Skin: 4 Materials

For this assignment, we had to research 4 materials that we could potentially use in the remodel of UNCG’s Jackson Library. The 4 materials had to have connections, differences, and different qualities. One had to be from before 1950, another had to be manufactured within the last year, one had to be borrowed from our precedent, and the last had to cover a majority of the surface with any shade of blue.

Materials Side

Sketches of materials in use with product specs.

For the blue material I chose terrazzo floor tile by Fritztile. Aside from blue being one of UNCG’s school colors, this beautiful tile would brighten up the space. This tile may be able to be used as the counter tiles at the checkout counter.


For the new material, I chose a product by 3form made of resin. This translucent material has a subtle pattern that would make great wall partitions to separate public and private spaces. This material could also be used as a ceiling feature. The product is able to be heat formed to mold into different forms.


The old material that I selected was Bronze. GKD Metal Fabrics makes a great material out of bronze that is flexible and can be molded into different shapes. I proposed this to be used as a ceiling feature. Aside from a ceiling feature, this material could also be used as a partition, or covering for columns.


Lastly was the borrowed material, which I took from the Mount Angel Library. This library uses slatted wood on the ceilings. While this isn’t the exact material, it represents the look I was going for. I saw this being an installation that would flow through the space and create boundaries to draw users to. This material could be used sides of the information desks or check out counter.


The connection between these materials is obvious to be. They all have an amazing rhythm and flow that draws the user eye from one place to the next. None of them are just plain solid colored materials. By this rhythm and flow, users of the building will feel drawn to keep moving throughout the building.

The differences between the materials are mainly the textures and visual qualities. The tile is smooth and cold to the touch. The product from 3form is translucent, with a slight rough texture to it. The Bronze is slick and some can be seen when looking through it. It is bendable in two directions. The Slatted wood is unfinished and gritty feeling. It is also bendable in one direction.

Overall, I believe all these materials could be represented within the concept of flow because of the transitions that they make.