Materials Research

Materials understanding is becoming more directly linked to architectural practice and to architectural education. Large-scale mock ups, prototypes of portions of assemblies, and design-build academic programs connect design decisions to understanding specific material properties. Tactile and visual qualities of a material are but a small fraction of the information regarding building materials that is available to and useful to designers and students. This paper investigates existing material classification systems, varied reliable sources of information, and some on going materials investigations and encourages educators and building designers to be more familiar with the implications of their material decisions as we design for an increasingly changing world.We see our materials database and research projects as a bridge that connects students with area professionals on matters of innovative materials and sustainable materials. We receive little internal funding and therefore must seek grants for particular research projects. We have completed an analysis across twenty sustainable criteria for eight material applications for a new day care building. This work allowed the architects and building owner to select the materials that best aligned with project’s specific sustainability priorities. We are currently completing a carbon analysis for an office building under construction and tracking the carbon emissions used in the construction of the building including: manufacturing and transportation of building materials, waste, on site energy, and transportation of workers. This analysis will allow the developer client to be more strategic with carbon emissions for future projects.We have also documented and cataloged building materials made within 500 miles of our city in order to serve as a resource to area professionals doing work in the area. We have also recently completed a database of local manufacturers and fabricators; this is a valuable resource to our students as well as area architects and designers.Additional programs that connect students with area professionals include: monthly materials newsletters, lectures, exhibits, and tours of local manufacturing sites. Part of our mission is to get students excited to know more about building materials and their visual and tactile qualities. We also know that we have a responsibility to increase their technical understanding of materials and the implications of their material choices on this fragile environment.

Volume Editors
Anthony Abbate, Francis Lyn & Rosemary Kennedy

ISBN
978-0-935502-90-9