ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers - (Page 30) Innovative Today’s—and tomorrow’s—groundbreaking materials offer endless BY JENNY S. REBHOLZ, ALLIED MEMBER ASID “FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION.” AS A DESIGNER, THIS MANTRA IS PART OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION. IN AN EXAMINATION OF THE CURRENT STATE OF INNOVATIVE MATERIALS, THIS PHRASE CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE DESIGN COMMUNITY. WHILE THE UNDERLYING THEME OF SUSTAINABILITY DRIVES MUCH OF THE CURRENT SEARCH FOR GROUNDBREAKING MATERIALS (I.E., THE FUNCTION), THE DESIGN COMMUNITY ACKNOWLEDGES THE NEED TO ONCE AGAIN PROMOTE THE FORM, AESTHETIC AND INHERENT BEAUTY OF THE PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS USED. HIGH DESIGN DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LOST IN A GREEN WORLD AND TODAY’S PRODUCT DESIGNERS AND INNOVATIVE THINKERS ARE TAKING FORM AND FUNCTION TO NEW LEVELS. THEY ARE COMMITTED TO THE EMOTION, THE COLOR, THE IMPACT—THE BEAUTY OF MATERIALS. MUCH OF THE SUCCESS OF INNOVATIVE MATERIALS DEPENDS UPON THE DESIGN COMMUNITY, HOWEVER. DESIGNERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE INGENIOUS MATERIALS AVAILABLE AND FULLY EXPLORE THE CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES OF THESE MATERIALS. Thinking Outside the Box Companies like Material ConneXion and RobinReigi specialize in identifying innovative materials and are dedicated to introducing the design community to the possibilities of these materials. With a sustainable mindset guiding the industry, numerous manufacturers are also investing in research and development programs of their own, in order to discover the latest and greatest innovative materials and technologies. Some of the current innovations, according to Andrew H. Dent, Ph.D., vice president of Library and Materials Research for Material ConneXion, are in the form of coatings and adhesives—improvements that can’t necessarily be seen. Developments in coatings are essential to improving the performance of materials while maintaining the inherent beauty of products such as stainless steel and bamboo. The newest coatings, with reduced VOC emissions, also help to improve the overall impact of products on the environment. LightPoints by Schott, seen here in the railings and elevators of the La Maladière shopping mall in Switzerland, utilize a polymer film to power LEDs within the glass’ glazing. 30 ASID ICON | THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS Advancements in material technology also include antibacterial coated textiles and textile surfaces with extended antibacterial properties, ideal for contract installations. The manufacturers of these textiles can offer reports that show the specific bacterial killing properties— particularly relevant when specifying these materials for health care projects. While the function has significant impact, the aesthetic is not ignored—a range of color and texture options are available, along with endless custom capabilities. Dent also references coatings and fabric treatments now being created in Germany, which can actually eliminate odors, such as those from dogs or cigarette smoke. “An unseen material can make a big difference,” comments Dent. “The glues, resins and treatments that you don’t see can have great impact.” Lighting experts are also exploring new ground, using lighting as a “material,” with the characteristics of LEDs helping light find its way SCHOTT
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