planters instead. Over the last 2 years they have performed beautifully and their patina has matured.

Turning Your Ideas Into Custom Sculpture and Planters

As the founder and lead product designer at Avidon Design, I love bringing clients’ visions to life through custom garden sculptures and planters. I’ll work closely with you to design pieces tailored to your unique style and space.

Decorate your garden and transform your outdoor area into an inspiring retreat. Sculptures and planters are created in corten steel, stainless steel and aluminum — from whimsical to modern, whatever you desire.

Have something specific in mind? Let’s collaborate to make it a reality.

These corten steel planter beds were designed for a client renovating the landscape of their stately home in Mobile, AL. Landscapes such as this, with existing trees, require sectional planters as welded planters wouldn’t work.

Ensuring Excellent Craftsmanship and Quality Materials

As a metal sculpture designer, I pour my heart and energy into each custom creation. My goal is to craft unique sculpture and planters of the highest quality.  Pieces designed to last for decades. I handcraft my designs using tried and true fabrication methods in synergy with the latest technical innovations. I use only the highest grade domestic corten steel and marine grade aluminum for all my work. For aluminum pieces that require powder-coating, I always use a primer coat underneath all top coat colors to add longevity and ensure color consistency.

These deluxe sectional aluminum planter beds have a custom, hand applied patina. The landscape architect’s design for this modern farmhouse in St. Helena, CA called for uniform rows of large planter beds to support the geometry of her overall plan. These beds are composed of 6 sections that bolt together with hidden hardware and internal cross supports.

I love designing and fabricating custom aluminum and corten steel panels for my clients. The powder-coated 18’ tall aluminum panel shown in this image is one of my favorites. It combined laser-cutting, bending and welding. It reflects light in such a dynamic way. This large panel was built in 3 sections and assembled and installed on-site.

These laser-cut and welded steel panels helped my client, a leading Boca Raton, FL interior designer, create the mood of a separate, exclusive dining area in a restaurant without diminishing the expansive feel of the entire space. The individual 9’ panels were built off-site but required on-site welding to install and secure.

A Collaborative Design Process Tailored to Your Project

I love collaborating with clients on custom designs. As a custom planter box and metal sculpture designer, the creative process is one of my favorite aspects of every project. Working closely with you, I gain a deep understanding of your vision and requirements.

We start with an initial conversation where I come to understand your vision, project requirements and any challenges that we may face. I then develop initial design concepts utilizing my parametric CAD (computer-aided design) software. I present the initial concepts to you and after you’ve reviewed them we’ll speak again to refine them or continue with concept development. This iterative design process enables us to arrive at a solution that you feel great about. Once I have your final approval, I’ll begin the process of fabricating your custom planters or custom sculpture.

This is one of my recent custom aluminum sculptures, commissioned by a Houston art gallery. It was laser-cut and hand welded and is 8’ tall. I often create interior and exterior metal sculpture for my clients. Sometimes they are stand alone pieces and other times they are multiple piece installations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. I specialize in creating custom planters and metal sculpture that are tailored to your unique project. When we speak, we can discuss your vision, design philosophy, preferences, and anything else that is important for your project. Using parametric CAD software and renderings, I’ll provide some initial design concepts for your review. Once we reach consensus on a final design, I will proceed to fabrication.

  • Yes. For my planters I generally work with either corten steel or marine grade aluminum. I use various gauges (thicknesses) depending on your project requirements. My standard gauge for corten steel planters is either 14 or 11 gauge and my standard thickness for aluminum planters is .125”. However, I go as heavy as 1/2” thick metal in either material, as required. I can also use stainless steel as well.

    Corten steel will arrive in it’s raw state which is a silver / gray color. Over a few months outdoors the corten steel will undergo it’s patina process and will develop it’s beautiful rust color.

    Aluminum planters are almost always powder-coated. There are literally thousands of powder-coat color choices and I can help you decide on one or you can provide an RAL or pantone identifier for me to match. I put a primer coat on my aluminum planters prior to adding the top color coat. This adds stength, durability and ensures evenness of color.

  • Yes. I offer my custom sectional and welded corten steel planters and aluminum planters in any shape or size your project calls for. My sectional design is fabricated in sections and ships to your project location flat-packed on pallets. Assembly on-site is very easy as I pre-install stainless steel riv-nuts and provide stainless steel bolts. All hardware is assembled from the inside of the planter and is not visible from the outside. Sectionals are ideal for installations where there are pre-exisitng trees that need to have planter beds built around them or for site locations that make it challenging for larger welded planters to be moved into place.

    My welded planters arrive usually fully assembled to be placed in their installation location. I also offer on-site welding for projects that require welded planters which would be too large to deliver fully built.

  • No. Corten steel is virtually maintenance free. As you know, raw corten will develop it’s protective and beautiful rust patina over a few months. During that time, there will be some rust run-off. Because of this, you shouldn’t place corten steel planters on any light colored, highly porous surface such as light colored marble. Concrete, pavers, etc. are usually able to be rinsed off with a hose and a standard brush to remove any rust run-off.

    Powder-coated aluminum planters are also very low maintenance. They can accumulate dust and dirt which can be rinsed off with water and a soft cloth. Just like any painted metal they could be chipped by flying rocks from lawnmovers, etc. so that is something to be aware of.

    1. Corten Steel Maintenance:

    Allow the protective rust layer to develop naturally. This rust layer acts as a barrier against further corrosion. Brush off the excessive rust layer at least once a year. Place it in an area where it can quickly dry after heavy rain.

    2. Stainless Steel Maintenance:

    Regularly clean the surfaces using mild soap or a stainless steel cleaner to remove dirt, debris, and fingerprints. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid using abrasive materials or cleaners that can scratch or damage the stainless steel surface. You can use a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water for stubborn stains or marks. Inspect the sculptures and planter boxes periodically for any signs of corrosion or pitting. If you notice any, promptly treat the affected area with a stainless steel cleaner or polish. Apply a stainless steel protectant to maintain the shine and protect against future corrosion.