Posts Tagged ‘exterior’

SITumbra

SITumbra is a passive solar facade system that mediates between the seasons to reduce solar heat gain in summer and allow useful solar transmission in the winter. The shading configuration can be customized to suit regional locations and seasons. Not only does the system reduce solar heat gain, but it...

October 14th, 2011 | feature, plastic | Read More

Adaptive Shading

For an architectural project located in a desert climate, Hoberman Associates was asked to design a roof covering for an open-air plaza. They created a kinetic design that works off an operable grid. In its covered configuration, the shading roof appears similar to a coffered ceiling; yet when retracted,...

September 16th, 2011 | feature, metals | Read More

Screens

Based on an increased interest in visually permeable surfaces, Forms+Surfaces has developed a line of sophisticated perforated metal called Screens. The Screens collection is intended to enable architects and designers to create a custom-designed look without the logistical or budgetary constraints typical...

September 2nd, 2011 | feature, metals | Read More

Eco-Cement

Developed by John Harrison of TecEco, Eco-Cement is made by blending reactive magnesium oxide with conventional hydraulic cements. Mimicking nature, Eco-Cement concretes absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in order to harden into materials used for the built environment. As Eco-Cements...

June 21st, 2011 | concrete, feature | Read More

Reynobond with EcoClean

Reducing air pollution by way of photocatalysis is not limited to concrete. Alcoa Architectural Products has recently partnered with Toto to develop a titanium dioxide coating for their exterior-grade aluminum panels. According to Alcoa, the hydrophobic coating is the world’s first coil-coated, smog-reducing...

May 20th, 2011 | feature, metals | Read More

SolPix

SolPix is a patented solar-powered media wall for medium- to large-scale installations in new construction or existing buildings. Developed by Simone Giostra, SolPix is a completely integrated system for power production and sun shading, and also acts as a digital screen. SolPix allows for dynamic content...

November 5th, 2010 | feature, metals | Read More

Litmuscreen

Jordan Geiger developed Litmuscreen as an architectural and product design material based on the performance and properties of litmus paper. Litmuscreen is a simple modification to an old technology—the adaptation of chemical properties found in lichen to indicate acid/base imbalances in a liquid....

September 10th, 2010 | feature, fiber | Read More

No-Limit Panels

Rubber pad–based metal forming is a technique developed by the aerospace industry. Metaalwarenfabriek Phoenix applies this technique to manufacture double curved sheet metal products for a variety of markets and industries. The advantage of rubber-pad forming is that only one mold is required, since...

June 25th, 2010 | feature, metals | Read More

KiloLux

KiloLux is a monolithic glass block with the appearance of a laminate produced by thermally bonding glass at low temperatures. Wales-based Innovative Glass Products Ltd. developed the material for inclusion in building facades as a light-emitting decorative element. Because no adhesive is used to manufacture...

May 28th, 2010 | feature, glass | Read More

Element

Hycrete’s Element is an environmentally friendly admixture that integrally waterproofs concrete used in commercial construction. Certified Cradle-to-Cradle by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC (MBDC), Element eliminates the need for external membranes typically used to waterproof concrete,...

March 19th, 2010 | concrete, feature | Read More