Directionally oriented peptide layers 1000 angstroms thick were constructed by polymerization on gold and indium-tin-oxide glass. A key feature is the use of an appropriately functionalized surface on which the initiation sites for polymerization are spaced at distances consistent with the helical diameter of the peptide. Completely helical polyalanine and polyphenylalanine layers have been constructed. The helicity of the polyalanine layer was completely retained after heating at 180 degrees C for 7 days.