Wired Glass

Wired glass was originally created for fire-resistance purposes. Later it quickly became adopted by designers that recognized its aestetic potential. Wired glass is produced in one continuos process. Chemically treated metal is pressed into a molten ribbon of glass with a thin, ridged roller until the netting is completely surrounded by glass after which it is allowed to hard. The metal must be an alloy of nickel and iron and have a compatible expansion capacity as the glass. Wired glass is available in either rough-cast or polished form.

Colour: Variable
Glossiness: Glossy, satin, matt
Translucence%: 80% - 100%
Texture: Sharp, medium, dull
Hardness: hard, soft, despressible
Temperature: warm, medium, cool
Odour: Strong, moderate, none
Acoustic opacity: good, moderate, poor

Thermoplastics VS Thermosets

Plastic most of times replaces wood, metal and glass because of its versatility. However, plastics are still a young discovery, and still being a very innovative material to use if we have in account the history of construction. Limitless are the qualities of this material, a plastic can be selected for its strenght, impact resistance, scratch resistance, ultraviolet resistance, transparency, reflection, insulating properties.

Thermoplastics:

- Thermoplastics are temperature-sensitive
- They disolve or soften in solvents
- Thermoplastics are generally softer
- They can melt or burn

Ex's of thermoplastics: Plexiglas, Makrolon and Lexaan, PVC, Polysterene, Polypropylene and polyethene.

Thermosets:

- Less temperature-sensitive than thermoplastics
- They do not dissolve
- They are harder, less elastic
- Thermoplastics don't melt or burn, or at least they are harder to burn.

Ex's of thermosets: Bakelite, epoxy, polyester

I may emphasize more in one of these particular materials on following posts.

MAPLE WOOD

The maple wood distinguishes itself for its silver-grain markings and a silky sheen. It can be found on the sweet forests of Europe, but also in the eastern United States and Canada. Normally the maples grow until the 25 metters. It's lighter color is definitely a positive point and particular characteristic of the maple wood. Special varnishes should be added to prevent discolouring.
The temperature of the kiln should be below the 50º in order to prevent latter.

Positive aspects:

Hard and dense
Fine texture
Nice color

Negative aspects:

Risk of discoloration
Dries very slowly
Not so durable, moderatedly durable
Easy to bend

Colour: White-yellow
Glossiness: Glossy, satin, matt
Texture: Sharp, medium, dull
Hardness: hard, soft, despressible
Temperature: warm, medium, cool
Odour: Strong, moderate, none
Acoustic opacity: good, moderate, poor

Hand-blown Glass

Because of the way it is made, hand-blown glass sheets are fairly small, buthave unique irregularities that make them desirable for decorative glass designs.
Hand-blown glass can be clear or colored. Several effects can be created, flashed glass, cracked glass, seedy glass.

ORGANIC CONCRETE - BETÃO ORGÂNICO

The organic concrete is a material developed by the Lisbon-based architects E-studio.
This innovative material comes after a series of projects in which the distinction between natural and artificial materials has become increasingly questionable. As a genetic engineering created a new material, developed to reconcile the artificial plant and a single element.
Taking advantage of the ability to retain moisture of the concrete, the material acts as a cell, where water is released during dry periods.
Applied to the concrete surface to obtain organic living permeable surfaces, restoring a natural component of the urban public spaces and responding to the lack of permeability of soils, a perennial problem in urban management of the contemporary city.
The organic concrete, a material developed by e-studio, was awarded one of the Organic Design Awards, in its 2007 edition.

After being patented in 2005, the Organic Concrete is currently developing a partnership with the Group AMOP.

For more information: http://www.oasrs.org/conteudo/agenda/noticias-detalhe.asp?noticia=1385
http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2005/09/organic-concret.php
http://www.agrariaverde.pt/meio_ambiente/gunitagem.html
http://www.universia.pt/servicos_net/informacao/noticia.jsp?noticia=48998