16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Primer for Innovative Materials, April 26, 2006
This review is from: Transmaterial: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine our Physical Environment (Paperback)
As a profession, architects and designers are obsessed with understanding and appreciating materials. When materials are better understood and better utilized, architects and designers typically produce better projects.
Recent innovations in material technology, design and use have come to the forefront of architectural design and have begun to question the very way in which we fabricate our built environments.
Blaine Brownell's recent book Transmaterial looks exclusively at recent material innovation in an attempt to "redefine our physical environment". Based upon Brownell's email digests and website of the same name, Transmaterial is a materials reference book subdivided into sections with material images, descriptions, and contact information for the products. The format is easily accessible, and the content is concise. Due to its ease of use and readability, the palette of materials available to the reader/designer/architect encourages current and future project introspection.
For example, why use just basic concrete when you could use translucent concrete instead? How about utilizing a collapsible, reusable textile brick system in lieu of a traditional stud and drywall partition for a project? The possibilities for integrating different, new, and innovative techniques are endless for almost any design project.
As evidence of the book's success, Brownell has already begun work on a follow-up to Transmaterial as more materials or innovations become readily available.
A resource such as Transmaterial provides more than just innovative materials for our use, but encourages potential for innovation for the environments that architects and designers create. While materials are a component of the overall design, the importance of their appropriate or innovative use is what can make or break a project. Transmaterial is the icebreaker to the typical office discussion of project materials as it proposes an alternate dialogue that is appropriate and desperately needed.
As a book, Transmaterial is limited in providing up-to-date material listings. Thus, the original email digests and website remain critical to Transmaterial's success.
While initially informative, Transmaterial lacks the necessary research and information in regards to material advantages and disadvantages, installation techniques and issues, and information relative to material costs. All of these factors need to be researched further for a respective project before they can be utilized for a project.
While Transmaterial begins a decent discussion for innovative materials that may be used for projects, it is up to architects and designers to take it upon themselves to carry on the discussion.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
treasure of inspiration, March 10, 2006
This review is from: Transmaterial: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine our Physical Environment (Paperback)
Although some of the items listed seem to be artist's projects that are in no way commercialized or buyable, this book is a treasure of inspiration and a good catalogue of new technologies.
It can make your project come true. I don't know how often it is put out, but I can imagine that it is very quickly outdated.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
good service, November 3, 2006
This review is from: Transmaterial: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine our Physical Environment (Paperback)
introductory book on materials. catalouge basically! no precise details. just brief information about surfaces
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