Unlike the artist, who interacts directly with his or her palette, the architect is one-step removed from the physical

substance that makes architecture. This synapse often breeds ignorance about what materials are available or what

properties they possess, which is reinforced by the fact that most buildings are still comprised by relatively conventional

products and 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 has been hell-bent for innovation. One sees not a

fixed catalog of products, but rather a constantly shifting array of materials which offer continual improvements upon

known standards or which render those standards obsolete. Within this ever-changing inventory, several broad

classifications arise which elucidate the material transformations that are occurring. By analyzing the most innovative

products and processes according to these expansive trends, it is my hope that we can gain a greater comprehension of

these developments in order to imbue our physical environment with the same unrelenting expectations for innovation.

Source: Introduction to transmaterial by Blaine Brownell

We will be looking at various categories of transmaterial for the following weeks: 

ULTRAPERFORMING

MULTIDIMENSIONAL

REPURPOSED

RECOMBINANT

INTELLIGENT

TRANSFORMATIONAL

INTERFACIAL

UCLA’s student blog on Transmaterial 

http://www.digital-doa.com/jsipprell/archives/materials/index.html

Architectural Record’s article on Transmaterial

http://www.archrecord.com/resources/conteduc/archives/0311edit-1.asp

Architectural Record’s article on New Concrete

http://www.archrecord.com/resources/conteduc/archives/0501edit-1.asp

Online Exhibition: The changing world as predicted by ‘The City of Bits’

The Interactive art of ART+COM

Transmaterials of the week

ULTRAPERFORMING (Lightweight but ultrastrong)

Throughout human history, material innovation has been defined by the persistent testing of limits. Ultra-performing

materials are those which are stronger, lighter, more durable, and more flexible than their conventional counterparts.These

materials are important because they shatter known boundaries and necessitate new thinking about the shaping of our

physical environment. Interestingly enough, one of the most significant trends in material innovation is actually

dematerialization. The ongoing pursuit of thinner, more porous, and less opaque products indicates a notable movement

towards greater exposure and ephemerality. The recent fabrication of translucent concrete, for example, is significant

because what has been understood to be a thick, heavy, and opaque material can now transmit light. We can now see

through walls. It should come as no surprise that ultra-performing materials are generally expensive and difficult to obtain,

although many of the following products are being developed for a broad market.

High-performance concrete

http://imagineductal.com/imagineductal/intro.asp

http://www.ductal-lafarge.com/cgi-bin/lafcom/jsp/homeDuctal.do?lang=en

Light-transmitting concrete

http://www.litracon.hu/

Foamed aluminium

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

Woven metal mesh

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

Lumicor

http://www.lumicor.com/_lumicor/index.php

Laminated Thermoplastic panels

http://www.blizzard-composite.com/en/

Tensioned Fabric structures

http://www.transformitdesign.com/

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MULTIDIMENSIONAL(Materials with 3-dimensional qualities)

Obviously, materials are physically defined by three dimensions. But many products and

buildings have long been conceived as a collection of flat planes which define space and function

(consider a computer motherboard or Le Corbusier’s domino frame, for example). A new trend

highlights the exploitation of the z-axis in the manufacture of a wide variety of materials, ranging

from fabrics to wall and ceiling treatments. One reason for this development is the fact that

taking advantage of greater depth allows thin materials to become more structurally stable.

Another reason is that materials with enhanced texture and richness are more visually

interesting. Augmented dimensionality will likely be a growing movement, especially considering

the technological trends toward miniaturization, systems integration, and pre-fabrication.

Lift surface materials

http://www.forms-surfaces.com/products/index/architectural_surfaces.htm

Tracking system for curved timber partitions

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

Gigantic corrugated boards

http://www.well.de/en/use_wellboard.html

Liquid plywood

http://www.reholz.de/

http://www.ply.fi/

3D glass

http://www.jbermanglass.com/glass/glass_textures.html

3D gypsum panels

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

3D tiles

http://www.totemdesign.com/products/search/designer.html

3D fabric

http://www.jhanebarnestextiles.com/1/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=4

3D wallpaper

http://www.mioculture.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=2&idproduct=8

3D ceiling

http://www.usg.com/ProductGallery.do?resource=/USG_Marketing_Content/usg.com/web_files/products/product_gallery/Luminous-gallery_detail_page.gxml

3D acoustic tiles

http://www.offecct.se/Templates/products.aspx?tabindex=1&subtab=6&productId=111

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Compulsory browsing list for Assignment 1

Transmaterial online database

Trends and links in emergent materials

Emergent technologies used on design