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LEARNING OUTCOMES

 To be able to identify the main functions &

requirements of each building system to inform
specification of materials.
 Get a broad idea on how the choice of materials affects
the form, shape, character and structural system of a
building.
 Understand the importance of maintenance &
B UI L D I N G M A T E R I A L S environmental considerations on the choice of
materials.
HOW ARE MATERIALS USED IN A BUILDING?
Functions of materials related to buildings elements
UTAR - Department of Architecture and Sustainable Development
Lecturer Fernando Andrade
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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION – MATERIAL & IMAGINATION

Materials create an ambience (experiences) and can Some materials are deeply connected to their origin
provide meaning to architecture, for that a designer and region, for example: stone is excavated from the
needs to: ground; bamboo or timber are part of the natural
• have an understanding of how materials have been landscape.
used historically – connect with the local culture,
traditions etc.
• have awareness of innovations in material
application – express traditions, future, high-tech.
• construction methods, detailing and materials are
inter-related and can be integrated in such a way
that they immediately reveal an architectural idea
behind a building.
3 Kengo Kuma - Lotus house Japan (stone) 4

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INTRODUCTION – MATERIAL & IMAGINATION INTRODUCTION – MATERIAL & IMAGINATION

Other materials have no connection to a place or Increasingly designers are taking materials from
region, they can be made anywhere and look the different contexts and environments and applying
same anywhere, like concrete, plastics, metals and them inventively in architecture, either from the
glass. world of engineer, furniture design, fashion etc.

Stainless steel mesh Window aluminium lovred window 5 Images: left-ARUP - Water Cube Beijing; right-Peter Cook - Kunsthaus Graz; (Plastics) 6

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INTRODUCTION – MATERIAL & IMAGINATION INTRODUCTION - SUSTAINABILITY

The consideration of materials for architectural In 20th century, issues of cost and sustainability
elements and systems is integral to the design became very important. When specifying materials
process itself, the actual creative act. it is the responsibility of an architect to think about:
Conceiving form and materials separately is a symptom • how far they have traveled,
of a less than ideal process.
• whether they can be
David Adjaye – Genesis (wooden pavilion) recycled or reused
after demolition,
• if they are
composed of
recycled materials,
• etc.
Grimshaw Architects - Eden Project (Plastic
with metal structure) 7 8

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1.BUILDING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 2.BUILDING ENVELOPE

A designer needs to know the building’s systems  The building must mediate between an unstable
requirements so it becomes clear what set of exterior climate and the human physiological need for
properties are most important. a stable indoor environment. The building envelope (&
services) address this.
The most demanding in terms of materials properties
are the building envelope (with its many elements  Is composed of several interconnected assemblies
(elements & components) such as roof, base floor,
and components) and the structure system.
external walls (with its opening systems ie windows,
Any building is an assemblage of various systems that doors, skylights), rainwater drainage etc.
accomplish simple tasks.  Protects the interior from the effects of temperature
and the weather, provides safety, privacy, views,
natural light etc.

9 In: Material Architecture, John Fernandez, Architectural Press. 10

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2.BUILDING ENVELOPE 2.BUILDING ENVELOPE

 Not only has an important role in providing the desired

comfort level for its occupants. Its components will
also determine the energy efficiency of the building.
 A building daily emissions of CO2 are approximately
60% to 80% of its total life cycle emissions.

(1) Definitions extracted from Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, Nikolas Davies and Erkki

Jokiniemi, Elsevier, 2008. 11 12

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3.BUILDING ELEMENTS & COMPONENTS BUILDING ENVELOPE - QUIZ

Building element (1)  Write down the main functions / requirements of a

 any major functioning part of, or structural assembly building Envelope / Fabric.
in, a building, such as roof, floor, walls, beams, slabs or  Give examples of weather protection requirements that
foundations; often made up of building components can be very challenging for materials of the building
(assemblage of more simple systems).
envelope, in winter climate, in tropical climate.
Building component (1)
 a prefabricated assemblage of parts or product such as
a door or window assembly, technical utility etc.
supplied ready for installation on site.

(1) Definitions extracted from Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, Nikolas Davies and

Erkki Jokiniemi, Elsevier, 2008. 13 14

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4.BUILDING ENVELOPE – EXTERNAL WALLS 4.BUILDING ENVELOPE – EXTERNAL WALLS

External walls (1) walls forming the external envelope of In colder climates special attention should be given to
a building and exposed to the elements. external walls exterior insulation, but in warmer
climates this strategy reveals to be irrelevant (1),
being much more relevant to focus in exterior
shading (louvers) of glazing components.

(1) Definitions extracted from Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, Nikolas Davies and Erkki (1) Green Architecture, an Asian Perspective. By Hsien-Te Lin. 2011.

Jokiniemi, Elsevier, 2008. 15 Images: Studio Gang - Aqua Tower, Chicago. 16

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4.BUILDING ENVELOPE – EXTERNAL WALLS 5.BUILDING ENVELOPE - BASE FLOOR

Base floor the lowest constructed floor level of a
For any climate a smart envelop energy saving design
building, that is adjacent to the ground; it may be
should:
at basement or ground floor level.
 avoid excess window ratio, ie 20% for residential(1).
 select energy efficient glass with appropriate insulation
and shading properties.
 different window frame design and material offer
different insulation properties and durability.

Images: Piuarch - Ravenna, Italy; GHD sunshade.

(1) Green Architecture, an Asian Perspective. (1) Definitions extracted from Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, Nikolas Davies and
By Hsien-Te Lin. 2011. 17 Erkki Jokiniemi, Elsevier, 2008. 18

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BUILDING ENVELOPE - QUIZ 6.BUILDING ENVELOPE - ROOF

 Write down the main functions / requirements of a base  Is another important element for accessing the efficacy of
floor. a B.E.:
 Which materials are adequate to perform the main  it greatly affects living conditions (indoor climate) and
functions required by a base floor? Explain your choices. energy savings,
 It is the most exposed element to climate conditions,
specially the rain and sun.
 Waterproofing and insulation is fundamental.

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6.BUILDING ENVELOPE - ROOF 6.BUILDING ENVELOPE - ROOF

Roof (1) those parts of the top of a building which provide
 For energy savings and better indoor comfort it is of shelter against the elements.
extreme importance to shadow and keep roof skylights
ratio below 10%, use energy efficient glass superior in
both insulation and shading properties (1).
 Large glass areas are not only energy wasteful, but also
result in glare effect.

(1) Definitions extracted from Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, Nikolas Davies and Erkki Jokiniemi,
(1) Green Architecture, an Asian Perspective. By Hsien-Te Lin. 2011. 21 Elsevier, 2008. 22

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BUILDING ENVELOPE - QUIZ 7.STRUCTURE SYSTEM

 Write down the main functions / requirements of a Structure system needs to be stable, reliable and
building roof. strong. Must transfer loads, either vertical,
 Propose materials to perform main functions of a roof horizontal, static and dynamic, to the ground.
system. Structure (1) is a combination of parts assembled
together to form a load bearing and a rigid whole.
Types: cable-supported, metal, reinforced-concrete,
timber, glulam, bamboo, suspended structures, load-
bearing masonry walls etc.

(1) Definitions extracted from Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, Nikolas Davies and Erkki
23 Jokiniemi, Elsevier, 2008. 24

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7.STRUCTURAL SYSTEM 7.1.TIMBER STRUCTURE

The structure (or frame) that supports a building can Wood is one of the least polluting building material with
be considered to be analogous to a skeleton of a the highest recycling rate, and actually outlasts RC and
body, and the materials that the structure holds in steel. Glued laminated timber (glulam) even triples the
place similar to the organs, tissue and skin that stress capacity per unit weight of an RC structure (1).
define a body’s shape and specificity. Contribute to the carbon sink effect. The man-production
of forests contribute to maintain the forest, produce
more oxygen, absorb CO2 and therefore curb global
warming. Similar for bamboo.
The natural texture, warm palette of wood provide a great
living environment.

(1) Definitions extracted from Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, Nikolas Davies and Erkki

Jokiniemi, Elsevier, 2008. 25 (1) Green Architecture, an Asian Perspective. By Hsien-Te Lin. 2011. 26

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7.2.REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE 7.3.STEEL STRUCTURE

Allows for great flexibility of structural forms, colors and Allows structures that are lighter than RC, they are
textures. usually associated with the use of extensive glass
The raw materials used in a Reinforced Concrete structure
systems, in facades, giving an appearance of
building are responsible for 10% to 30% of total emissions of lightness, transparency and high-tech.
CO2 during a building life cycle. Requires use of high precision so all components can
An economical RC system can save significant amount of steel be assembled perfectly.
and concrete (4% to 30% savings) (1) depending on the
number of floors.
Images: Oscar Niemeyer projects,
Brazil.

Moshe Safdie and Associates

- Toronto Lester Pearson
International Airport (steel Thomas Pucher and Alfred Bram
(1) Green Architecture, an Asian Perspective. By Hsien-Te Lin. 2011. 27 structure), 2010 Berger - Nik building, Austria 28

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7.3.STEEL STRUCTURE 8.MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Steel Structure has a high recycling and re-use ratio
Low maintenance design
compared with RC. A Steel structure can emit less
50% of CO2 emissions compared to a RCS (1).  To reduce maintenance costs (cleaning & repairing)
special care should be taken in detailing the
components
 & specifying the right materials for:
• the use / function (traffic / load etc)
• and environmental conditions
(sun/rain/pollution exposure etc).

Asymptote Architects –
Yas marina hotel Abu Dhabi, 2009

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(1) Green Architecture, an Asian Perspective. By Hsien-Te Lin. 2011.

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8.MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS 9.GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS

Improve durability and efficiency:  Materials that have a reduced impact in the
 Protecting most vulnerable components, i.e. windows environment and are harmless to human health
and doors, from dust, sun, wind and rain. (innocuous).
 Protect most vulnerable materials from extreme  Some of the criteria are:
exposure to sun, water or other threats (timber, • reducing waste, energy, water usage in the extraction of
bamboo, silicones, PVC etc). raw materials from nature and production,
 Simpler building forms and shapes are easier to • using recycled and local materials,
maintain and more durable. • eliminating toxic elements from composite materials.
 In general, the more complex a building shape, the
higher is its maintenance cost and vulnerability to the
elements of nature (1).

(1) Green Architecture, an Asian Perspective. By Hsien-Te Lin. 2011. 31 32

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9.GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS DISCUSSION TIME…

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