The term composite materials refer to building materials that are made from two or more different materials that have been combined to create a new one with enhanced properties. Composite materials are widely used in construction because they offer a range of benefits, including strength, durability, and versatility.
Composite materials can be made from a wide range of materials, including metals, polymers, fibers, and ceramics, and can be designed to have specific properties, such as high strength, stiffness, or durability. Some common types of composite materials used in construction include Fiber-reinforced polymer composites, wood-plastic composite, metal matrix composites, and cementitious composites.
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are lightweight and strong, and are often used in structural applications, such as in beams, columns, and bridge decks. Wood-plastic composite on the contrary is a durable and low-maintenance material that is often used in decking, fencing, and other outdoor applications. Metal matrix composites are known for their high strength and stiffness, and are often used in structural applications, while cementitious composites are made from a mixture of cement, water, and aggregate, and are often reinforced with fibers or other materials to increase their strength, so they can be used in the construction of walls, floors, and other structural elements.
Composite materials can be tailored to meet a wide range of performance requirements, making them suitable for a variety of applications and often considered to be endless in terms of their potential uses.
net-zero waste in construction
Landfills are filling up incessantly, and the construction sector is accountable for 40% of the waste. The waste generated in the life-cycle of a building accounts not only from the construction itself but more so on the phases of design, operation and demolition.
Dulwich house
the back yard
The brick facade of the original house contrasts with the appearance of the new extension, which looks like a steel and glass box. The thickness of the roof and walls gradually decreases until it ends in a tapered steel profile that offers a light and sophisticated look.
Pedraza house
the kitchen
The kitchen is a generous space full of light. The continuity of the polished concrete pavement, the large windows and the distribution around an island make this room blend with the surrounding landscape.
Allison house
the double height space
The extension of the house introduces an interior courtyard that provides light to the living/dining room. In front of the elongated courtyard window, a double-height gap is formed to change the perception of space and bring a feeling of spaciousness to the ground floor.
Carola furniture series
On the last few months, we have been working on an exciting outdoor furniture project: the Carola Collection, a minimalist and simple furniture design inspired by the bright colours of the sunny Mediterranean regions.
Pedraza house
the kitchen and the courtyard
The timeless design of the kitchen is based on the warmth of the wood and the simplicity of the white surfaces. The furniture is modular and functional with large oak drawers.
Burke house
the kitchen
The existing kitchen is refurbished and expanded to form part of the living room. A central island articulates the space, which includes a work area, a bar and a dining table.
Zain tower
the interior
The interior is a luminous and diaphanous space. The white ceiling and the polished concrete floor give a feeling of spaciousness.
building products for sustainable design
As architects, we have a social responsibility to promote environmental equality. To fight climate change, we need to cut back on energy consumption costs for buildings. We start by designing for sustainability.
K house
the kitchen
The design of the kitchen offers a luminous and minimalist aspect. The central island and the back wall are covered with white ceramic tiles forming a vertical pattern. The fixtures and fittings in matt black stand out on the synthetic quartz worktop.
using authentic eco-friendly building products
Advanced technologies in materials engineering continuously pave the way for the manufacturing of synthetic materials. Building typologies which once exhibited natural and organic surface materials are now replaced with composites, plastics and resins. However, specifications on the form, particularly on the façade itself, channel directly into its users the perception, character and function of the […]
communicating design with 3D prints
Architecture starts with an idea. It is the communication of a vision into a concrete form. Translating this concept into 2D visual presentations has always been the norm. With the advent of 3D printing, the interpretation of an idea into a tangible physical model is now garnering attention.
finishes specification
Finishes specification involves detailing a list of all the materials in the final parts of the project. The file contains commercial products available in the market following technical, functional, aesthetic, and economic criteria ‒ price and maintenance costs.