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Edited by Blaine Brownell | nbbj

TRANSMATERIAL

A catalog of materials, products and processesthat are redefining our physical environment.

1Ebooks http://www.habitares.co.cc


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TRANSMATERIAL

Unlike the artist, who interacts directly withhis or her palette, the architect is one-step

removed from the physical substance thatmakes architecture. This synapse often breedsignorance about what materials are availableor what properties they possess, which is rein-forced by the fact that most buildings are stillcomprised by relatively conventional productsand systems despite the wide variety available.

Indeed, when one assesses the diverse and

fantastic range of materials available today,one realizes the extent to which humanity hasbeen hell-bent for innovation. One sees not afixed catalog of products, but rather a con-stantly shifting array of materials which offercontinual improvements upon known standardsor which render those standards obsolete.

Within this ever-changing inventory, several

broad classifications arise which elucidate thematerial transformations that are occurring.By analyzing the most innovative products andprocesses according to these expansive trends,it is my hope that we can gain a greater com-prehension of these developments in order toimbue our physical environment with the sameunrelenting expectations for innovation.

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http://transstudio.comBlaine Brownell



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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CODE

ULTRAPERFORMING

MULTIDIMENSIONAL

REPURPOSED

RECOMBINANT

INTELLIGENT

TRANSFORMATIONAL

INTERFACIAL

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CODE

Each product sheet is codified with a varietyof information to enhance data retrieval and

further research. The system includes the fol-lowing components:

Quoted source

Product thumbnail

Primary category

CSI division+s softwareh hardware01 general02 sitework03 concrete04 masonry05 metals06 wood + plastics07 thermal + moisture protection08 doors + windows09 finishes

10 specialties11 equipment12 furnishings13 special construction14 conveying systems15 mechanical16 electrical

Product inventor/manufacturer

Reference source

Hyperlink

03

UP

optics.orgWebsite

LiTraCon

http://www.litracon.com/

OliverGraydon,

Concretecastsnew

lightindullroomsinoptics.org,

11M

arch2004

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ULTRAPERFORMING

Throughout human history, material innovationhas been defined by the persistent testing of

limits. Ultra-performing materials are thosewhich are stronger, lighter, more durable, andmore flexible than their conventional counter-parts. These materials are important becausethey shatter known boundaries and necessitatenew thinking about the shaping of our physicalenvironment.

Interestingly enough, one of the most signifi-

cant trends in material innovation is actuallydematerialization. The ongoing pursuit of thin-ner, more porous, and less opaque productsindicates a notable movement towards greaterexposure and ephemerality. The recent fabrica-tion of translucent concrete, for example, issignificant because what has been understoodto be a thick, heavy, and opaque material cannow transmit light. We can now see through

walls.

It should come as no surprise that ultra-per-forming materials are generally expensive anddifficult to obtain, although many of the follow-ing products are being developed for a broadmarket.

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OPTOELECTRONIC COMPUTER

For decades, silicon, with its talent for carryingelectrons, has been the mainstay of computing.

But for a variety of reasons, were rapidly ap-proaching the day when electrons will no longercut it. Within 10 years, in fact, silicon will fallto the computer scientists triple curse: Itsbulky, its slow, and it runs too hot. At thispoint, computers will need a new architecture,one that depends less on electrons and moreon optics.

With the assistance of award-winning firmfrogdesign, Forbes ASAP has designed andbuilt (virtually, of course) the computer of2010. Whenever possible, our newly designedcomputer replaces stodgy old electrons withshiny, cool-running particles of light - photons.Electrons remain, doing everything they do best(switching), while photons do what they dobest (traveling very, very fast). In other words,

weve brought the speed and bandwidth ofoptical communications inside the computer it-self. This mix is called optoelectronics, anotherbuzzword we encourage you to start using im-mediately. The result is a computer that is farmore reliable, cheaper, and more compact--theentire thing, believe it or not, is about the sizeof a Frisbee - than the all-electronic solution.But above all, optoelectronic computing is

faster than whats available today. How fast?In a decade, we believe, you will be able to buyat your local computer shop the equivalent oftodays supercomputers. Forbes

Website

frogdesign

http://www.forbes.com/asap/00/0821/087.htm

KipCrosby,

IntroducingtheC

omputerof2010ForbesASAPCoverStory,

08/21/00

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

03

DuctalWebsite

LaFarge

Imagine a footbridge as long as a football fieldwith a platform as thick as your hand. Or a 6

x 10 sheet just 1 inch thick that bends as itcontinues to support a 2,000 lb car.

Working in collaboration with Rhodia andBouygues, Lafarge has developed a wholenew family of concretes called Ductal. Theseconcretes have high compressive and flexuralstrength, and their special characteristics en-able the achievement of outstanding architec-

tural feats.

Ductal concrete incorporates strengtheningfibers and opens the horizon to ultra-high per-formance due to its special composition whichprovides it with outstanding strength, six toeight times greater than traditional concrete(under compression).

Fiber-reinforced means that it contains metalfibers which make it a ductile material. Highlyresistant to bending, its great flexural strengthmeans it can withstand significant transforma-tions without breaking. Ductal also comes withorganic fibers for applications with less loadand for architectonic applications

http://64.227.188.244/imagineductal/home.asp

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LIGHT-TRANSMITTING CONCRETE

03

optics.orgWebsite

LiTraCon

The days of dull, grey concrete could be aboutto end. A Hungarian architect has combined

the worlds most popular building material withoptical fiber from Schott to create a new typeof concrete that transmits light.

A wall made of LitraCon allegedly has thestrength of traditional concrete but thanks toan embedded array of glass fibers can displaya view of the outside world, such as the silhou-ette of a tree, for example.

Thousands of optical glass fibers form a ma-trix and run parallel to each other between thetwo main surfaces of every block, explainedits inventor ron Losonczi. Shadows on thelighter side will appear with sharp outlines onthe darker one. Even the colours remain thesame. This special effect creates the generalimpression that the thickness and weight of a

concrete wall will disappear.The hope is that the new material will trans-form the interior appearance of concrete build-ings by making them feel light and airy ratherthan dark and heavy.

http://www.litracon.com/

OliverGraydon,

Concretecastsnew

lightindullroomsinoptics.org,

11M

arch2004

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TRANSLUCENT CONCRETE

03

Metropolis

Bill Price

An idea hatched in the research department ofOMA promises to transform the nature of build-

ings. Inventor Bill Price conjures up the ultimatematerial: translucent concrete.

My ultimate goal was to create a material tochange concrete - but still keep the construc-tion technique intact, Price says, switchingto a slide of a poured block of translucentconcrete made from a crushed-glass aggregateand a plastic binder. Lit from underneath, it

seems to breathe light like the sun breakingthrough winter ice. He reaches behind him ontothe bookshelf, takes a small cylinder madefrom the same material, and places it and twoother samples onto his desk. They look likehigh-design paperweights: crushed glass, plas-tic tubes, and crushed opaque gravel frozen intranslucent plastic. Its easy to imagine a table-top made of this material - or an entire wall of

a house, theater, or museum...

Translucent concrete will need to be furtherresearched, perfected, and tested before wide-spread applications are possible. The analysesconducted thus far - tests done in the labora-tory at Virginia Tech on small columns and cy-lindrical sections of translucent concrete withthe crushed-glass aggregate and plastic binder -

have shown the new material to be superior totraditional concrete in compression and flexure.But large-scale applications of his new materialare still months - if not years - away.

KenSchulma

n,

X-RayArchitectureinMetropolis,

April2

001,p.

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AUTOCLAVED AERATED CONCRETE

It was discovered in 1914 in Sweden that add-ing aluminum powder to cement, lime, water,

and finely ground sand caused the mixture toexpand dramatically. The Swedes allowed thisfoamed concrete to harden in a mold, andthen they cured it in a pressurized steam cham-ber--an autoclave.

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC, also calledautoclaved cellular concrete--ACC) is producedby about 200 plants in 35 countries and is

used extensively in residential, commercial,and industrial buildings. At a density of roughlyone-fifth that of conventional concrete and acompressive strength of about one-tenth, AACis used in load-bearing walls only in low-risebuildings. In high-rises, AAC is used in partitionand curtain walls. The material is also fairlyfriable and must be protected from weatherwith stucco or siding. On the positive side, it in-

sulates much better than concrete and has verygood sound absorbing characteristics.

After a history of aborted efforts to introduceAAC to the U.S., two large European conglom-erates have both decided to take the plunge.The German Hebel Group, through Hebel USA,has just completed the first full-scale AACplant in the U.S. Once the plant is fully opera-

tional, licensee Hebel Southeast will controlproduction.

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Building-GreenWebsite

Hebel

http://www.babb.com/aac/

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FLOATING CONCRETE

By replacing sand and gravel with tiny polymer-ic spheres, University of Washington materials

scientists have created a concrete strongerthan traditional concrete but so light it floatsin water. The team won the regional AmericanSociety of Civil Engineers Concrete Canoe Com-petition last year.

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UWWebsite

University ofWashington

http://students.washington.edu/asce

DavidPescovitz,StuffLove,

Wired(January2000),p.

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FOAMED ALUMINUM

Light-as-air, stronger-than-steel materials arejust beginning to shape our world. Foamed alu-

minum first emerged from the lab in the frameof a 1998 Karmann concept car. Ten timesstronger than traditional aluminum at just one-tenth the weight, the material allows a morefuel-efficient vehicle. Its isotropic cellular struc-ture helps the frame absorb shock and servesas an insulating firewall between the engineand the rest of the car. The foaming processcan also be applied to steel, lead, tin, and zinc.

[Jessie Scanlon, Wired]

CYMATs Aluminum Foam Division is an in-novator in the use of closed cell aluminumfoam for a wide variety of applications. Initiallydeveloped by Alcan International, this materialwon the National Research Council (Canada)Award for Product of The Year in 1993. Theproduct is a high strength, extremely light

weight material that possesses high durabilty,excellent finish and lasting value. The foamcomes in an assortment of densities and sizesup to five feet wide and up to fifty feet long.It has numerous applications including archi-tectural, automotive, marine, military, aviation,transportation, electronics, appliances, signageand many more. 05

Wired/CYMATWebsite

CYMAT

http://www.cymat.com/

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SMART BEAMS

SMI Steel products is an innovative steelmanufacturer specializing in the smartbeam,

which is suited for long-span composite floorconstruction or long-span roof applicationsfor architecturally exposed steel. Producedwith castellated, hexagonal web openings orcellular, circular web openings, smartbeamsoperate most efficiently between 30 and 80-foot spans. Smartbeams allow a more flexible,column-free, long-span floor space at the samecost as traditional short-span construction.

The most common building types for smart-beams are office buildings, mezzanines, parkinggarages, or any application utilizing a sus-pended composite floor. Smartbeams superiorvibration characteristics and ability to accom-modate mechanical services make them idealfor any composite floor application.

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Sweets

SMI SteelProducts

http://www.smisteelproducts.com/English/Home.html

SweetsProductNews,Au

gust2002

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WOVEN STAINLESS STEEL

K5 New York is now offering woven stain-less steel in 18 different weaves, produced in

Switzerland by G. Bopp. This product has beenused in projects as diverse as railing systemsand furniture components. Custom weaves andpatterns are also possible.

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K5Website

K5

http://www.k5newyork.com/prod01.htm

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CREATIVE WEAVE METAL MESH

Metal meshes have been known as decorativeand functional design elements in architecture

for only a few years. The French NationalLibrary in Paris was the first architecturalproject where GKD, in cooperation with Frencharchitect Dominique Perrault, succeeded insystematically implementing metal meshes ina building in various ways and applications.Since then, this development has continuedworldwide.

For decades, GKD has manufactured metalmeshes for industrial applications in filtrationand separation technologies and the processbelt sector. At first, it was their visual at-tractiveness that made metal meshes suitablefor the architecture and design sector. Duringthe continuous product development it becameclear that metal meshes also have consider-able technical advantages which are extremely

relevant in the field of architecture. Today, thearchitect has a wide range of mesh samples athand, with weaving widths up to eight meters,which allow for great design flexibility.

Woven metallic meshes used as partition ele-ments convey a new dimension to any space.They can be used as projection screens, and,taking into account their acoustic characteris-

tics, are suitable for the use in public buildings,opera houses and concert halls.

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GKDWebsite

GKD

http://www.gkd.de/englisch/index.html

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AEROGEL

Aerogel or Airglass is a transparent mate-rial that looks like glass, insulates better than

mineral wool and is more heat resistant thanaluminum. The material has many interestingproperties and possible applications such asinsulation in windows and solar collectors, win-dows in firewalls, a component in air-condition-ing equipment, etc.

Aerogel has outstanding properties, especiallyregarding heat transfer. The material transmits

about 88% of the integrated solar spectrum(thickness about 10 mm, or 3/8 inch). Aerogelis molded, giving the possibility of getting dif-ferent shapes: cylinders, cubes, plates of vary-ing thickness etc. Chemically, Aerogel is com-posed of quartz and a great deal of air, makingit fragile. The grains of quartz are small com-pared to the wavelength of light, giving Aerogelgood transparency properties. At around

750C (1380F), it starts to shrink and slowlycollapses to a piece of ordinary quartz. Aerogelcan be cut with a band saw and holes can bedrilled with a metal drill. It should be noted thatAerogel is non-flammable and non-toxic.

AirglassWebsite

Airglass

http://www.airglass.se/

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VACUUM INSULATION PANELS

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FraunhoferInstituteWebsite

FraunhoferInstitute

Cars and homes have at least one thing in com-mon: they consume energy in the form of oil or

gas. Energy-efficient vehicles typically makeuse of lightweight materials and improvedengine technologies, and soon home build-ers will also need to pay greater attention toenvironmental concerns in their designs. Apartfrom modern and efficient heating systems,thermal insulation makes the biggest differ-ence. Vacuum insulation panels (VIP) could wellbe the material of the future.

Until now, such panels have been used primar-ily in cooling and refrigeration units. Now theyare finding more widespread application asinsulators for flat roofs. VIPs work on thesame principle as the thermos flask: when airis evacuated from the cavity of the double-walled container, heat conduction and convec-tion decrease sharply. A metal layer on the

surface further reduces the heat transfer byIR radiation. A VIP consists of a filler materialsuch as compressed silica which is vacuum-encapsulated in a plastic barrier foil. The realadvantage is the amount of space that can besaved, explains Dr. Klaus Noller of the Fraun-hofer Institute for Process Engineering andPackaging IVV. Panels with a thickness of twocentimeters insulate just as effectively as 20

centimeters of mineral fibers.

http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/

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ULTRA-SLIM DOORS

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Tre PiWebsite

Tre Pi

Tre Pi is a leading company in the design andmanufacture of top quality doors, supported by

the continuous creative and innovative contri-bution of renowned names in architecture andindustrial design.

The Tre Pi door is known for its highly archi-tectural quality and formal ability to re-designa space. The Tre Pi door has been conceivedand designed to become an object whose dis-tinctive and original qualities enhance interior

design.

The Convex door was designed by F.A.Porsche, the Milano door by Luca Scacchetti,and the Rever door by Cini Boeri, Laura Griziottiand Guido Nardi.

http://www.trep-trepiu.com/eng/tre-piu/prod.html

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LIGHTBLOCKS

Initially developed for use in public art instal-lations, Lightblocks are high-strength, inte-

gral-color acrylic and polycarbonate panelswhich can be used in interior and exteriorapplications. Lightblocks have been shownto withstand impacts approximately threetimes greater than laminated safety glass andhave six times greater impact resistance thanordinary glass. Moreover, Lightblocks are 50%lighter than glass.

Lightblocks are available in unlimited translu-cent or opaque colors, and have been proven towithstand weather and sun exposure for longperiods without any detectable deterioration.Available in thicknesses ranging from 1/16to 4, the material can be molded, curved,slumped, cut, drilled, and carved, and surfacescan be smooth, textured, glossy or matte.

MB Welling-ton StudioWebsite

MB Welling-ton Studio

http://www.lightblocks.com/index.shtml

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LUMICOR

Lumicor panels are made from thermally-lami-nated translucent resin, with options for inte-

grating textile materials or graphics betweenpolymer layers. Lumicor panels are superiorto glass in terms of their stronger break resis-tance, lighter weight, and lower cost. They canbe thermoformed, crowned, beveled, polished,water jet cut, bent, etc. The typical panel sizeis 4 x 8, but custom sizes can be made upto 5 x 10. Panel thickness ranges between.030 and 1.

SchoberLiterature

Schober

http://www.lumicor.com/index.asp

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THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE PANELS

PepCore is a honeycombed truss-wing-formedcomposite wall sandwiched between a seam-

less, one-piece, thick outer facing and a thinnerinner facing with no rivets required.

The PepCore power structure starts withplastic sheet material like polyethylene, ABS,Surlyn, Polystyrene, or Polycarbonate. The corematerial is then formed with Phelps EngineeredPlastics proprietary PepCore process which,through heat and convection, the core sheet is

expanded to the desired honeycomb thicknessand geometry. When mated with the specifiedfacing, it becomes a material with a high de-gree of rigidity.

PepCore is pound for pound, lighter thanaluminum and stronger than steel, and solvesthe four problems traditionally experiencedwith traditional aluminum sheet and post body

construction: leakage, rust and corrosion, dentsand dings, and weight management.

The lampshade shown above at the far rightwas designed by Jun Takagi and manufacturedwith PepCore material.

AR HaireWebsite

PepCore

http://www.arhaire.com/pepcore.shtml

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SUPERBLACK

AnanovaWebsite

National

PhysicalLaboratory inLondon

British scientists have invented the darkestmaterial on Earth. The super-black coating was

developed by researchers at the National Physi-cal Laboratory in London. It could revolutionizeoptical instruments because it reflects 10 to20 times less light than the black paint cur-rently used to reduce unwanted reflections.

The key to the nickel and phosphorous coat-ings blackness is that its surface is pitted withmicroscopic craters. Super-black is especially

effective at absorbing light which hits it at anangle. With the light source at right angles, thecoating reflects less than 0.35%. Black paintreflects about 2.5% - seven times more.

One of the early applications might be on star-trackers, navigational aids which help space-craft stay on course by fixing on pinpricks oflight in the heavens. The material could also be

used in works of art. NPL says several artistshave shown an interest.

Nigel Fox, who heads the optics group atNPL, said: When you look at the black, it isan incredibly beautiful surface. Its like blackvelvet.

http://www.npl.co.uk/

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AIRTECTURE

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FestoWebsite

Festo

Building with air, the most natural of all materi-als, is a special challenge, since air-inflated

components are used in place of the usual load-bearing components.

The idea behind Airtecture is based on mechani-cally pre-tensioned membrane constructionsthat have been used for several interestingbuildings, e.g. the German Pavillon at the EXPO1992 in Seville, Spain or the International Air-port of Denver, Colorado. The most important

innovation of Airtecture is that the membranesare not pre-tensioned mechanically, but bymeans of air pressure and in such a way thatthey are able to bear loads.

The classical air-supported buildings were theprototypes that the German Pneumatic expertsFesto intended to develop further. In contrastto such buildings, however, Airtecture works

with a much higher air pressure and also hasatmospheric pressure in the inside.

http://www.festo-tooltechnic.cz/air_in_air/eng/corpo421.html

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TREE TENTS

13

The NewYork Times

DreWapenaar

Dre Wapenaar, a Dutch artist who is practicallyunknown in the United States, believes that a

properly designed tent can alter human behav-ior. It can do so, he says, by making people feelsecure, calm and friendly.

Administrators in a Dutch high school in Hel-den-Panningen, a town 90 miles southeast ofRotterdam, last year asked Mr. Wapenaar tosolve a perennial problem. The schools 400students needed a place for a little privacy.

Remembering the hangouts of his own youth(always a difficult location, somewhere be-hind the school, he said), Mr. Wapenaar, 39,devised a 33-foot-long pavilion with seatingfor 70 students under a canopy of overlappingtranslucent polyester.

For Mr. Wapenaar, who titled the work Hang

Kiss Smoke, this was one of his few perma-nent creations. His tents, which have beenexhibited in the Netherlands, Italy, England, Ja-pan and France (and for three days recently inAspen, Colo.), have become contemplations onwhat makes a home and how people interact.

There is a universal language of tents, Mr.Wapenaar said on a recent visit to New York.The tent, he added, is an object for meetingpeople.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/05/living/05DRE.html?pagewanted=all

ElaineLouie,

ACanvasthe

ArtistCurlsUpIn,

TheNewYorkTimes,

Ju

ly5,

2001

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BANNERWORKS

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Koryn Rols-tad StudiosWebsite

Koryn Rols-tad Studios

Koryn Rolstad is a Seattle-based industrial art-ist who leads an integrated team of industrial

designers, graphic designers, project managersand production staff in creating large-scaleaerial sculptures and public art installationsaround the world. Known as Bannerworks,her pieces dexterously cross the boundariesbetween sculpture and signage, art and engi-neering. Her project list includes interior envi-ronments for Starbucks, Novell, AT&T, REI,Mishima Hospital, Oacis Healthcare Systems,

and various schools.

http://krstudios.com

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TENSION FABRIC STRUCTURES

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TransformitWebsite

Transformit

Transformits provocative tension fabric struc-tures are appropriate for use in entertainment

venues, special events, exhibits & trade shows,or anywhere that fabric architecture is appro-priate. Made of nylon spandex, the structuresoffer a viable surface for any type of projectionor lighting display, including front and rear-projected video. It is also possible to print onthe fabric via silk-screening or dye sublimationdigital printing.

http://www.transformitdesign.com/index2.htm

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MULTIDIMENSIONAL

Obviously, materials are physically defined bythree dimensions. But many products and build-

ings have long been conceived as a collectionof flat planes which define space and func-tion (consider a computer motherboard or LeCorbusiers domino frame, for example).

A new trend highlights the exploitation of thez-axis in the manufacture of a wide varietyof materials, ranging from fabrics to wall andceiling treatments. One reason for this devel-

opment is the fact that taking advantage ofgreater depth allows thin materials to becomemore structurally stable. Another reason is thatmaterials with enhanced texture and richnessare more visually interesting.

Augmented dimensionality will likely be agrowing movement, especially considering thetechnological trends toward miniaturization,

systems integration, and pre-fabrication.

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GEOWEB

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PrestoWebsite

Presto

Prestos perforated Geoweb cellular confine-ment system features an engineered pattern of

perforations in the cell wall. This hole patternprovides increased frictional interlock withcoarse aggregates, crushed rock and concrete.

In vegetated systems, the perforations increaseroot lock-up, creating a more stable vegetatedmass and overall healthier soil environment.The perforations allow lateral drainage throughthe system, thereby enhancing performance of

the system in saturated soil conditions.

The Geoweb system enhances system perfor-mance in slope and channel protection, earthretention and load support applications. Themulti-layered earth retention system is used fora wide range of design requirements and siteconditions. The systems flexibility allows it towithstand large differential settlements and

conform to a contoured landscape while typi-cally using on-site infill materials. The systemsouter cells, when filled with topsoil, provide anideal environment to support vegetation.

http://www.prestogeo.com/index.html

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AERO FORMED ALUMINUM

Aero consists of tightly corrugated anodizedaluminum sheets that are flexible and formable.

Variations in thickness, depth and roundedor square return edges produce five uniquedesigns, some of which include precision-en-gineered perforations. Aero comes in a mattesilver anodized finish with UV protection.

Aero is ideal for a breadth of interior applica-tions, whether the visual impact desired is anemphasis on geometric compositions or fluid

curves. The lightweight material is sturdyenough to be used for wall and ceiling panelsyet is malleable enough to be rolled like acarpet.

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surfaces+Website

surfaces+

http://www.forms-surfaces.com/products/aero/index.html

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FLEXIBLE FRAMING TRACK

Flex-Ability Concepts manufactures the Flex-CTrac system, which is a construction product

used to build curved metal or wood structures.It can be used to frame curved walls, barrelceilings, wavy ceilings, s-curves and columns.

Architects like Flex-C Trac because thestrength, quality and uniformity of the finishedcurves are superior. It can be hand shaped onsite to make curves of varying radii, or to eas-ily match existing curves. Contractors claim it

saves 60 to 80% of the time required to builda curved structure compared to conventionalmethods and results in a better-finished prod-uct.

Flex-AbilityConceptsWebsite

Flex-AbilityConcepts

http://www.flexc.com/1.html

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CORRUGATED GLASS

Joel Ber-man GlassWebsite

Joel Ber-man GlassStudios

Like structural glass channels, corrugated glassexperienced its first widespread use in indus-

trial buildings in Europe due to its structuralintegrity and relative economy, and was lateradopted by the international design communityfor aesthetic reasons. Until recently, however,it has been difficult to find a producer of cor-rugated glass in North America.

Joel Berman Glass Studios in Vancouver, BCnow produces 53 x 118 corrugated glass

panels of varying depths, profiles, and colors.The panels may be tempered or laminated,and the corrugations can run in a horizontal,vertical, or diagonal direction. The sides of thepanels are flanged to accommodate a variety offraming systems.

http://www.jbermanglass.com

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SCULPTURAL GYPSUM PANELS

modulararts is the result of over two decadesof experience in designing and building custom

artwork for commercial and residential interi-ors. With a combination of experienced model-making, casting, and state-of-the-art technolo-gies, modulararts can provide the beauty andsubtlety of relief sculpture in modular panelswhich match up to create seamless, continuoussurfaces of any size.

Gypsum, the primary material in modulararts

panels, has been favored by architects anddesigners around the world for its superior fireproperties, its similarity to sheetrock in regardto installation, and its relative light weight.

Because modulararts panels are entirely min-eral they will not burn. The nature of gypsumacts like a thermal regulator when exposed toflame, also protecting the materials behind it

from the heat of the flame for up to two hours.Moreover, modulararts sculptural panels arecomprised entirely of nontoxic mineral and arenot subject to hazardous polymerization (theydo not off-gas like plastics or wood compos-ites).

modularartsWebsite

modulararts

http://www.modulararts.com/

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BRAILLE TILES

Dennis Lin designed these Braille tiles when hewas looking for a way to express a message in

a literal, but subtle, way: If the writing ainton the wall already, these tiles provide the per-fect way to get it up there.

Each 6 x 12cast polymer tile represents acharacter of the Braille alphabet, and costs$50. Custom tactile messages may be ordereddirectly from Totem Design.

TotemDesignWebsite

Dennis Lin

http://www.totemdesign.com/index2.html

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3D FABRIC

Spacer is a high-tech upholstery fabric witha 3-dimensional look. Visually, it appears to

be three separate fabrics that have been con-nected. This look is achieved by a complex knit-ting process allowing all layers to be knittedat once which makes it incredibly strong. Thisstructure makes the fabric thick without beingtoo dense. Consequently, Spacer is a very com-fortable fabric to sit on.

This fabric is available in 5 bright colors. The

bright colors are achieved by digitally printingthe color onto the fabric. This also enhancesthe 3-dimensional look because the color issprayed through the top surface. Spraying,as opposed to piece dyeing, allows the middlelayer to remain white.

JhaneBarnesWebsite

JhaneBarnesTextiles

http://www.jhanebarnestextiles.com

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3D WALLPAPER

Designed by Jaime Salm and Esther Chung,Tangent is 3D wallpaper that is reconfigurable

and made from 100% waste paper. Tiles al-low for customization, both acoustically andaesthetically, and are easily recycled. They canalso be painted with water-based paints for anadditional flair.

Contract

Mio

http://www.mioculture.com/newtest/tangent.asp

ContractOctober2

003,p.

28

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TOPOGRAPHIC CEILINGS

The Topo 3D system (pictured left) consists ofpreformed translucent and opaque Lexan infill

panels installed into a curved suspension sys-tem. The infill panels are designed in four panelmodules to create the appearance of gentlyrolling curves.

The 2 x 2 Geometrix metal ceiling panels (mid-dle) are available in four profiles: flat, wedgeshaped, and wedge shaped with either inside oroutside corners.

Transparencies (right) is a fully accessibleluminous ceiling system which produces thefeeling of sunlit glass block with just a fractionof the weight, cost, and installation difficultiesof real glass. Panels consist of nine injectionmolded 8 x 8 blocks, factory assembled intoa 2 x 2 lay-in panel for fast installation and fullaccessibility.

USGWebsite

USG

http://www.usg.com/

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POLYESTER ACOUSTIC PANELS

Soundwave panel was designed to help controlthe sound levels in busy interiors. Made from

recyclable moulded polyester-fibre, the undulat-ing wave form and the felt-like material of theoriginal Soundwave helps reduce noice levelsby absorbing the mid/high frequency range.

Soundwave came about when we were de-signing Pravda, a restaurant in Helsinki. It is abig place and we didnt want it to be impossi-bly noisy. I couldnt find any acoustic products

that were good looking and thought there couldbe a place for something with more characterthan the technical products.

The material is moulded polyester fibre, thesame material used in the vehicle industry toquieten the interiors of tractor cabins and cars.

I liked the idea of 3D wallpaper, playing with

light and shadow. Swell 01 panel looks like anatural shape close up but when the panels arejoined together they form a much larger geo-metric pattern. Scrunch 02 panel is much moreirrational. The first sketch was made out ofscrunched paper and the production mould is acopy of a scrunched aluminium sheet. - TeppoAsikainen

SnowcrashWebsite

Snowcrash

http://www.snowcrash.se/products/sound_wave/

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TACKABLE ACOUSTIC PANELS

Robin Reigi produces tackable acoustic panelsmade of porous expanded polypropylene bead

foam. The panels are lightweight, fully tack-able, non-fibrous, structurally rigid, and havea non-abrasive surface. They are also Class Afire retardant.

The panels may be used for acoustical pur-poses, in commercial, educational and retailareas, and in environmentally sensitive areas.Acoustic capabilities vary with the thickness of

the panel.

The panels start at $5.00/SF for low volume,and are available in 2 x 4 sheets, 1 and 2thick. The panels require a 2-3 week orderinglead time. Available colors are charcoal andwhite.

Robin ReigiWebsite

Robin Reigi

http://www.robin-reigi.com

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ALGUES ORGANIC STRUCTURES

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullecs Algues (Frenchfor algae) is whatever you want it to be - a cur-

tain, divider, faux hedge, and more. Each finelybranched, 12-in. by 8-in. by 2-in. plastic modulehas 19 ring-like eyes that can be easily joinedto other modules with plastic pegs.

Contract

Bouroullec/Vitra

http://www.bouroullec.com/index.php?p=62

MD

12

ContractOctober2

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REPURPOSED

Repurposed materials may be defined as sur-rogates, or materials which are used in the

place of materials conventionally used in anapplication.

Repurposed materials provide several benefits,such as replacing precious raw materials withless precious, more plentiful ones; divertingproducts from the waste stream; implementingless toxic manufacturing processes; and simplydefying convention.

As a trend, repurposing is important becauseit underscores the desire for adaptability inindustry, as well as an increasing awareness ofour limited resources. While the performance ofrepurposed materials is not identical to that ofthe products they replace, sometimes new andunexpected benefits arise from their use.

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ALUMINUM FLOORING

Conceptually developed by Rem Koolhaasof the Office of Metropolitan Architecture,

aluminum flooring has been incorporated in hisBordeaux house and Prada store in Manhattan,and is planned to be included in many futureprojects.

Aluma-tek is a newly-formed manufacturerestablished in Chicago which produced thealuminum floor for OMAs IIT student center.According to Aluma-tek, aluminum floor prod-

ucts are custom developed with #5052 alloyaluminum sheets, 3/16-1/4 inch thick, whichare cut to specified sizes (2ftx4ft, 2ftx6ftetc.). A choice of three hand finishes are thenapplied to the surface of the aluminum creatinga unique look, and a protective coating of oil isapplied to minimize maintenance.

Aluma-tekWebsite

Aluma-tek

http://www.aluminumfloors.com/index.shtml

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LIGNASIL TILE

Madera solid surface tile is made entirely fromLignasil, which is a high performance bio-com-

posite material made from recycled naturalfibers. The integral-color tile is designed forhigh traffic applications, and is less expensive,lighter-weight, and warmer to the touch thanceramics or stone. Standard Madera tiles areprecision molded to 12 x 12 x 3/8, but canbe cut easily with typical woodworking tools.

MaderaWebsite

Madera

http://www.designbiz.com/web/CompanyWebsiteBrands.asp?CompanyID=84362&BrandID=516

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STRAWBOARD

Headquartered in Elie, Manitoba, Canada, Iso-bord Enterprises Inc. manufactures Isobord, a

premium engineered strawboard product. Madefrom finely-chopped wheat straw and non-formaldehyde resins, Isobord is an environmen-tally friendly product used in the constructionof furniture, cabinetry, countertops and casegood items.

Isobord Enterprises Inc. began operations in1998 with the production of 4-foot by 8-foot

Isobord panels in a variety of thicknesses. Theformaldehyde-free product immediately caughtthe attention of furniture, cabinetry and coun-tertop manufacturers for use as a componentproduct.

Isobords ability to hold lamination, paints andveneers has made it a sought-after environmen-tally friendly product by industries worldwide.

Isobord Enterprises also produces severalproducts that are sold directly to consumers inhome improvement retail locations throughoutNorth America. The environmentally friendlyproducts currently available to consumers in-clude Shelfbord shelving products; Storagebordattic storage system panels; and, Isounderlayunderlayment panels for flooring applications.

IsobordWebsite

Isobord/DOW

http://www.dow.com/bioprod/index.htm

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PALM FIBERBOARD

Malaysia supplies 50 percent of the worldspalm oil, a raw material in high demand for the

food processing and chemical industries. In thiscountry, palm trees flourish on nearly eightpercent of the land. Their fruit is roughly thesize of a plum and grows in umbels. It is har-vested every two months for the production ofoil. In addition to the stripped fruit stalks, palmleaves and parts of the tree trunk make up thelarge quantities of waste left behind in the oilproduction process. Yet these materials are

too valuable a resource to merely throw awayor burn. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institutefor Wood Research, Wilhelm Klauditz Institute,WKI, have been cooperating with the MalaysianPalm Oil Board to investigate ways of usingthis vast volume of fibrous waste. The conclu-sion: the fibers have been found to be highlysuitable for the manufacture of fiberboard forthe construction and furniture industries.

The first experimental investigations quicklyshowed that the various residual materialshave the right attributes for being processedto make medium-density fiberboard - MDF,reports engineer Volker Thole of the WKI. Theresidual materials are crushed and then pulpedinto fibrous material in a thermomechanicalprocess. Steam heats the fibers and then the

soft raw material is ground in a refiner. Finally,adhesive is added and the material is hot-pressed to achieve the desired density and finalsolid form of the fiberboard.


FraunhoferInstitute

http://www.fraunhofer.de/english/

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NATURAL POLYMERS

Cargill Dow has invented a new technology toproduce performance polymers entirely from

annually renewable resources. Using a patentedtechnology, they start with natural sugars(derived from plants such as corn, wheat, beetsand rice) and use fermentation to create lacticacid (a food additive) and some simple refiningsteps to create polylactide polymers (PLA). Theresult is the only commercially viable polymerto combine performance and cost competitive-ness with outstanding environmental benefits.

Cargill Dow makes polymers from annuallyrenewable resources that can be used in pack-aging, fibers, and other emerging applications.To meet the demand for PLA from the Na-tureWorks process, they built a plant in Blair,Nebraska with a capacity of 140,000 metrictons in 2002.

Cargill DowWebsite

Cargill Dow

http://www.cdpoly.com/natureworks/default.asp

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PLASTIC MIRROR

Andy Ouderkirk and fellow 3M scientist MikeWeber were zapping polymers with powerful la-

sers as part of a materials science experimentwhen Ouderkirk realized he could bind togetherhundreds of sheets of polymer film to create ahighly reflective material. The resulting plasticmirror is much cheaper to produce than thetraditional vacuum-coated glass variety. And itreflects light waves from across the spectrum:because the film doesnt absorb infrared, it canbe used as an invisible window coating, screen-

ing out solar rays without blocking any visiblelight and radio waves, as metallic screens do.

3M plans to launch its first plastic-mirrorproducts later this year. Theres an incrediblebreadth of apps, says Ouderkirk. Were hav-ing a good time exploring.

Wired

3m

http://www.3m.com

ValerieCover,WiredAugust2

000,p.

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CONDUCTIVE PLASTIC

Wired

Alan Heeger

You might mistake Alan Heeger for a slimmed-down Jerry Garcia clone - white mane and

beard, laid-back attitude, all-black outfit. Askthe UC Santa Barbara physicist to empty hispockets and you wont find guitar picks anda roach clip. But he will produce a handfulof transparent vials. Inside each is an ounceof clear liquid infused with invisible flecks ofplastic that mimic the molecular structure andbehavior of metal. Zap the solution with elec-tricity -or simply expose it to a bright light -and

the mixture emits a steady glow.

Neat trick. Heeger and two colleagues won the2000 Nobel Prize in chemistry for the accom-plishment: coaxing conductivity from plastic.(The material in the vials is a luminescentsemiconducting polymer.) Now their efforts,and those of a growing number of chemists,physicists, and engineers, are clearing the way

for superthin digital screens, polymer computermemory, disposable electronics, and a newgeneration of smartcards. Conventional plasticis a lousy conductor. Viewed using an electronmicroscope, its molecular structure resemblesa snarl of spaghetti. But arranging polymermolecules into long, straight rods lets electronsflow freely, approximating the conductivityof traditional materials like silicon or copper.

Heeger and his co-Nobelists, for example, dis-covered that oxidizing the polymer polyacety-lene with iodine vapors increased conductivitymore than a billionfold.

MichaelBehar

,TheNextPlasticRevolutioninWired01/2

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NATURAL FIBER INSULATION

Dwell

Bonded Logic

Contents: 85-95% post-industrial denim scraps,5-15% synthetic fiber to add fluff, and borates

for pest and flame resistance.

Use: Thermal insulation - denser than standardfiberglass and keeps out more noise.

Bonuses: No itchiness, no toxic fumes, de-spite starched cottony feel and boric smell.Reduces denim waste and uses less energythan fiberglass production. Nice shade of blue.

As Liat Margolis, of New York Citys MaterialConnexion, says: It replaces the conventionalmaterial... and nothing out there looks like it.So from a design perspective, it is exciting.

Problems: The plastic fiber and borates arentrecycled.

Price: About 30% more than typical fiberglassinsulation.

http://www.bondedlogic.com/insula.htm

ThisisYourGarbageinDwell,June2

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STRUCTURAL CHANNEL GLASS

ReglitWebsite

Pilkington

Pilkington Profilit is a translucent cast glassstructural glazing system which consists of a

series of self-supporting glass channels withinan extruded metal perimeter frame. The systemis relatively cost-effective, and well-suitedfor exterior and interior curved wall applica-tions. The long, sweeping wall of Steven HollsMuseum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki, forinstance, is comprised of Pilkington Profilit.

The U-shaped glass channels are formed by

computer-controlled furnaces, and are inher-ently strong enough to be installed withoutadditional vertical or horizontal supports. Ahigh-quality translucent silicone sealant whichmatches the natural tint of the glass must beused at all joints to make the system weather-tight.

http://www.reglit.com

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TEXTILE WALLPAPER

Gathering unexpected inspirations, Tracy Ken-dall rethinks wallpaper. Tracy Kendalls wall-

coverings generate their own patterns fromshadow and light. They have textures that sighaudibly in a breeze or click like ice cubes in atumbler. Using hand-sewn sequins and crystals,hand-cut paper, and bold but simple graphics,the London designer has become a pivotal fig-ure in the current renaissance of British wallpa-per. Tracys work is moving in a new directionentirely, design historian Lesley Jackson says,

treating paper more like a textile, weaving it,or creating 3-D effects by manipulating andinvolving the paper. That in its own right iscompletely new.

Metropolis

TracyKendall

http://www.tracykendall.com

ShonquisMoreno,

PaperMagnetinMetropolis,

October2

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ACOUSTICEL

Acousticel is an acoustic insulation materialmade from 100% recycled rubber. The rubber

comes from old car tires and is broken downinto small strips to make this non-woven sheetmaterial. The insulation is supplied in 10mmthick rolls for floors and 1 m2 panels for walls.

Rematerial-ize Website

SoundService Ltd.

http://www.soundservice.co.uk/Acousticel%20M20AD.htm

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PLASPHALT

02

Wired

TEWA

Along with pitch, lime, and gravel, this 2-milestretch of I-25 in New Mexico is reinforced

with another ingredient: plastic. Purple flecksfrom a toothbrush here, a bit of green tub-ing there. Gary Fishback and Erik Bowers ofAlbuquerques TEWA Technology are pavingthe nations roads with plasphalt - a proprietarymix of asphalt and recycled plastic. Thoughplasphalt costs 10 percent more than thestraight alternative, it lasts 25 percent longer.Plus, it diverts 27 percent of all waste from

landfill to highway. Right now, TEWAs best lo-cal suppliers are Philips Semiconductors, Intel,Coca-Cola, and Sandia National Laboratories.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/10.02/eword.html?pg=5

MichelePentz,

WiredFebruary2

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SYNDECRETE

SyndecreteWebsite

Syndesis

Syndecrete is a solid surfacing material (pre-cast lightweight concrete material) developed

by Architect David Hertz at Syndesis, Inc.as an alternative to limited or nonrenewablenatural materials such as wood and stone, andsynthetic petroleum based solid and laminatingmaterials.

Syndecrete is a restorative product, recon-stituting materials extracted from societyswaste stream to create a new, highly valued

product. The advanced cement-based compos-ite contains natural minerals and recycled ma-terials from industry and post consumer goodswhich contain up to 41% recycled content.Such materials include metal shavings, plasticregrinds, recycled glass chips and scrap woodchips to name a few. These materials are usedas decorative aggregates, creating a contem-porary reinterpretation of the Italian tradition

of Terrazzo. Syndecrete is less than half theweight with twice the compressive strength ofnormal concrete and is available in a variety ofdensities ranging from 35 - 100 lbs/c.f.

For more information about concrete and theenvironment, readA Material for a Finite Plan-et, a paper presented to the Portland CementAssociation conference on sustainability in Las

Vegas, 1994 and the Architects, Designers andPlanners for Social Responsibility conferenceon ecology in 1995 held at SCI-Arc, the South-ern California Institute of Architecture.http://www.syndesisinc.com/index-syndecrete.html

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RECYCLED ALUMINUM SOLID SURFACE

Alchemy is a new recycled solid materialdesigned for decorative furniture and counter

top surface applications. A result of blendingsalvaged aluminum waste, fillers and pigmentsin a monomer base, it is a product of beauty,strength and durability.

Alchemy is offered in 1/2 or 3/4 thicknessand is produced in custom sheet dimensions upto 36 by 120. The standard surface is tex-tured. Sheets may be cut, shaped and sanded

to achieve a variety of finishes from dull tohigh gloss, similar to other conventional solidsurface materials.

As Alchemy is currently being tested forproduct rating and classification, it is onlyrecommended for use as furniture and otherdecorative surface applications. Test resultsand classification data will be provided as soon

as available.

CabinartWebsite

Cabinart

http://www.cabinart.com

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BOMBPROOF FIBER-METAL

After a bomb went off in 1988 on Pan Amflight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all

259 passengers onboard, the Federal AviationAdministration created standards that industrywould have to meet if it chooses to deploy lug-gage containers capable of withstanding sucha blast. During the 1990s, the FAA tested 10hardened luggage containers made from a vari-ety of materials, including reinforced aluminum,fiberglass, aramid fibers and polymers.

Only one container - concocted from fiber-metallaminates developed originally by the DelftUniversity of Technology in the Netherlands- passed the FAAs test and received certifica-tion. The material, called Glare (short for glassreinforced), consists of multiple aluminum lay-ers interspersed with layers of fiberglass andadhesive bonding that are supple yet strong.When used in fabricating luggage containers,

Glare can absorb bomb blasts without breach-ing.

As Glare expands with a blast, it absorbs theexplosive energy and redistributes the impactload to the adjacent surface area rather than toone specific weak spot. The bomb blast leavesa sizable deformation in the containers sur-face, but it remains intact. Moreover, whereas

other FAA-tested containers were also ableto contain the bomb blast, Glare could resistthe subsequent luggage-fueled fire inside thecontainer. Galaxy Avia-tion Security

Website

Galaxy Avia-tion Security

http://www.galaxyavsec.com

DavidMcMullin,

LockerbieInsuranceinScientificAmerican,

January2002

,pp.1

5-16

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HIGH PRESSURE METAL LAMINATES

Germany-based Homapal has developed a lineof specialized high-pressure metal laminates.

They offer aluminum, stainless steel, copper,and brass-clad laminates with a wide variety ofreliefs and surface finishes for use in interiorvertical applications. Typical panel dimensionsare 244 x 102 cm and weigh 1.6 kg/m2.

HomapalWebsite

Homapal

http://www.homapal.de

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STRATIFIED WOOD PANELS

Parklex is a timber that has undergone aphysical and chemical process that creates a

material with excellent thermal and mechanicalperformance levels. The Parklex line includes:Parklex 1000 - Stratified panel; Parklex 500- Stratified panel for internal use; Parklex 2000- Floating floor; Parklex 3000 - Raised floorfinish; and Parklex Encimeras - Bathrooms andKitchens.

The Parklex 1000 is a stratified high-density

timber panel, formed internally with kraft paperor wood fibres treated with phenolic thermosetresins and compressed at high pressure andtemperatures. Parklex 1000 may be used ex-ternally or internally, and is generally fastenedonto a metal or timber batten structure, provid-ing a decorative finish that also acts as a rainscreen.

The surface is always 100% natural wood andhas been developed to withstand the specialdemands of environments exposed to the ele-ments, where it is subjected to the action ofatmospheric agents such as rain, extreme sun-light, wind, snow, etc.

ParklexWebsite

Parklex

http://www.parklex.com

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SKATELITE

Rainier Richlite produces phenolic sheets foraerospace tooling, commercial food service,

marine, materials handling, and skateboardramps. Their products Richlite, Whalelite, andnow Skatelite, consist of many layers of paperfrom certified managed forests impregnatedwith a low-v.o.c. phenolic binder. The result isan incredibly dense, smooth, and durable prod-uct which may be modified with conventionalwoodworking tools.

The aircraft industry was the first to capitalizeon Richlite as a superior tooling material, andthe food service industry broadly acknowledgesthat Richlite makes the worlds best cuttingboards and work surfaces. Growing demand inthe boating industry for non-rotting, strongermaterials precipitated a venture into the marinemarket with Whalelite.

Skatelite has been recognied as the long-soughtsolution to problems of wear, rot, heat, mainte-nance, performance, etc. in high-wear exteriorapplications such as skateparks. Skatelite isavailable in 5 x 12 panels and has a 30,000psi compressive strength. Logos may be printeddirectly onto the material and will not wear off.Skatelite is fire resistant and self-extinguisheseven under intense flames. Skatelite is also is

unaffected by paint thinners and chemicals,and maintains its smooth finish even after graf-fiti removal. Skatelite is long-lasting despite ex-cessive use and punishing weather conditions. RainierRichlite

Website

RainierRichlite

http://www.skatelite.com/home.html

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PHENOLIC ARCHITECTURAL PANELS

Trespa Meteon is an extremely weather resis-tant panel material, unaffected by sunlight,

rain - including acid rain - or moisture. Thephenolic-based material is also highly impactresistant, and the surface of the panel has aclosed structure, which does not attract dirtand makes deliberate defacing difficult. Thefire behavior of the panel material is safe - itdoes not melt, drip or explode and retains itsstability for a long time. Furthermore, TrespaMeteon is easy to work with and simple to

maintain. Theres no need to paint, finish orcover the surfaces or cut edges. Sawing, drill-ing and tooling can be carried out with stan-dard hardwood tools.

Trespa Meteon is available in more than 50colors, ranging from primary to metallic colors,with a decorative surface on one or both sides.Trespa Meteon is supplied in three standard

sheet sizes and four thicknesses. There is alsoa choice of grades: standard with a black coreand fire retardant (FR) with brown core.

TrespaWebsite

Trespa

http://www.trespa.com

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LIQUID WOOD

Renewable raw materials ease the burden onthe environment. Researchers from the Fraun-

hofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT inPfinztal near Karlsruhe, led by Prof. Peter Ey-erer and Dr. Norbert Eisenreich, are developinga thermoplastic material deformable underheat based on natural resources. The unusualthing about this material, which is known asArboform is that although it possesses similarproperties to wood, it can be cheaply injec-tion-molded like a plastic. This can be a major

advantage in production, for example, in themanufacture of molded parts for the automo-bile industry.

One of the raw materials used in Arboform islignin. This is the substance that gives woodits rigidity. Lignin is the second most frequentlyoccurring polymer in nature. Every year millionsof tons of it are produced as a by-product in

the paper industry. Up to now lignin has mainlybeen burned in order to produce energy, butthis renewable material can also be used in adifferent way: when lignin is mixed with natu-ral fibers, the thermoplastic material Arboformis formed. This can be used in many applica-tions as a substitute for synthetic materialsderived from oil. We have been working fortwo years on the optimum composition of natu-

ral polymers and natural fibers, Helmut Ngeleand Jrgen Pfitzer of the ICT report. The scien-tists are working on ways of making Arboformmore malleable and more heat-resistant.

FrauhoferInstituteWebsite

FrauhoferInstitute

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GLASS-COATED PLASTIC

Plastics come in many forms. They are usedto make boats, magnifiers, skis and all manner

of household items. Transparent plastic sheetpanels would be ideal in the manufacture ofwindows or headlamps of cars, for example,and tinted plastic foils could more readilybe used to protect against the sun if onlythe material was not so easily scratched.Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute forElectron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP inDresden have presented a process by which

plastic sheet panels and foils can be rapidlycoated with a scratchproof glassy layer atmoderate costs.

There are various means of applying a transpar-ent scratchproof coating to plastic materials:liquid coatings such as paint or sol-gel applica-tions - or methods such as plasma chemicalvapor deposition, sputtering or electron-beam

evaporation, whereby the coating is appliedin a vacuum. Liquid coatings are relativelyinexpensive, but do not ensure such a hard andwear-resistant surface as do vacuum coatingprocesses. High-rate electron-beam evaporationis comparatively the least expensive vacuumcoating process. To achieve coatings of ex-treme hardness and resilience it is necessary toapply an intensive plasma during the evapora-

tion process.


FraunhoferInstitute

http://www.fhg.de

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IONOPLAST INTERLAYER GLASS

DuPontWebsite

DuPont

On James Carpenters Blue Glass Passage atSeattles new City Hall, fully exposed edges

and the lack of cumbersome fixtures givethe glass bridge the look of a transposed sliceof water. New DuPont SentryGlas Securetechnology enabled aluminium inserts to belaminated directly into the bridges glass floor,giving an innovative technical solution for theaesthetic look the designers wanted.

In the first application of DuPont SentryGlas

Secure technology worldwide, James Carpen-ter Design Associates (JCDA) of New York hascreated a striking, cobalt blue, laminated glassbridge, 20 m long, over which Seattle City Hallcouncil members walk to enter the buildingschambers.

The patented DuPont technology was designedto enable architects to design with a robust

new generation of laminated glass applica-tions that meet stringent security or seismic standards worldwide. Its inventors at DuPontGlass Laminating Solutions Central Research& Development have said: SentryGlas Securetechnology utilizes the engineered properties ofSentryGlas Plus ionoplast interlayer with aston-ishing results. This is based on the fact thatSentryGlas Plus ionoplast interlayer bonds well

to a range of materials beyond glass, meaningthat enhanced performance can be engineeredin to the overall construction.

http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/lgn/stories/2601.html

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METAFLOOR

Metafloor is a hybrid floor covering: carpetingthat offers the advantages of a hard surface.

Inspired by the attractive lustre of nylon in acarpet sample, the designers revealed the coreof carpeting by exposing the backing material.The Collaborative Voice line pictured here com-prises four 12-foot-long products with a varietyof textured finishes, all of which display thesynthetic substrate.

Frame

Lees

http://www.leescarpets.com/collections/MetaFloor/MetaFloor.htm

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REPEAT TEXTILES

Repeat by Hella Jongerius introduces newdimension and context to upholstery textiles.

Comprised of a series of patterns of singulartheme seamlessly flowing into one another overthe course of several yards, Repeat Classic isa ribbon of archetypal jacquard motifs, whileRepeat Dot unfurls into a modernist sequenceof varied circular forms.

In Repeat Classic Print and Repeat Dot Print,Jongerius embellishes further, celebrating the

industrial vocabulary of the weaving processthrough a layer of technical nomenclature inwhite lacquer overprint. Repeat Classic, RepeatDot and their overprinted variations are eachavailable as panels in unique colorations. Aseries of four elements drawn from RepeatClassic and Repeat Dot is offered in a range ofcolors, providing the opportunity to mix, matchor mismatch. Through the unexpected use of

pattern and exaggerated scale, Repeat createsrandom order as fabric meets furniture with apredictable yet uncertain result.

Repeat patterns are sold in full repeat incre-ments only, while all Repeat elements are avail-able by the yard.

Maharam

HellaJongerius

http://www.maharam.com/maharam.html

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VARIA

3forms Varia encapsulates colorful hand-madepapers, metal screens and woven mesh within

specially engineered, high-performance translu-cent resin, which itself can be embossed with avariety of molds.

A green product from the beginning, Varia isproduced in a clean and environmentally friend-ly process and is a recyclable materialfirerated for use in interiors with half the weightand 40 times the impact strength of glass.

Varia also outperforms all acrylic resin-basedproductsit will not shatter, crack or discolorand can be contour heat-draped to any form.Sheets can be easily drilled and custom cut tosize and shape on site, saving time and moneyon fabrication and installation.

Varia can be used for partitions, cladding,tabletops, and even flooring. With full in-house

fabrication and rapid prototyping capabilities,3form gives designers fast sampling and techni-cal support.

3formWebsite

3form

http://www.3-form.com/default.html

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IMAGO

KnollTextiles created Imago, a revolutionaryhard surface material that marries the best

qualities of glass, fabric and high-performanceresin. Developed by Suzanne Tick, creativedirector of KnollTextiles, Imago is a family ofproducts made through a patented process thatencapsulates fabric in an engineered resin foruse in both vertical and horizontal applications.

Like a frozen fabric, Imago changes with theamount and direction of light cast upon it, and

also affects perception of space beyond. Thename itself is defined in Latin as image, refer-ring to the materials ability to transform spacethrough varying levels of transparency andtranslucency.

The inspiration for the development of Imagocame from a scientist who perfected thepatented encapsulation process and who was

looking for a way to develop aesthetics thatwould match the great performance of thisnew material. Tick, always searching for newtechnologies to take textiles to a new level,was intrigued with this process and immedi-ately began experimenting with different typesof fabrics.

KnollWebsite

Knoll

http://www.knoll.com/index.jsp

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LITECORE

When architects Christian Mitman and Emman-uelle Bourlier were unable to find a lightweight,

translucent material for a project they wereworking on, they halted their search and took adifferent approach to solving the problem: theyinvented one.

Hence the birth of liteCORE, translucent hon-eycomb panels that are not only perfect forsliding walls, screens and tables, but this sleekmaterial is also sturdy enough to be used for

a ceiling or a floor. With such demand for thepanels (both residential and commercial,) Mit-man and Bourliers company has expanded tothe West Coast.

LiteCORE consists of a bonded compositesandwich construction in which the structuralaluminum honeycomb core provides a highstrength to weight ratio and excellent resis-

tance to deflection. The fiberglass-reinforcedpolyester facings require low maintenance andare scratch and weather resistant.

LiteCORE can be drilled, machined, andframed using standard woodworking methods.LiteCORE panels are 3/4 thick with a 3/8honeycomb cell size, and come in standard 4x 8 and 4 x 10 sheets. However, Panelite

will soon be offering a range of core and fac-ing options so that you can design your ownsandwich.

CityNY,LitecoreWebsite

Panelite

http://www.litecore.com/index.html

DavidLaChappelle,

CityNYAu

gust1999

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HONEYCOMB PANELS

Cellbond manufactures translucent honeycombpanels comprised of an aluminum honeycomb

core sandwiched between toughened glass orpolycarbonate skins. The use of a bonded sand-wich results in a high strength-to-weight ratioand provides excellent resistance to deflection.The honeycomb core also provides rigidity withvery low density.

Cellbond manufactures honeycomb panelswhich may be used as decorative partitions, as

well as durable flooring and vandal-resistantpanels.

CellbondWebsite

Cellbond

http://www.cellbond.com/index.html

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WOVEN RESIN

Xorel Surfaces are woven high-tech resins thatlook like textiles but are durable and as easy to

clean as laminates. Created by thermofusingPETG (a polyester resin) with Xorel, the endresult is a tactile, hard surface that is durable,cleanable and environmentally sound with nochlorine content or plasticizers.

Because the textile is the surface, each patternand color is as vibrant, tactile and dimensionalas the fabric it is crafted from. Depending on

the pattern chosen, it can be translucent oropaque and the surface can be embossed ortextured with different patterns. The materialitself can be drilled, cut, bent, tapped into andheat draped, and comes in 4 x 8 sheets in sixgauges, with pricing ranging between $416and $960.

Met Home

Carnegie

http://www.carnegiefabrics.com

Arlen

eHirst,TakeNoteinMetHome,Mar/Apr2

002,p.

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METALLIC LAMINATED GLASS

VancevaWebsite

Vanceva

A remarkably tough protective interlayer, alsoknown as polyvinyl butyral or PVB, is the high-

performance component in laminated glass.Laminated architectural glass is produced bybonding the PVB based interlayer betweentwo or more panes of glass under heat andpressure. The result is durable, adaptable, high-performance glazing which, if broken, tends toretain glass fragments and reduces the risk ofinjury or property damage.

While exploring the possibilities of creating ametallic interlayer for glass, Solutias technol-ogy team discovered a way to add texture tothe glass at the same time. The effect is glassthat appears to have a rich, almost fabric-likeappearance, while incorporating subtle shim-mering elements. To add color, this special me-tallic interlayer can be combined with Solutiasrange of ten foundational Vanceva Design color

hues to achieve jewel-like brilliant color orsofter shades. For a more custom look, variouspalette colors can be combined to create up to62 different colors.

http://www.vanceva.com/design/en/html/default.asp

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TRANSLUCENT FABRIC

KovaTextilesWebsite

KovaTextiles

Libby Kowalski has produced the first fabricmade from completely clear extruded polymer

yarn. The resulting aesthetic is similar to wo-ven drawn glass.

So-called Krystal Weave comes in 54 widesheets, and is available in clear and translucentdesigns. It can be used as a fabric or in a lami-nate form which may be produced in varyingthicknesses, finishes and colors.

Fabric uses include window coverings, roomdividers, shower curtains and pillows (from$65 yd).

http://www.kovatextiles.com/

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THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAICS

DuPontWebsite

Iowa ThinFilm Tech./DuPont

Photovoltaic (PV) modules, also called solarpanels, have come a long way since the 80s,

when the best words to describe them were:clunky, heavy, rigid, and awkward. Today, PVmodules have evolved to become graceful, flex-ible, elegant architectural design elements. Thisevolution has been driven by new thin film PVmaterial technologies.

Crystalline silicon PV is the standard technol-ogy for producing solar electricity. Each cell

contains doped silicon material which captureslight wavelengths to convert sunlight into elec-tricity. Silicon sheds electrons when exposed tosunlight, creating an electrical charge that canbe harvested and used.

A new breed of PV solar module, producedexclusively by Iowa Thin Film Technologiesusing DuPont Tefzel high performance thin

fluoropolymer film as an encapsulant, is helpingarchitects explore ways to integrate this tech-nology into their structural designs.

Architect Nicholas Goldsmith, FAIA, of FTLHappold, New York, recently incorporated theaesthetic and environmental advantages ofSolar power-producing systems into a tent-likepavilion with a thin film PV membrane which

diffuses sunlight into fine, speckled patterns,and allows air to vent. Goldsmith believes thisis the first time solar cells have been used in atensile structure.http://www.dupont.com/teflon/films/next-gen.html

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INTELLIGENT

Intelligent is a catch-all term for materialsthat are designed to improve their environment

and which often take inspiration from biologicalsystems. They can act actively or passively,and they can be high-tech or low-tech. Manymaterials in this category indicate a growingfocus on the manipulation of the microscopicscale.

Intelligence is not used here to describe prod-ucts which have autonomous computational

power, but rather products which are inherent-ly smart by design. The varied list of benefitsprovided by materials featured here includespollution reduction, water purification, solarradiation control, natural ventilation, and powergeneration. An intelligent product may simplybe a flexible or modular system which addsvalue throughout its life cycle.

Intelligent materials are significant becausetheir designers and manufacturers are acknowl-edging the importance of increased social andenvironmental stewardship, not to mention thedesire to improve upon old models. IN

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WATERCONE

ID

StephanAugustin

When on vacation from his job as a designerfor BMW in Munich, Stephan Augustin enjoys

traveling around Africa. On one such trip sevenyears ago, he was struck by how many peoplewere in desperate need of water. He noted thehuge amounts of energy consumed by desalina-tion and purification plants in Third World coun-tries and learned that an estimated 2.5 billionpeople on the planet lack consistent supplies ofclean drinking water.

In the years since, Augustin has been perfect-ing the Watercone, his invention for purifyingwater by the oldest method known: distillation.A cone of clear plastic set on a black tray base,the Watercone is entirely solar powered. Sun-light evaporates the water, leaving impuritiesbehind, and the moisture that condenses on theinner surface of the cone runs down its curvededges. Flip it over and the Watercone becomes

a funnel with a screw lid. If the cap gets mis-placed, no worry: The lid is compatible withany standard plastic soda-bottle cap.

Augustin calculates that at the latitude ofCasablanca, one Watercone can provide abouta liter of water a day. Several could be laid outas a miniature water farm, one for a household,hundreds for a village system. Eight Water-

cones stack into a standard box and two boxesfit on a Euro shipping pallet.

http://www.watercone.com/

PhilPat

ton,

DistillationtoGoinIDmagazine,

November2003

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ADVANCED STRUCTURAL FABRICATION

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TriPyramidWebsite

TriPyramid

TriPyramid was founded in 1989 to bring newtechnologies and materials to architectural

projects, in response to a growing desire forstructural tension elements that are elegant,unobtrusive, strong and efficient.

TriPyramids founders had significant designand metallurgical experience from their workon Americas Cup yacht rigging, and have ap-plied these technologies and aesthetics to glasswalls, sculptures, skylights, stairs, memori-

als, and residences. TriPyramids clients arearchitects, structural engineers, contractors,and artists. TriPyramids engineers work inclose collaboration with the client in develop-ing solutions that will realize and enhance thearchitects vision.

TriPyramids clients are architects, artists, andstructural engineers. On a specific project, Tri-

Pyramid enters a collaborative design relation-ship with the architect/artist and his structuralengineer, before the manufacturing phase.TriPyramid then manufactures the stainlesssteel and other hardware as called for in designspecifications.

TriPyramids impressive portfolio includes workon the Tokyo International Forum, the New

York Museum of Natural History Planetarium,the Corning Glass Center, and several of glassartist Jame

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