Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment,   ISBN:9781568987224

Customer Rating: 

This is simply a great book to own, particularly if one is a designer. My architecture studio professor recommended this book to my class when looking for materials for a project, and after she lent us her copy, I decided to buy it. Have not regretted it one bit. The book is easy to use, catalogs a wide range of innovative materials, and provides further information on where one can find either more information about the material or where to get it. It helps loads when trying to find materials that not only look beautiful, but also have all sorts of interesting functions and abilities.

Customer Rating: 

As an architecture student, I found this book to be quite useful in studio courses. Materiality is something students often struggle with, and this book opens up boundaries (as well as including some more conventional choices). For schools stressing sustainability, this book becomes an even more useful tool. The sequel contains more experimental materials as well as a great deal of digital (i.e., not necessarily as practical) mediums than the first book.

Customer Rating: 

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.

Customer Rating: 

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.

Customer Rating: 

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.