Sunday, November 04, 2007

Reben

Developed by Japan-based Suzuran Corporation, Reben is an environmentally remediating paint made from 100 percent natural ingredients. Created as a response to sick-building syndrome and poor indoor-air quality, Reben emits no harmful volatile organic compounds and actually cleans the air.

The environmentally friendly coating, which means “alive” in German, is comprised of powdered Japanese washi paper, seaweed glue, scallop-shell powder, titanium dioxide, and natural pigments. Washi naturally controls humidity, absorbing moisture during the summer and releasing it during the winter. Scallop-shell powder prevents mold and bacteria growth, as well as flame-spread. Titanium dioxide acts as a photocatalyst, deodorizing the air and absorbing pollution when the paint surface is illuminated.

Despite its completely natural and edible composition, Reben is a durable coating that is preferable to wallpaper. Its textured surface conveys a plasterlike richness, and it is available in a variety of textures, colors, and integrated natural grasses. Reben has no chemical glues or dyes that would negate its positive effects. [Contact: YDNY, New York / JPHome.net.]

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Kerrigan Architectural Tile

Kerrigan ceramic architectural tiles are the result of Chicago-based designer Bryan Kerrigan's methodical exploration of dimensionality and texture of the ceramic tile. Designed and manufactured using high-temperature-fired stoneware clay, the tiles are very durable for both interior and exterior applications in all climates.

Beginning his work with ceramics in the early nineties, Kerrigan developed pottery and sculpture with fluid, organic shapes. His experiments in ceramic art led to the development of hand-sculpted tiles for architectural applications. Noting the extent to which the subtlest alterations of plan and edge affected the dimension of the forms, Kerrigan embarked upon several years of thorough ceramics research in order to produce his current collection. [Contact: Bryan Kerrigan, Chicago, IL.]

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Friday, August 03, 2007

Clay Paint

Green Planet Paints offers a clay paint with soy-based resin. Soy replaces the acrylic ingredient used in most conventional paints, which is typically derived from petrochemical sources. Natural mineral and clay-based pigments are added to the soy resin, in addition to titanium dioxide, for odor and pollution absorption.

Clay Paint is offered in both residential and commercial lines. The "boutique" line consists of forty-three colors of flat paint. The commercial line is comprised by a wider range of colors in matte, satin, and semi-gloss finishes. [Contact: Green Planet Paints, Patagonia, AZ.]

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Fusionstone


The Fusionstone proprietary process involves ultra-clear glass permanently fused to exotic stone slabs to achieve superior surface protection while retaining and showcasing the beauty of natural stone. It eliminates adhesion lines, and the material appears entirely translucent from edge to edge. As a result, natural stone can be used in applications where it was once prohibited because intrusion of natural and chemical substances into porous marbles, sandstones, and limestones is completely prevented. LED lighting can also be integrated into Fusionstone for additional aesthetic enhancement. [Contact: Architectural Systems, Inc., New York.]

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