Transmaterial

Mirror Duct System

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:32 +0000

A significant portion of building construction is made of opaque or light-reducing materials that require artificial lighting. Not only does artificial lighting expend the use of energy and materials, but it also adds to the heating load of structures and requires more cooling during the summer months. Mirror Duct System attempts to solve this problem by extending natural light deep within interior spaces. In contrast to conventional light shelves and larger window openings, which increase daylight but remain relatively shallow and do not eliminate glare, Mirror Duct System thoroughly controls and diffuses light throughout its path into a building. At first glance the system resembles traditional HVAC ductwork, except that it is clad internally with highly reflective aluminum mirrors that extend light as much as sixty feet inside a structure.

Developed by Tokyo-based Material House, Mirror Duct System is a completely passive technology that contributes to CO2 reduction by decreasing electric power usage for lighting as well as the additional cooling often required. Natural daylight has been shown to create a more comfortable environment and inhibits mold growth in interior kitchens and bathrooms.

Contact: Material House, Tokyo, Japan.
Find more information in Transmaterial 2.

Kiln Glass Textures

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:29 +0000

Preferred for its ability to deliver transparency and views, glass has typically been appreciated for its ability to nearly disappear; its use in modern commercial applications may be described to be anonymous. Recently, however, glass has been examined and researched for its ability to obscure, refract, and hold light with integrated textures, colors, and shapes. In this way, glass has become increasingly imbued with identity.

Vancouver-based Joel Berman Glass Studios produces kiln cast glass panels with a variety of textures and surface treatments. Designed for interior and exterior applications, Kiln Glass Textures obscure views while transmitting light through exotic and sophisticated surface patterns. Like board-formed cast-in-place concrete, Kiln Glass Textures carries impressions of other materials; however, the source of the forming materials used in these hand-crafted pieces is not often apparent.

Contact: Joel Berman Glass Studios, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Find more information in Transmaterial 2.

Catalyst

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:00:30 +0000

As the early alchemists sought to turn common lead into precious gold and silver, Lamin-Art’s catalyst material transforms common HPL into a versatile and durable decorative surface with a notable luster. The Catalyst collection features a hand-crafted, spiral-etched dimensional finish that re-creates the brilliance and texture of brushed metal. Unlike real metallic surfaces, however, Catalyst boasts the scratch and dent resistance properties of high-pressure decorative laminate, making the surface virtually maintenance-free.

Catalyst meets NEMA standards for abrasion and scratch resistance, making it suitable for use on both horizontal and vertical surfaces requiring high visual impact and enhanced durability. In addition, the Alchemy Collection lays-up and fabricates the very same way as any other high-pressure decorative laminate, and won’t wear tools or saw blades.

Contact: Lamin-Art, Schaumburg, IL, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

EVA Collection

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:00:31 +0000

EVA is a common hot-melt adhesive or hot glue. Tony Wurman has developed several proprietary techniques for working with this material to give it the reflective and refractive qualities of glass, but with the modulation of rubber and longevity of plastic.

In their explorations, Wunderwurks Design has been able to create objects using traditional techniques found in glass or ceramics design which would normally be cost prohibitive in those materials. The EVA Collection represents the fulfillment of a mission to transform a common industrial product into a new art and design medium.

Contact: Wunderwurks Design, New York, NY, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Tropical Veneer Collection

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:00:56 +0000

Tropical Veneer Collection consists of handcrafted veneer materials from South America, featuring rapidly renewable and commonly occurring materials, such as coconut and totumo shell, plantain bark, tagua seed, and pearlstone. These products are combined with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and resins to create stable panels. Different colored resins can be used to contribute additional dimensions and colors, and several materials can be used in combination to produce striking designs for wall applications, doors, furniture, and decorative elements.

Contact: Architectural Systems, Inc., New York, NY, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 2.

DoubleFace

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:00:26 +0000

DoubleFace is a semi-transparent fabric with one side comprised of stainless steel and the other made of polyester. This hybrid quality allows the creation of particular light effects with reflective metal offset by a colored background.

DoubleFace is highly drapable and can be molded around various objects. The fabric is ideal for exhibition booths, as well as residential, commercial, or institutional applications. Based on its corrosion and oxidation resistance, DoubleFace may also be used in naval applications.

Contact: Texe srl – INNTEX Div., Firenze, Italy.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Found Space Tiles

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:00:13 +0000

Found Space Tiles transform the common into the uncommon. Designers Stephanie Davidson and Georg Rafailidis developed the tiles after seeking greater possibilities within a conventional tiled surface. Much like appropriating found objects, these tiles are made using the found spaces between bodies and architectural surfaces, turned into positive forms. The resulting tiles are a formal hybrid between two very necessary and basic architectural elements—the body and the wall. Part body and part wall, the tiles echo the presence of a person, a posture, and literally reach-out to be touched.

Made in posture and/or body-specific clusters, the tiles are designed in standard finished dimensions, intended to be incorporated into inexpensive, 15 x 15 cm tiled surfaces.

Contact: Touchy-Feely, Berlin, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Planium

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:00:10 +0000

The Gage Planium stainless-steel floor system is a high-tech flooring solution designed for maximum durability and ease of installation. The installation of the patented system eliminates the need for adhesives, cements, or grout. First, a rubber underlayment is installed over any existing level floor. Planium tiles are then aligned to the rubber underlayment and screwed into the integrated blocking plate at the four corners of each tile. The embossed stainless-steel finish was specifically designed to prevent traffic wear.

Planium tiles are only 0.28 inch (7 mm) thick, 23.6 x 23.6 inches (60 x 60 cm), and the reveals are 0.28 inch (7 mm) wide. The rubber underlayment and reveals come in standard black, but custom colors are also available.

Contact: Gage Corporation, Sparta, WI, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 2.

Placage

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:00:02 +0000

Placage is a bespoke wood veneer collection, available in five striped patterns, from subtle to vibrant, in varying widths. Made from wood veneer with MDF or Placorex backing, this ASI Wood Panel product offers several striking design choices in two panel sizes, and is perfect for all millwork applications including store fixtures, furniture and feature walls.

Contact: Architectural Systems, Inc., New York, NY, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Organics

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:00:20 +0000

To make Organics, 3form laminates various organic materials between sheets of partially recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) obtained from postindustrial sources. The company collaborates closely with artisans in Nepal, Vietnam, and Indonesia to select and process materials such as bamboo and banana fibers. These materials are first prepared using techniques such as mud drying and thin, linear slicing to create various colors and shapes. These fibers are then incorporated between panels of Ecoresin, which is comprised of 40 percent recycled content.

Contact: 3form, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial 2.