This month’s A+U journal adopts the theme of “Materials / Treatments” in the study of international contemporary architecture and design. Sauerbruch Hutton, Foreign Office Architects, Asymptote, Eduardo Souto de Moura, David Chipperfield, and Chuck Hoberman are included in the list of creative practices currently conducting robust experiments in material applications. The essay “Testing Ground: Emergent [...]
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Transmaterial- Unrepeatable CarpetsA collaboration between visual artist Marcel Kronenburg and software engineer Marten Teitsma, Unrepeatable Carpets are the result of a process designed to create unique carpet patterns throughout buildings. A reaction against the repetitive monotony of standard carpet tiles, Unrepeatable Carpets apply randomly generated images and patterns to a variety of ca […]
- CrackleWhen French luxury jeweler Mauboussin approached the Rockwell Group to design its new store, the design firm selected Nathan Allan Glass Studios Inc. to create a unique architectural decor element. The challenge was to make a statement without overwhelming the high-end merchandise it would showcase. Working in conjunction with Rockwell’s designers, Nathan Al […]
- Cork FabricLondon-based designer Yemi Awosile has developed a new fabric from an innovative combination of repurposed cork and elastane. Cork Fabric is suited to interior design applications such as upholstery, wall coverings, and wall panels, and benefits from the high elasticity of elastane fiber as well as the acoustic and thermal insulating properties found in cork […]
- Photo-Engraved AluminumThe focus of Intaglio Composites is the art of photographic transfer to materials. The company has developed a new, recyclable process that allows the permanent engraving of images, graphics, and text into aluminum. Unlike laser engraving, there is no restriction on size, the etching depth may be varied, and the process is relatively inexpensive. Photo […]
- ZetixMost blast-defense systems are only capable of coping with a single explosive event. Once they have deployed, any protection they offered is lost. The unusual construction of the Zetix fabrics means that they effectively “vent” much of the blast energies through, lessening the load on the support structure. As a result, they offer a multiple-blast […]
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Mind & Matter
- Scientists Develop Regenerating Solar Cells September 5, 2010Experiment with elf-repairing synthetic chloroplast. Photo: Patrick Gillooly, MIT. As the race to develop more affordable solar energy technologies persists, scientists continue to pursue the deep secrets of photosynthesis. One surprising discovery is the frequent self-repairing capability of leaf cells. Because sunlight can be quite damaging, proteins with […]
- Multiple Memory Material Technology September 5, 2010Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) have generated a lot of recent interest, given their ability to change shape and return to a ‘memorized’ state under different temperature conditions. This so-called hysteresis effect typically involves a transition between two states: the original, cold-forged shape and a new desired shape.A research team at the University of Wate […]
- Wood Glue from Soybeans August 29, 2010In today’s increasingly environmentally aware society, the ubiquity of formaldehyde in wood manufacturing has been downplayed. A pervasive chemical used as an adhesive in plywood, particle board, and other wood products, formaldehyde is a potential carcinogen and releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate one’s eyes, skin, and mucous membra […]
- Fab Labs for the Military August 29, 2010Mobile Parts Hospital. Photo: Clegg Industries. Digital fabrication has garnered much recent interest, offering the promise of just-in-time, decentralized manufacturing with reduced transportation costs. Neil Gershenfeld’s Fab Lab program at MIT promotes the technological empowerment of developing communities and entrepreneurial advancement of small-scale b […]
- New Composite for Safer Collisions August 22, 2010Splintering in conventional composite materials. Photo: W. R. Howell. The switch from steel to lighter, more complex composites in automobiles has resulted in higher fuel efficiencies. However, these materials have demonstrated an imperfect response to collisions, resulting in sharp, splintered fragments that can increase occupant injury—as opposed to the […]
- When Screen and Sunlight Don’t Disagree August 22, 2010Hybrid LCD–e-ink screen. Credit: Fast Company Since the computer became the predominant office tool, sunlight entering the building envelope has been heavily regulated. The conventional open office space is often enveloped by mini-blinds that remain closed throughout the day—because employees are too lazy to open the blinds during the hours that sunlight is […]
- When Old Growth is Good August 16, 201023.2 House by Omer Arbel Office. Photo: Nic Lehoux The modern industrialization of timber and the depletion of old-growth forests have resulted in an increased quantity of engineered lumber products composed of lesser-grade materials. Today’s laminated veneer lumber, plywood, and particle board contain higher percentages of glue and filler materials than p […]
- Electric Caryatids August 16, 2010Land of Giants by Choi + Shine Architects. Despite the significant environmental and visual influence of infrastructure and civil engineering projects, architects rarely participate in their design and planning. When architects do get involved, conventional strategies include minimizing the physical reality of the work or applying aesthetic flourishes to a […]
- Scientists Develop Regenerating Solar Cells September 5, 2010
