Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment [Paperback]

Blaine Brownell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1568987226 | ISBN-13: 978-1568987224 | Edition: 1

As the speed of technological progress continues to accelerate, innovation threatens to outpace architects' and designers' working knowledge of materials, thereby limiting their applicability. In order to stay at the cutting edge of design, a knowledge of the uses, properties, and sources of new materials is essential. A sequel to the critically acclaimed and best-selling book Transmaterial, Transmaterial 2 is a clear, concise, accessible, and carefully edited resource that provides information about the latest and most intriguing materials commercially available.

Based on a compilation of Blaine Brownell's "product of the week" electronic journal, Transmaterial 2includes more than two hundred materials and is indexed in multiple ways for maximum convenience. An excellent ideas generator, Transmaterial 2 is an indispensable tool for any architect or designer looking to keep up with the current trends in the field of materials.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you think youve seen it all when it comes to concrete construction, then you havent sat down with Blaine Brownell. " -- Building Design & Construction

"Entries in the book are organized by a products materiality, in straightforward categories such as concrete, wood, glass, plastic, light, and digital." --Architects Magazine

About the Author

Blaine Brownell is an architect, materials researcher, and sustainable building advisor whose work has been widely published and exhibited. He is the author of Transmaterial and the editor of the online materials forum Transstudio. He is also the recipient of a Fulbright fellowship to Japan for 2006-2007.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press; 1 edition (January 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568987226
• ISBN-13: 978-1568987224
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Blaine Brownell is an architect, author, educator, and former Fulbright scholar. He earned a B.A. in Architecture with a Certificate in East Asian Studies at Princeton University in 1992, and a Master in Architecture from Rice University in 1998. He worked with Yung-Ho Chang, Mark Wamble, and NBBJ before establishing the design/research practice Transstudio, which focuses on disruptive material applications and emergent environmental building strategies. Brownell is considered one of the preeminent scholars of advanced materials for architecture and design, having authored the Transmaterial series with Princeton Architectural Press (2006-2010), in addition to an online material catalog that has been likened to "a 21st Century version of The Grammar of Ornament." Brownell has been published in over forty design, business, and science journals, and has lectured widely in North America, Europe, and Japan. He was selected for a "40 Under 40" award by Building Design & Construction magazine in 2006, and Transmaterial was nominated for an International Book Award by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2007. Brownell was a visiting research fellow at the Tokyo University of Science as a Fulbright recipient (2006-07), and has taught at the University of Michigan (2007-08) and the University of Minnesota (2008-present).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brownell helps bring it all together, August 1, 2008

By 

T. Peterson "design junkie" (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment (Paperback)

Transmaterial II is a great catalog of the new materials and combinations of older ones for quick reference. It is thought provoking with succinct descriptions of products Brownell has come across in his research. Most of these products and materials are cataloged by single manufacturers, which is usually the only manufacturer as these are all innovative designs. Applicable to many industries, the book is laid out in sections: 01 Concrete, 02 Mineral, 03 Metal, 04 Wood, 05 Plastic + Rubber, 06 Glass, 07 Paint + Paper, 08 Fabric, 09 Light, and 10 Digital. One page per product with MasterFormat reference, pictures, synopsis, and an easy-to-follow rundown of product characteristics and contact info. Brownell came to lecture at my school and is quite thought-provoking and long-sighted. Great reference for any design student or professional. Can't wait 'til the next edition.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, March 20, 2008

By 

Designer "Green Gal" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment (Paperback)

Cannot recommend this book highly enough - it does a great job of finding cool, interesting, ground breaking materials and then providing information on how to source them. A must-have reference for any designer, interior designer or architect who prides themselves on staying abreast of cutting-edge materials. (And since materials are the palette of the designer this book will go a long way to keeping you on the leading edge of design as well.) Not to be missed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew?, November 2, 2008

By 

Jill Mackay "jillmackay.com" (Pittsburgh, PA for the moment) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment (Paperback)

As a designer I try to stay up on the evolution of products and new and developing products. As quickly as technology is moving and changing this is a huge and massive task. That is why when I came across this book I purchased it...and it did not disappoint! WoW. I like the lay out too, one or two pages per product and description...a couple are obviously not in mass production and widely available but most are. Love this book.