News Archives | Materials
Paper Softwall
The Paper Softwall is a dynamic freestanding wall that can be transformed into any shape or form. The partition not only creates a sense of separate space but can also be used as a sculptural backdrop. The paper softwall is made from 400 layers of honeycombed translucent white paper that absorbs light and gives off an inner luminosity. This product is designed and distributed by Molo.
Tuesday | 3 May 2005 | #
Digital fabrication
The Acadia AIA-TAP 2004 Fabrication conference drew architects, environmental and industrial designers, software developers, engineers, and manufacturers to discuss how emerging industrial processes might reshape building design and construction.
Wednesday | 30 March 2005 | #
Polyurethane fiber composite
A polyurethane fiber composite developed by Bayer Material Science is being applied to the automotive industry.
The manufacture of a lightweight sandwich component made of polyurethane fiber composite materials involves spraying a package consisting of a light honeycomb core (e.g. cardboard) and two fiber outer layers on both sides with the heat-activated 2-component polyurethane system Baypreg F and compressing it in a compression mold at approximately 130 °C. This enables components to be manufactured with weights of significantly less than three kilograms per square meter, i.e. up to 60 percent lighter than corresponding components made of conventional materials such as wood or sheet metal.
See full article: “Greater Freedom of Design and Improved Component Quality”
Time may tell if this has an impact (no pun intended) in the construction materials industry.
Wednesday | 16 March 2005 | #
ButtHanger
You’ll probably chuckle at the name, but the ButtHanger is a simple tool for helping to finish drywall joints while minimizing cut-off waste and joint compound.
Wednesday | 16 March 2005 | #
James Carpenter
Dichroic Light Field
The work of James Carpenter challenges accepted technological applications and artistic perceptions by using glass in new ways.
Glass is the only material that allows you to explore the natural phenomena of light—such as reflection, refraction, luminosity and transparency—as they influence architecture
Architects will employ more laminated glass because of the opportunities to include various films and prismatic devices to make our windows ‘work harder’ in terms of energy efficiency and daylighting. I believe that the research currently taking place into daylighting and its importance to productivity gains and people’s general feelings of well-being is just the tip of the iceberg; daylighting will become even more important to architects in the next century than it is today.
Read the full article James Carpenter: Exploring the Dramatic Inter-Relationships of Glass and Light
Thursday | 3 March 2005 | #
Fiber cement siding
From standard to fancy, it’s basically the same - fiber cement siding with a range of integral colors, finishes, textures, sizes, and attachment systems.
Thursday | 17 February 2005 | #
Concrete finishing
Retro Plate offers diamond grinding and chemical treatment of concrete to produce a hard-wearing, beautiful, and affordable (starting at $3/square foot) floor. Used in conjunction with acid-etched or integral color structural or topping slabs, the finished effect approximates terrazzo. Colored aggregates such as Terr-Con Flooring Systems are available from LPL Enterprises, Inc.
Special thanks to Jonathan Glick for bringing these products to our attention.
Thursday | 17 February 2005 | #
Big blocks!
Just like kindergarten, now you can play with the big blocks.
Structures USA, Inc. has come up with GigaCrete, a lightweight concrete which is one-fourth the weight of conventional concrete and five times stronger that does not use Portland cement as the binder, allowing large prefabricated units.
Special thanks to Agustin Bonta for bringing this product to our attention.
Thursday | 17 February 2005 | #
Amorphous Steel
Scientists at the University of Virginia have discovered a method of mass-producing what is termed ‘amorphous steel’.
The team was recognized in the 2004 Scientific American 50 Award: Research Leaders, noting that amorphous steel differs from regular steel by “…adding the element yttrium, which discourages crystallization as the molten steel solidifies. The metal can then be cast in molds or shaped in the same way plastic can.”
Let’s cross our fingers that this doesn’t end up in a ‘better’ bomb.
Monday | 29 November 2004 | #
Agriboard panel
Agriboard panel is a structural insulated composite panel of TimberStrand frames and OSB (oriented strand board) sheathing with kraft paper-faced straw insulation yielding an R-value of 25.4. The advantage of factory-built panels allows ease of customization in a controlled environment with reduced on-site labor expense for erection.
Monday | 22 November 2004 | #
Kirei board
Kirei board is fabricated from sorghum stalks, a reclaimed agricultural fiber. Sorghum is, like bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource and used to make flour and molasses. See some beautiful photos and information of millet and sorghum harvesting in Africa.
Kirei board is easily cut and finished, may be used for sound absorption, and is useful for cabinetry, furniture, paneling, flooring, and interior partitions. The adhesives used to bind the sorghum stalks have no formaldehyde emissions and satisfy LEED criteria for indoor air quality and renewable materials, among others. I think it smells nice, too!
Friday | 12 November 2004 | #
Gypsum Panels
Gypsum panels for continuous sculptural surfaces by Modular Arts.
Sunday | 29 August 2004 | #
Swell Panels by Snowcrash
The Swell panels are designed to be used as lightweight sound absorbers in the upper frequency range (500 Hz and above). They are well suited to eliminate disturbing reflections of environmental voice sounds, telephones and computer disk drives etc. They can also be used to improve privacy in an open work area such as a modern office space or a restaurant.
Friday | 23 July 2004 | #
Translucent Concrete
LiTraCon is a concrete stone-block that turns out to be light conducting through its embedded glass fibers. From one side to the other light passes the stone without any significant loss and illuminates the darker side of the stone. Shadows are transmitted and shown in precise shapes on the opposite surface.
Monday | 12 July 2004 | #