Material Stories

Working with the Materials Council's Ian Hunter, this project focused on the way in which the materiality of interiors has an important role in creating a particular atmosphere and identity to tell a story. I first researched precedent studies to explore and gain a better understanding of how the materials used in a space can create different identities. I then selected three identities that I wanted to come across in my design for a coffee shop (natural, rustic, and tranquil) and experimented with composing several material palettes that incorporated all three identities. Upon selecting my most successful material palette, I applied the textures to a simply-designed coffee shop, demonstrating the atmosphere created by the materials when used in situ.

​

Another important aspect of the project was sustainability. After selecting my materials and applying them to the site, I worked out the area, volume, density and weight of each to then calculate the embodied carbon of my design. As a means of then reducing the total embodied carbon of the scheme, I looked at reducing the volume of certain materials and using alternatives: secondary glass rather than primary, for example.

​

​