Materials Lab

This Saturday we are opening our doors for Explore UT! Kids of all ages are invited to explore workshops and presentations across the university. We look forward to this event every year, and are thrilled to host a workshop on hand weaving. Participants will use simple looms to create a take-home piece made from renewable materials. Two sessions, geared towards kiddos under 12, will take place from 12:00 - 12:40 and 2:00 - 2:40pm in the Materials Lab, WMB 3.102. We also welcome visitors to swing by between 11am - 3pm to explore our current collection of woven materials on display, or to browse our library of 29,000 material samples. Check out the full Explore UT program in the link in bio! — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2TETMax

This week we highlight metal mesh materials from our current exhibition, Woven. Metal doesn't always come to mind when considering woven products, but the collection features several examples made from stainless steel, aluminum, bronze and brass. Pictured here are three variations: the plain weave (with vertical warp yarns and horizontal weft yarns interlaced in a basic crisscross pattern), the leno weave (wherein two warp yarns are twisted tightly around the weft), and the twill weave (which has a diagonal movement created by offset sequencing). Swing by the Materials Lab to check out the collection in person, and explore more wovens made of glass and carbon fibers, plastics, wool, bamboo and beyond. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2I9TqUh

Next week, David Escobedo and Adam Pyrek visit the Materials Lab to discuss Escobedo Group's approach to prefabrication: panelization. DARIO Panelized includes systems-integrated floor, wall, and roof panels constructed in-house and off-site. "DARIO Panelized allows us to build better, faster, more efficiently, with less material waste and less impact on the environment." Join us for a lunch ‘n learn next Wednesday, March 4th, from 12:00 - 12:45pm to learn more. Reserve your spot via the link in bio! (📷: Escobedo Group) — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/393CavF

Our is lit! Literally. Optical fibers are woven together with silk, cashmere, wool and linen to create luminous textiles. Applications include interior surfaces such as partitions and wall coverings, and even battery-powered apparel. View the material up close at WOVEN, a diverse collection of over 60 material products made of plain, twill, satin, leno, and jacquard weaves. Join us for an opening reception this Wednesday, 2/26, from 12 - 1pm for free coffee, Tiff's treats, and mingling! (📷: ) — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/37WwBhc

Coming up next week: Geodesic Foliations, a hands-on workshop that explores a multidisciplinary approach to fabricating three-dimensional surfaces through weaving. The workshop will be led by Luisa Fandino (UT Division of Textiles and Apparel), and Josh Vekhter (UT Computer Science Department) and takes place Thursday, February 27, from 2 - 5pm in the Materials Lab. Participants will work collaboratively to create a temporary installation of interwoven, double-sided panels using wood veneer ribbons. Spots are limited, RSVP via the link in bio! — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/3bZ4HnS

Mini material grants are back! If there's a new material or fabrication strategy you'd like to try in Spring 2020, we encourage you to apply for one of three awards, up to $300. The application process is quick, and open through March 29. Please note that grant awards are limited to students at the UT School of Architecture. For more information, visit soa.utexas.edu/events/spring-2020-material-grants. (📷: AAC, autoclaved aerated concrete) — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2V4GA1d

Our is rigid wood fiber insulation board. Unlike rigid foam insulation made from extruded polystyrene (XPS), low density fiberboard (LDF) is renewable, biodegradable, v***r diffusion permeable, and can be carbon negative. GUTEX Ultratherm, shown here, is a roof insulation product with tongue and groove edges that creates a rain and wind-tight system that is so durable it can serve as temporary roofing for up to three months. Ultratherm is made from 95% softwood fibers, mixed with polyurethane binder and protected by paraffin wax. Though most wood fiber insulation production is currently located in Europe, companies such as Maine-based GO Labs are hoping to begin production in the U.S. soon. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2SBpVkk

: UT Energy Week! Hosted at the UT Etter-Harbin Alumni Center February 17 - 21, this annual event is free for all UT students, faculty, and staff. Energy Week will feature numerous panel discussions and networking opportunities on a diverse set of topics related to the global energy industry. Of special interest for material fanatics, a panel on Tuesday afternoon will discuss energy-important minerals needed to make batteries (lithium, cobalt, nickel), solar cells (gallium, indium) and wind turbines (aluminum, copper). Find out more at energyweek.utexas.edu (📷: Jeffrey Phillips) — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/39s11Jl

This week we feature holographic paper, a composite paperboard with hypnotic visual effects. There's no limit to the pattern or image that can be conveyed; a technique called holographic origination reproduces anything from photographic imagery to faux-metal textures, to cheetah print. Holographic paper is made of two or more thin layers of material. Envirofoil, by Hazen Paper Co, minimizes the number of layers, and is made from recycled paper coated with a minimal amount of aluminum. The paper is first sculpted at a microscopic level through embossing. Aluminum, heated to its gaseous state, is then applied in a thin coat to the surface of the paperboard. The metalized, embossed surface scatters light in a tightly controlled way, creating a holographic effect. Other holographic papers use embossed foils, layered with printed polyester film, adhered to a paper substrate. When light hits the three dimensional foil surface it refracts through the transparency, creating a holographic pattern. Both methods start with a digital file, converted through proprietary software to produce the laser-etched 3-D surfaces that manipulate the refraction of light hitting reflective surfaces. Who knew that paper could be so high tech? — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2ShWZxv

Announcing our first event of the semester! Join Daniel Reyes, founder of Fungi International, for a hands-on workshop that explores the potential of mycelium materials in the built environment. Participants will learn how to grow lightweight volumes using three fungi species: oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus), reishi (Ganoderma tsugae), and tiger sawgill (Lentinus tigrinus). The event will take place on February 6, from 11am - 1pm in the Materials Lab. Spots are limited; RSVP via the link in bio. (📷: ) — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2Ue88k2

Our final featured material (of the decade!) is Green Cell Foam, a bio-based, closed-cell foam made from USA-grown, non-GMO cornstarch. The product is water soluble, biodegradable, and backyard compostable - and production results in an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared to petroleum-based foams. Green Cell Foam is similar in composition to starch-based packing peanuts, but is available in sheets of 1/4" to 1/2" thick, which are corrugated for additional stability and cushioning. As the holidays approach, be mindful of your packaging options! The material is included in our ongoing Rapidly Renewable Grasses collection - come check it out before we close for winter break, this Thursday. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2LFvfyW

to our Lunch 'n Learn presentation by in October! For those who couldn't make it, Casey was kind enough to answer some questions for a post. Asked how her relationship to materials has changed since the founding of her eponymous design-build firm in 2004, she says, "it's about using fewer of them, and not using materials that aren't necessary - not overbuilding, or overengineering a system." To achieve this, she stresses the importance of collaboration: "that's another reason why having a roundtable of designers...and communication between all fields is really important." Citing climate change as a critical issue that drives her work, she continues, "the ecological footprint of construction is so huge...anything we can do to really pay attention to where our materials are coming from and how they're recycled back into the system after they've had their life span." Though Casey cites her day-to-day materials as "my babies, water and plants," during our lunch 'n learn she brought along a number of green roof material products for a dynamic show-and-tell (pictured). — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/35pQqfP

Congratulations to our Fall 2019 Material Grant winners! Earlier this week, our faculty jury selected three projects to receive funding for further material investigation: Stella (pictured) will be exploring the use of malleable materials in performative lighting; Zeke and Lucas will test "uncomfortably scaled space" with cast latex and silicon; and Tristan will be exploring the modular possibilities of mycelium. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/33xpVoj

This week's featured material is honeycomb, used as a core component in sandwich composite constructions. Lightweight and surprisingly strong, honeycomb owes its structural efficiency to a simple cellular geometry that resists forces equally from all directions - making it an ideal choice for applications in aerospace structures, automobiles, building panels, and wind turbines. Honeycomb can be fabricated from a variety of materials, including aluminum and fiberglass, but the products shown here have meta-aramid and para-aramid cores coated with heat-resistant phenolic resin. The production process for these materials is unique: paper-thin fiber sheets are first laminated together, using carefully placed glue lines that determine the honeycomb cell sizes. Once the honeycomb before expansion (HOBE) is formed, rods are inserted into side pockets to pull the sheets apart. A HOBE block 3 - 4" in thickness can expand to around 96”, depending on its final application. The structure is then stablized, coated with resin, and can be formed and/or machined into custom shapes. Honeycomb panels are typically available in panel sizes of 48”x96” - 60”x144”, in thicknesses of 1/16”- 6”. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2p34bS9

Have a compelling material in mind for a studio, seminar, or independent study project? Would some extra funding help make your idea a reality? This semester, three material grants of up to $500 are available to students at the School of Architecture. If you have a project that could benefit from material or fabrication assistance, we encourage you to apply. Find more information, and the application, at soa.utexas.edu/headlines/fall-2019-material-grants. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-semester opportunity! Applications due October 31. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2AW7SLT

The global continues this week. Curious to know more about local initiatives from the City of Austin? Join us for a lunch 'n learn next Wednesday, October 2nd, for a presentation from Marc Coudert, the Environmental Conservation Program Manager at the Office of Sustainability. He'll be speaking about the city's Community Climate Plan - in support of the city's goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 - as well as our Climate Resilience Action Plan. RSVP via the link in bio. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2l9raZR

Every Friday, a group of students gathers at the UT Tower in solidarity with youth around the world protesting climate change. Though they're a small bunch, they grow in numbers each week. Next Friday, you can join them for the that precedes the UN Climate Change summit in New York. will meet at the UT Tower at 11:30am on September 20th, in advance of a march to the Texas State Capitol. The calls on participants of all ages and backgrounds - architecture firms and individuals can pledge their support with . — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/32Q44YH

Happy Friday, y'all! In addition to our 28,000+ materials, the Materials Lab has a great selection of books that's always growing. Pictured here are some new favorites - swing by to browse or borrow. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2ZPIANo

We're still reminiscing about all the fun we had at last month's conductive screen printing workshop! The event was held at the screen printing lab at the UT Art Building and began with an introduction by Materials Lab researcher Alex, who shared the touch lamp prototypes he designed - followed by a demonstration of the print process by . Participants then split into groups and screenprinted their own touch lamps onto a sheet of cardstock. Once dry, we installed light up boards and cold soldered them in place with conductive ink pens (pictured). The result is a simple light that dims with proximity! What applications can you find for conductive ink? Comment your favorite below! — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2UTFGRj

With final reviews just a few weeks away, some students are diving deeper into materials. Jennie, an interior design student, visited the Materials Lab last week to develop her vertical studio project - an interpretation of an unbuilt Mies Van Der Rohe house. “We built models, and we are now taking that house and converting it to a mixed use space for work and leisure activities," she said. The building—which would have been built in 1932— will be sited in East Austin and house non-profit offices, an art gallery, work spaces, and a cafe. Jennie described the intent behind her material selection, in progress: “I’m [tying together] the connection to nature and unifying the spaces with the material and the flooring. I have a curtain design that’s going to tie in the colors.” — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2VZWLKK

Need some materials for your upcoming final project? Reuse some of the existing cardboard, chipboard, and wood in the Materials Exchange, located in the Technology Lab in the basement of Sutton Hall. There are also a variety of materials that are free to take in the Materials Lab (pictured). As the end of the semester approaches, remember to minimize the amount of material you're using for studio and turn in any excess. Mobile Material Exchange carts will be deployed in several studios for the end-of-semester sweep. How are you reducing waste during the final weeks of the school year? Comment below! — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2VTNJ1O

This week's is next week's workshop material: ink. Infused with graphite and other metals, conductive ink can be applied to a variety of surfaces to create electrical circuits. Conductive ink minimizes the need for wiring, and allows for flat, graphic circuits. We'll be screenprinting switches and sensors to create dimmable paper lamps, activated by touch or proximity. RSVP for your spot next Tuesday, 5:30pm, at the Department of Art! — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2I84m6R

This Thursday is our Compressed Earth Block (CEB) workshop, and there are two times to choose from! ✌️ From our workshop leader Jim Hallock, of Colorado Earth: "[CEBs are] a structurally sound, plentiful, local building material that’s fireproof, bug-proof, soundproof, bulletproof, and breathable. This isn’t some goofy hippy sh*t from the ’60s.”☀️ Workshop participants will learn how to select a proper soil mix, fabricate a block using an onsite CEB machine, and build a simple arch. Seats are limited and fill up fast! RSVP for your preferred session (11:00 - 12:30, or 3:30 - 5:00) in the 🚨 Pictured: Kindergarten Oranienburg-Eden, Germany (Gernot Minke with Tobias Weyhe) — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2HFPs7t

Pam Peltz works in the admissions office here at UT, and on her lunch break she explores materials around campus. "I just go walking, and maybe I have a general destination in mind, like a certain building on campus” Peltz said. “Then I usually wait to take pictures until I turn a corner or tilt my head and I see things lining up in a way that I find beautiful or interesting.” We love her dedication to acknowledging her surrounding environment and materials! Pictured is her photo of the Dorothy L. Gebauer building (GEB). In honor of , we've done a photo walk of our own. A tiny courtyard beside Gebauer. Blink and you’ll miss it. photo — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2VKBjsL

Kambui Olujimi: Zulu Time, an exhibition at the Blantom Museum of Art, showcases a wide range of material mediums from Brooklyn-native Olujimi. The show explores hidden power structures and hierarchies in today's world. Materials used by Olujimi include wheat pastings, blown glass, rubber inner tubes, wooden pallets, and found objects. Check out the exhibit before it closes July 14, you won't want to miss it. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2GUGJOC

Here's a photo of one of our participants having a blast at our Wet Felting Workshop last month. We love to help students - it's one of the best ways to put a smile on your face. Want to join in on the fun? Stay tuned for upcoming workshops: compressed earth blocks (at the end of March) and screen printing with conductive ink (in mid April). — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2TilITE

3D Fiberglass Fabric from Parabeam is a lightweight, rigid composite material with a hollow core used in aerospace, automotive, and sports industries. The material is made primarily of braided fiberglass; each sheet of woven fiber contains a structural core made from vertically braided "pillars". The fabrication process is adopted from that used in velvet weaving - substituting fiberglass in place of mohair. Once woven, the fiberglass is impregnated with thermoset resin, giving it the resiliency required for industries that rely on high-strength, insulative, impact-resistant, acoustically dampening and/or weight-bearing materials. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2SXpYIS

In March 2018, ICON and their non-profit partner, New Story, built the first-ever “permitted, 3D-printed home in America” - right here in Austin. ICON’s goal is to use their portable 3D printer to produce 600-ft x 800-ft homes at the rate of one per day, for less than $4,000, in order to make an impact on affordable housing shortages in the U.S. and beyond. To learn more about the inspiring collaboration that brought forth 3D-printed homes in Austin, meet Dmitri Julius (director of sales and operations) at our Lunch n’ Learn next Wednesday (2/27) at noon. RSVP today to get your spot and a free lunch ( )! See you there! — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2XbI7RA

Keenan Smith designs buildings and communities in his small collaborative studio and consulting practice, City Lights Design Alliance, near Dripping Springs, Texas. “As a practicing architect, I design with materials in a place-appropriate way, so that new projects fit in to their individual sites and contexts,” says Smith. His days are often spent working with the people in his community, doing “design review and consulting on a ‘case’ basis” for the City of Dripping Springs, where he has helped to create design standards. “This small city, known as ‘The Gateway to the Hill Country’ adopted exterior designs architectural standards ordinances which require the use of particular architectural materials. Much of Dripping Springs’ architectural character arises from the historic use and craftsmanship surrounding native stone masonry...Native stone, especially varieties of local limestone, was, and is, readily available in the region, and it’s prolific use contributes greatly to the vernacular architecture of the town and of the larger Hill Country around it.” According to Smith, there are three big reasons why locally sourced stone is an appropriate material for the region: 1) Material availability - Central Texas has several local quarries, meaning cheaper transportation costs and an economic advantage for designers and developers. 2) Skilled labor - Working with stone is a “craft and an art.” Whether from Central Texas or Northern Mexico, there are a number of incredible stone masons who can help realize ambitious designs. 3) Unskilled labor - Because stone is very heavy, it requires significant “manual effort.” Unskilled labor is also available and affordable in Central Texas, making this work possible. Of all the materials in his architectural palette, Smith most identifies with stone. “I love visiting old and new stone quarries and working with masons on job sites, learning about different sources of native stone and how it is produced, worked and manifested in practice." — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2BKPbM9

Sutherland Felt Company’s Eco Felt product is a minimally processed and versatile material. Eco Felt is not dyed, showing off the natural color of the wool it's made from. The material is also flame retardant, requiring no additional treatments for flammability (unlike textiles such as acrylic, cotton and rayon). The minimal processing of this product contributes to a low carbon footprint. Eco Felt is available in 7 thicknesses, ranging from 1/8” to 1” and can be made in any density from soft to firm. Design applications include acoustic treatment, cladding, finishes and upholstery. Designers such as Kathryn Walter of showcase the potential of felt in their work, fashioning the material into rich accent pieces that enhance architectural elements. — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2TL1Khc