Today we’d like to introduce you to Bradley DeRuiter.
Hi Bradley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Architectural Iron Works (AIW) has been part of the San Luis Obispo community since 1997. The company was built around a simple idea: there are certain things that are still worth making by hand, and when you combine that craftsmanship with modern engineering and manufacturing, you can create something that is both beautiful and built to last for generations.
My own background is in business management and manufacturing. I’ve spent more than 30 years working with both small businesses and larger organizations, and a lot of what I’ve learned over that time shapes how I approach Architectural Iron Works when I joined their team in February of 2025.
What I value about this business is that it sits at the intersection of manufacturing, architecture and craftsmanship. Everything we fabricate is built in-house in Central California by a team of skilled craftspeople. We make custom steel windows and doors, but our work can go well beyond a standard product line – sliding and folding systems, skylights, conservatories, shower enclosures and one-of-a-kind architectural steel and glass pieces. Because we fabricate rather than simply assemble, we can work closely with architects and builders to solve unusual design challenges.
Over the years, AIW’s work has found its way into remarkable homes and projects throughout California and beyond. As proud as I am of the finished work, I’m equally proud of the team behind it. There is knowledge in our shop that doesn’t come from a manual. It comes from thousands of hours of machining, welding, fitting, finishing, glazing and solving problems together.
Today, we continue to invest in both sides of that equation. We use CNC machining, waterjet cutting and other modern technology to work on precise tolerances, while still relying on experienced people to fabricate, finish and install each project. Our goal isn’t to automate craftsmanship out of the process; it’s to give talented craftspeople better tools. We want to make architectural products that become part of a building’s legacy and give both our clients and our team something they can be proud of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Finding and developing skilled craftspeople: One of our biggest challenges is finding skilled labor. The kind of work we do requires an unusual combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern manufacturing skills. Our team needs people who can weld and fabricate at a very high level, but also work with CNC machining, waterjet cutting and other precision equipment. Those skills are increasingly difficult to find together. We’re fortunate to have an amazing group of craftspeople today, and part of our responsibility is making sure those skills don’t disappear. We’re working with local groups to help train and develop the next generation of fabricators and machinists. For us, that’s not just a workforce issue—it’s about preserving a craft and creating meaningful careers for people who enjoy making things exceptionally well.
Helping customers understand the difference in quality: Another challenge has been explaining what makes a truly fabricated steel window or door different from some of the lower-cost alternatives that have entered the market. Some manufacturers have moved toward thinner sheet metal rolled, hollow or extruded products that can achieve a similar look from a distance at a lower price. We build with substantial solid steel sections because we believe the experience of the product matters just as much as its appearance. When you open one of our doors, there is a weight and solidity to it, but it still moves beautifully and smoothly. It feels permanent, it is permanent. That difference can be difficult to communicate on a specification sheet or in a photograph, particularly when a homeowner or contractor is comparing prices. A big part of our job is helping people understand what they are actually buying and why material, fabrication methods and craftsmanship matter when the expectation is that something will remain part of a home or building for generations. To demonstrate this, we are getting remodel projects to replace historic steel windows that were installed in the early 1930’s. Our units are made with the same grade steel, true steel that lasts generations. That is the biggest difference between us and cheaper products.
Keeping pace with changing performance requirements: The other ongoing challenge—and one that we actually embrace—is the evolution of building standards, particularly California’s Title 24 energy-efficiency requirements for windows and doors. Steel is an incredible architectural material, but changing performance requirements continually push us to rethink how a traditional steel system should be designed and built. That means looking at everything from the steel profiles themselves to glazing, glass specifications and the way the different materials interact as a complete system. We’re currently developing thermally broken systems as part of that evolution. It requires significant engineering and experimentation because we don’t want improved thermal performance to come at the expense of the narrow sightlines, strength and character that make steel windows and doors special. Those requirements create challenges, but they also keep us innovating.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Architectural Iron Work?
Architectural Iron Works designs and fabricates custom steel windows, doors and specialty steel-and-glass systems from our shop in San Luis Obispo. We’ve been doing this since 1997, and we were part of the reintroduction of true steel window and door systems into luxury residential and commercial architecture in California.
We’re known for narrow sightlines, substantial materials, custom fabrication and the ability to execute designs that don’t fit neatly into a catalog. Our standard work uses solid steel profiles, and we also work in stainless steel when a project calls for it. We offer a range of operating systems, glazing approaches, custom hardware coordination, painted and powder-coated finishes, and proprietary patina finishes. We also fabricate specialty products such as skylights and conservatories.
What sets us apart is the combination of old-world craftsmanship and modern manufacturing. A project moves through shop drawings and design alignment, precision machining, fabrication, finishing, glazing and installation. We use equipment such as CNC mills and waterjet cutting alongside hands-on fitting, welding and finishing. That combination gives architects a lot of freedom while allowing us to maintain the precision a high-end project requires.
We fabricate in Central California using U.S.-sourced steel, and we take a lot of pride in keeping that capability in-house. We also care deeply about the people doing the work. Our belief is that craftsmanship is earned over thousands of hours, and the best results come from a team that shares knowledge and takes personal responsibility for what leaves the shop.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that our work is meant to last. These aren’t disposable building products. The goal is to create something timeless enough, durable enough and well-made enough to become part of the architecture for generations. When a client, architect or builder asks us to make something difficult or unusual and our team finds a way to execute it beautifully, that is Architectural Iron Works at its best.
It is a unique privilege and challenge to be a part of creating someone’s dream home. Knowing that we install our products in the most prestigious and luxurious homes, money can buy.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is bigger than the number of projects we complete. It means building work that we’re proud to put our name on, creating an experience that earns the trust of our clients and design partners, and developing a united team of craftspeople who take real satisfaction in what they make.
A successful project is one where the design intent is respected, the details are right, the product performs the way it should, and years from now it still feels like it belongs in the building. On the company side, success also means continuing to teach and learn, investing in better tools and processes, and creating a place where skilled people can build a career around their craft.
I also define success by the impact our work has on the places it becomes part of. We have the opportunity to create statement pieces that can define and elevate an entire home, winery, hotel or other architectural space. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a finished entryway, wall of steel and glass, or custom window system become one of the elements people remember most about a building. We want to create that moment of awe—when someone walks into a space and is struck by the scale, elegance and craftsmanship of what they’re seeing. But beyond that initial impression, these pieces are built to endure. Our goal is to make something substantial enough and timeless enough that it can remain part of the architecture for generations. When our work becomes part of the legacy of a home, a business or a property, that’s a meaningful measure of success for us.
Pricing:
- Because every AIW project is custom, pricing varies significantly based on size, configuration, glass, hardware, finish, engineering requirements and installation scope. We do not publish a standard retail price list; projects are quoted individually after the team understands the design and performance requirements. Custom project pricing: quoted individually based on project scope and specifications. Primary cost drivers: opening sizes and quantities, operating type, steel or stainless material, glazing type, glass specification, hardware, finish, engineering complexity and installation requirements. Best next step: send plans, elevations, schedules or design concepts to AIW so the team can review the project and prepare an appropriate quote.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://architecturalironworks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architecturalironworks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiwslo/
- Other: sales@aiwslo.com
