Architextures

At Architextures, we are dedicated to sharing our love of materials. Stories is our new online magazine exploring the material world with the aim of increasing understanding of materials application. Stories takes a deep dive into the rich history of materials making, considers how the manufacturing process affects the visual appearance of materials and looks at the contemporary materials changing the way we build. From the tenement tiles of Glasgow to the stone bricks that could help decarbonise our built environment, Stories celebrates the material world around us. Explore Stories: https://lnkd.in/eeWjqkgh Anna Campbell-Jones Vanessa Norwood Pierre Bidaud

Has it really been a whole year already? 2024 has been a great source of joy for us at Architextures. We've watched our community of architects and designers grow while strengthening our partnerships with manufacturers, further bridging the gap between design and production. Here is a glimpse into what it meant in terms of numbers: ✔️ 500,000 + people visited our library EACH month, totalling 18 million views for the year and 11 million downloads of materials and textures (!) ✔️ Our community represents more than 150 countries. ✔️ We introduced 1140 new materials into the library and 35 new brand partners. ✔️ 72000 referrals were made between our brand partners and our community of users. ✔️ We published 9 Stories as an introduction to the material world (with the help of the brilliant Vanessa Norwood) ✔️ We welcomed Phil, Chris D, and Charline to the team And to keep us going we drank 3672 teas and coffees ☕️ Bring on 2025!

There are very few architects that have such a long-lasting and productive relationship with one material. Alex de Rijke and his practice dRMM have championed the use of wood in architecture since their inception in 1995. And their recently completed project, 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑘, continues this legacy. Designed for the Greenwich Enterprise Board, the building provides a mix of light industrial, creative and office spaces tailored to the needs of diverse small businesses. Here’s what makes WorkStack so special: ✔️ 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: The design achieves 44% less upfront embodied carbon than RIBA’s 2030 Built Target for whole life carbon. ✔️ 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 e𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: CLT forms the structural core, minimising the need for additional finishes and reducing construction time. ✔️ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 d𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧: Passive shading, natural ventilation and energy-efficient systems ensure a healthy and comfortable environment year-round. WorkStack rethinks what urban workspaces can be, balancing sustainability, practicality and design. Want to learn more about this unique project? It's this way 👇 https://bit.ly/4ijDX3D 📸 pics credits to dRMM ✍️ Stories article by Vanessa Norwood #Architecture #Design #Wood

The construction industry still faces challenges when it comes to building sustainably at scale, often defaulting to concrete and steel. But did you know 19th-century builders in Brighton, UK, had already found a brilliant, eco-friendly alternative? They used bungaroosh—a unique, locally sourced material made from broken bricks, flint, pebbles, and wood, bound together with lime and sand. In our latest Story, Vanessa Norwood explores how today, bungaroosh is making a comeback as a new generation of material innovators are turning to sustainable, locally sourced options to create the buildings of tomorrow. It’s a perfect example of how looking back can inspire a more sustainable future. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6-HADGi Featuring the amazing work of Mary Duggan, Loretta Bosence and Ben Bosence. #design #materials #architecture #bungaroosh

A huge thank you to all of those who came along to our Reimagining the Built Environment // Vision 2034 event including our fantastic speakers Robin Ellis, Zarja Krevelj and Robert Alexander Colvin! It was great to dig deep into climate and social justice, big ideas, mechanisms for transformation, visions of a future whilst exploring ways we can all make change. Thanks to all who gave their input at our workshop to explore our Construction 2034 Manifesto that radically demands a better horizon that we are developing through the Construction Leadership Forum’s Transformation Action Plan. Huge thank you to Glasgow Collective and Architextures for hosting us!

“Time is running out. It is becoming apparent that if the construction industry’s contribution to reaching government targets of net zero by 2050 is to be achieved, radical action is called for. Old carbon intensive practices need to go. One solution seems staggeringly simple.” Vanessa Norwood spoke to stone suppliers Albion Stone plc and Hutton Stone Co Ltd – both members of The Stone Collective – to learn more about their pioneering production of stone bricks. Read more on Stories: https://lnkd.in/eATQb6AR #stonebrick #netzero #naturalstone

Corcrete by DESIGN STUDIO NIRUK now on Architextures! Corcrete is based on the combination of two contrasting materials – concrete and cork. Its exceptional surface structure is a blend of natural warmth and modernity. The material is reminiscent of terrazzo, but with a natural, light and lively look and feel. Download at https://lnkd.in/dNK3UK4E Photo by Thomas Wiuf Schwartz David Antonin Nina Ruthe #interiordesign #surfacedesign #terrazzo #corcrete

Introducing Architextures Stories, a celebration of the material world 📣 📣   Founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 2020, Architextures has grown to become the world’s largest digital materials library with a community of over 500,000 architects and designers who use the platform to create and download materials ⭐ I’ve been working with Architextures founder Ryan Canning on the next iteration of the company. I was interested to learn more about the origins of Architextures as a way to inform future direction. Ryan told me about an Egyptian jar made from volcanic andesite porphyry that he had seen at the British Museum. This beautiful piece of black rock proved the inspiration for the business.  Hopefully we’ve captured this love of materials in Stories. Stories is their new online magazine taking a deep dive into the rich history of materials, looking at how the manufacturing process affects the visual appearance of materials and shining a light on the contemporary materials changing the way we build 💚     Going forwards, I will be Architextures Editor-at-large bringing you more stories about materials and makers 🖊     Thank you to everyone who has shaped the stories so far; The Stone Collective, Albion Stone plc, Hutton Stone Co Ltd, Paye Stonework & Restoration Ltd, Pierre Bidaud, The Stonemasonry Company Limited Bennetts Associates, Nikolay Shahpazov, HG Matthews Brickworks, Rowland Keable Anna Campbell-Jones, Lizanne Phee, Ryan Canning, Erin Moodie    #architecture #materials #sustainablematerials #culturalstrategy #consultant https://lnkd.in/eYXvihdK

Have a read of this article I wrote for Architextures https://lnkd.in/eaC7CXBM

Reimagining the Built Environment // Vision 2034 Our Content Designer, Erin Moodie, is part of the BE Change Makers group at Built Environment - Smarter Transformation. And as part of the BE-ST Fringe, is hosting twinned events in Glasgow and Edinburgh on Thursday 24th October, 6pm - 9pm. Please join Erin and the BE Change Makers for an evening of thought-provoking discussions about the future of the built environment, and explore how we can collectively imagine a more optimistic, sustainable future ✨ Register now 👇 Glasgow: https://lnkd.in/e44JtwFv Edinburgh: https://lnkd.in/efFtnkjd