Case Study: LA Prada Store

architect: OMA*AMO Architecture PC, New York, NY

client: Prada

location: Los Angeles, CA

material of interest: polyurethane foam sponge

application: interior finish

Materials in the News: organic light-emmitting diodes 09.08.2009

Check out this recent NY Times article on OLEDs and how they are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons, including their energy efficiency.

Click here to read the article.

Some insights on Materials Research: Immaterial/Ultramaterial

I was recently reminded of a great book about materials research: Immaterial/Ultramaterial: Architecture, Design, and Materials edited by Toshiko Mori.

The book discusses different types of material research being conducted based on types such as edge, surface, substance, and phenomena.

The book also transcribes round table discussions between some well-known architects regarding each subject.

There are two copies of the book on reserve at the Kranzberg Art and Architecture Library. Check it out if you get a chance!

Material of the Week: Paperstone 08.31.09

Paperstone is an innovative surface material that can be applied in various ways including counter tops and rainscreens.

Paperstone offers a few types of surface materials, made of 100% recycled post-consumer recycled cardboard, 100% post-consumer recycled paper, or virgin fiber. All types are manufactured with a petroleum-free resin.

The 'Certified' type, made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper is certified by the Smartwood program of the Rainforest Alliance to the Forest Stewardship Council standards.

Paperstone boasts steel-like strength in span and a workability similar to that of wood.

To learn more about Paperstone, visit their site by clicking here.

Have a question or comment regarding this week's Material of the Week? Have a suggestion for another Material of the Week? Please leave a comment by clicking "n comments" below.

Material of the Week: 8.24.09 Tradical Hemcrete

Tradical has developed a line of construction products and materials made of Hemp and Lime.

Hemcrete is a light concrete that is intended for insulation of walls, floors, and roofs. It is made primarily of hemp shiv and a lime binder.

"Fast growing hemp stores carbon during its growth and releases oxygen into the atmosphere. The overall CO2 balance for Tradical hemp and lime products is such that captured carbon is retained within the fabric of a building."

-www.lhoist.co.uk/tradical

Click here to learn more about Tradical Hemcrete.

images sourced from www.inhabitat.com

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Have a suggestion for another Material of the Week?

Please leave a comment by clicking on "n comments"
below.

Material of the Week: 08.17.2009 Solar Ivy

Check out this environmentally conscious and innovative material.

Solar Ivy is a flexible system of Photovoltaic modules that generate and deliver solar energy.

"Solar Ivy utilizes recycled and reclaimed materials wherever possible and insure that at the end of the system's lifespan, sustainable methods of recycling and reclamation are carried out to minimize environmental and resource footprints."

Click here to learn more about Solar Ivy.

Have a question or comment on this week's Material of the Week? Have a suggestion for another Material of the Week? Please leave a comment by clicking on "n comments" below.

Material of the Week: 08.02.2009 Coverings Etc. Bio-Glass

I found this week's Material of the Week thanks to LK Wilhelms of Green Box Solutions, who represents Coverings Etc's products.

Bio-Glass is a translucent glass surface that is made of 100% recycled glass and that is 100% recyclable. It is also Cradle-to-Cradle certified and is eligible for LEED credit.

The recycled content of the material yields an amazing texture in its translucency. Bio-Glass can be applied as a counter-top surface, exterior cladding, and more.

Click here to learn more about Bio-Glass from Coverings Etc.

Click here to contact LK Wilhelms to learn more about Bio-Glass.








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Materials Resource Center News

This week, some of us at the Materials Resource Center had the opportunity to meet with LK Wilhelms of Green Box Solutions. LK represents sustainable materials and products in range of applications.

LK spoke with us about the materials she represents, how and where the are made, and how they compare with less sustainable alternatives. It was great to hear about products that are not only worth LEED credit, but also have been Cradle-to-Cradle certified, and even Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

Some of the manufacturers that LK currently represents include Smith & Fong Plyboo, Coverings Etc., Ceilings Plus, and BASWAphon.

Check out LK's site here at www.greenboxsol.com.

Material of the Week: 07.27.09 Heliostats

This week's Material of the Week is found in a case study, the Tear Drop Park South project by Carpenter Norris Consulting. Heliostats are devices that use mirrors to project sunlight.

Click here and here to learn more about heliostats.

Click here to learn more about the Tear Drop Park South project.




Have a question or comment about this week's "Material of the Week"? Have a suggestion for another "Material of the Week"? Please leave a comment by clicking on "n comments" below!

Material of the Week: 7.20.09 Propex Geotextiles

Check out these geotextiles from Propex Geosynthetics. Their product lines varies from erosion control blankets, to turf reinforcement mats, to fence fabrics and paving products.

Click here for more information about Propex Geosynthetics.

Click here for more information about all of Propex's products and innovations.

Have a question or comment on this week's "Material of the Week"? Have a suggestion for another "Material of the Week"? Please leave a comment by clicking on "n comments" below!

Material of the Week: 7.13.09 Activ self-cleaning glass by Pilkington

Remember the Biomimicry lecture given by Janine Beynus in Spring 2009?

If you attended the lecture, you may remember Janine speaking of glass that cleaned itself, mimicking the behavior of plant leaves. This product does just that; it cleans itself thanks to a coating that is hydrophilic ("water-loving") and uses UV-rays to break down organic dirt.

Check out Pilkington's website for more info.


What do you think of Activ glass? Let us know by leaving a comment below.





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Materials Library Update

Check out these photos of the Materials Library in the basement of Givens.

The metal panels will hold samples of the materials in our database so that students and faculty can get a better sensibility about the materials.

What do you think? Let us know by posting a comment below!

Check back for more updates!

Have questions about the materials library, the materials database, or this blog? Leave a comment below!

Material of the Week: 07.06.09 Pervious Concrete

Pervious Concrete is an alternative to asphalt paving that offers environmental, economical, structural, and functional benefits.

One of the key benefits of pervious concrete is its management of storm water run-off.

Click here to learn about pervious concrete's eligibility for leed credit.

Click here to learn more about pervious concrete.

Have a question or comment about this week's "Material of the Week"? Have a suggestion for another "Material of the Week"? Please leave a comment by clicking "n comments" below.

Material of the Week: 06.29.09 DesignTex

Design Tex offers textiles made of recycled materials and rapidly renewable resources that share the same hand and quality as traditional textiles.

Visit their website to learn more about their products, their relationship with leed, their manufacturing and recycling processes, and more!

Have comments or questions on this week's "Material of the Week"? Have suggestions for another "Material of the Week"? Please leave a comment by clicking on "n comments" below.

Material of the Week: 06.22.09 Environ Biocomposites

Environ Biocomposites produces alternative materials that are made of rapidly renewable resources such as sunflower hulls and wheat straw.

Visit their website to learn more about their products.

Check out their products' eligibility for LEED credit and information on the company's carbon footprint.

Materials in the News

Renzo Piano was interviewed by Charlie Rose in May 2009. In the interview, Piano discusses some of his recent work, as well as the impact of sustainability on current and upcoming designers.

Click here to see the interview.

Material of the Week: 06.15.09 3-form

Click here to learn about 3-Form and LEED.

Click here to learn about new photovoltaic technology from 3-Form.

Have any questions or comments? Want to suggest a material for 'Material of the Week'? Click below on "n comments" to post a comment!

New Online Resources Added

Hi All! We have added numerous links to our "resources and design blogs" section on the right side of the blog page. Many of the new links relate to sites with a focus on sustainable lifestyles and methods, as well as design, products, and, of course, materials!

Have questions about any of the links or know of others? Post a comment by clicking on "n comments" below!

Material of the Week: 6.1.09 Bubble Glass

Click here to learn more about Bubble Glass.

Have thoughts or questions about this material? Want to suggest another material of the week? Click below on "n comments" to post a comment!

Material of the Week: 5.25.09 Green Screen

Click here to learn more about Green Screen.

Material of the Week: 5.11.09 Trespa Panels

Click here to learn more about Trespa Panels.

Material of the Week: 4.27.09 Meshglass

Click here to learn more about Mesh Glass.