Transmaterial » interior

Portal

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:00:57 +0000

In architecture, a doorway represents the transition from one space to another. Portal visually displays this moment of transition as a two-dimensional plane penetrated by light. As viewers watch light pass through the diffuser screen, clean lines become blurred and diffuse. Designed by James Clar, Portal celebrates the concept of a spatial threshold with abstract lines of light that travel back and forth through a door, effectively “bouncing” around a room. In addition, an integrated motion sensor detects the presence of visitors and the emitters select a random color palette for the light.

Contact: Traffic Design Gallery, Dubai, UAE.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Screens

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:00:20 +0000

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 of a custom system. Screens can be used to divide space, provide privacy, or alter or protect from light.

Screens are available in Stainless Steel or in Forms+Surfaces’ proprietary Fused Metal material, each in multiple high-durability and standard finishes. Eco-Etch, an environmentally safe process of etching metal, can also be specified for additional visual enhancement. The Screens collection includes a growing number of decorative designs, each inspired by a different cultural or nature-inspired theme.

Contact: Forms+Surfaces, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Kraftplex

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:00:01 +0000

Kraftplex combines the characteristics of metal, composite materials and plastics. Comprised by 100% unbleached wood fibers with no added binders or adhesives, it is a stable, flexible and durably-shapeable metal akin to metal sheets. Because Kraftplex has electrically-isolating properties, it is a good alternative to conventional plastic sheeting. It is also flexible enough that 3D shaping via deep-drawing and edge-shaping are possible. Kraftplex may be easily cut, drilled, perforated, and adhered using common woodworking tools. It can also be treated with paints, varnishes, oils, waxes, and adhesives—as well as covered with decor film and printed.

Contact: Well Ausstellungssystem GmbH, Hannover, Germany.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Metal Series

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00:37 +0000

B.lab Italia’s “Metal Series” surfaces contain liquids infused with metal particles that are trapped within resilient a polymer shell. The result is an interactive floor tile or horizontal surface that responds to pressure as well as electric charge. Building occupants’ footsteps are temporarily recorded by the movement of fluids, and a high-level static charge will actually allow a prolonged “drawing” within the surface.

According to designers Gianfranco Barban and Gregg Brodarick, B-Surfaces Metal Surfaces are intended to transform movement into memory, appropriating the floor as a tool for creative expression. The liquids contained within B-Surfaces are non-toxic, and tiles should be laid on smooth horizontal surfaces for best effect.

Contact: B.lab Italia, Gallarate, Italy.
Find more information in Transmaterial 3.

Lumisty

Blaine Brownell — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:40 +0000

Lumisty first drew widespread attention when it was used on the windows of Pleats Please, Issey Miyake’s clothing boutique in SOHO.

Upon first encountering the product, people are often struck by what seems like an optical illusion. Walking past a window with Lumisty applied, a perfectly clear, transparent glass surface becomes partially fogged. Two or three steps later, the same window is completely fogged. As the viewer’s angle shifts, so does the transparency or translucency of the film.

Contact: Madico Inc. / GlassFilm Enterprises Inc., Woburn, MA, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Imagine Tile

Blaine Brownell — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:00:58 +0000

Imagine Tile, Inc. can take any two-dimensional image and incorporate it into the glaze of an incredibly vivid, commercially-rated ceramic tile. Imagine Tile uses a patented process which treats ceramic glazes like printing inks. Pure minerals and ores are ground micro-fine and suspended in a liquid to produce substances similar to printing inks. The mineral and ore-based image is printed and coated with a refractory material that creates a glass finish. Once the tile is fired at approximately 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit, the glazes fuse with the body of the tile. The result is a graphic and durable decorative tile.

Imagine Tile meets or exceeds ASTM standards for commercial floor and wall applications, and independent tests certify that the product is frost-proof, UV and chemical resistant, as well as ADA compliant. Moreover, Imagine Tile possesses a surface MOH rating of 7 or higher. The product is supplied with a five-year manufacturer warranty.

Contact: Imagine Tile, Inc., Bloomfield, NJ, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Fuzzy Light Switch

Blaine Brownell — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:00:15 +0000

International Fashion Machines provides private research and consulting in electronic textiles to a variety of clients, industries, and the military. They work with the latest electronic yarns and a variety of textile processes including embroidery, sewing, weaving and braiding. IFM also creates electronic textile connections, both intra-textile and between traditional electronics and textiles.

Designed by Maggie Orth, IFM’s Fuzzy Light Switches are woven and embroidered touch sensors for dimming lights or controlling electronic devices with the touch of a hand. IFM’s interactive textiles can cover a wall, control the lights in the room, or become part of the furniture.

Contact: International Fashion Machines, Seattle, WA, USA.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Foam

Blaine Brownell — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:00:09 +0000

OMA developed Foam as part of their work for Prada. In addition to the design of new spatial typologies, the development of new materials expands the interior palette of the new Prada epicenter stores. Ranging from translucent cast resin for shelves to bubble-textured silicone floor mats, the creation of a new substance called Foam manifests a radical redefinition of surface and material.

Foam is a polyurethane cast of an aggregate condition between solid and void. It is both a regular and irregular structure of sponge-like consistency that can be cast in stages from hard to soft, and from transparent to opaque. It forms a substance which can be used to build objects as well as entire spaces, a further interpretation of solid and void.

Foam was developed beginning with an architectural model using a regular cleaning sponge. Because the visual effect of this backlit texture was very intriguing, OMA initiated an extensive search to recreate this material in 1:1 scale. The architect made hundreds of prototypes in order to test hole sizes, percentages of openness, translucencies, depths, colors, etc.

In its multiple and varied manifestations, Foam offers a new definition of functional and visual properties between artificial and natural, irregular and regular, transparent and opaque, translucent and solid, flexible and rigid qualities in the design of interior environments.

Contact: Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Ply

Blaine Brownell — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:00:24 +0000

Ply is a sculptural wall-element made of birch wood harvested in Finland. At 0.45 mm thick, the textile-thin birch plywood layer is nearly translucent. This layer is adhered to a solid birch frame, which may be mounted to straight surfaces using a variety of methods.

Ply is available in two versions, the curvilinear Ply1 and the gentle wave profile Ply2. Mirror image tiles are also available to allow for continuous wave patterns. Ply may be assembled horizontally or vertically, and may be backlit for a dramatic effect. The standard surface is lacquered natural birch, but Ply may also be stained dark gray or natural white.

Contact: Showroom Finland Oy, Helsinki, Finland.
Find more information in Transmaterial.

Jagorta

Blaine Brownell — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:00:44 +0000

Jagorta is a wood veneer panel that transmits light. It consists of select veneers such as cherry, maple, or oak mounted to a translucent core with a specially developed adhesive.

As light passes through the thickness of the veneer, the natural surface structure of the wood is revealed. The panel transmits uniform light throughout the entire panel, without borders or joints. Suitable for a variety of interior applications, Jagorta is an effective mood lighting element that imparts a warmth reminiscent of a fireplace.

Contact: Jagorta Ltd., Kecskemét, Hungary.