MATERIALS IN
INTERIOR DESIGN
Theory of Architecture 3
ABOUT materials/texture
ARCHITECTURAL SELECTING PERCEPTION OF
MATERIALS MATERIALS QUALITY
INTRODUCTION
◦ Consciously and unconsciously we appreciate
the qualities of space
MATERIALS/ ◦ But it is the materials, textures and colours used in
that space to which we ultimately relate to
texture ◦ Product of a sense of recognition
◦ Encounters on their tactile, acoustic and light-
modifying qualities
◦ Create intrigue and excitement by employing
materials and finishes
ARCHITECTURAL MATERIALS
In the following slides we will identify some of the most commonly used
materials, both natural and man-made, and identify the aesthetic and
sensual qualities they can contribute to interior space.
TIMBER STONE GLASS
TIMBER
➢ TIMBER
◦ Hugely versatile
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
◦ Timber may be employed structurally
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
◦ For surface cladding on walls, floors
➢ METALS
◦ Warm and tactile
➢ GLASS
◦ May lend an elemental quality to a minimalist
➢ PLASTICS interior
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
◦ Be used to create the cozy ambience of a
country retreat
TIMBER
◦ Renewable resource
➢ TIMBER
◦ Left untreated, timber will absorb dirt and be
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE susceptible to staining
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO ◦ Oils, varnishes, lacquers, waxes and paints
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
TIMBER
➢ TIMBER
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
STONE, SLATE and marble
◦ Permanence, tradition and solidity
➢ TIMBER
◦ Create noisy environments unless balanced by
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE sound-absorbing materials
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO ◦ Appearance of stone, slate and marble depends
on the particular rock formations and on the
➢ METALS
extent to which they are finished
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
STONE, SLATE and marble
➢ TIMBER
◦ Rough, hewn stone with obvious joints will evoke
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE a sense of rusticity
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO ◦ Polished stone with hairline joints a more urbane
aesthetic
➢ METALS
◦ Hard, high-density stones such as granite are
➢ GLASS
highly resistant to wear and staining
➢ PLASTICS ◦ Softer stones like limestone and sandstone, are
porous and require careful sealing and
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
maintenance
STONE, SLATE and marble
➢ TIMBER
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
CONCRETE and terrazzo
➢ TIMBER
◦ Concrete is an amalgam of water, cement and
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
aggregate
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
◦ Semi-liquid material prior to hardening it can be
mould-formed
➢ METALS
◦ Additional colour may be introduced by adding
➢ GLASS
pigment to the mix
➢ PLASTICS
◦ Terrazzo is a refined concrete
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
CONCRETE and terrazzo
➢ TIMBER
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
METALS
◦ Provides appropriate resonances for their use in
➢ TIMBER contemporary interior architecture
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE ◦ Their planar, machine-aesthetic appearance
can create a pleasing contrast with other, more
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO organic, materials
➢ METALS ◦ Metals are available in sheet form (flat,
embossed or perforated) or as woven mesh as
➢ GLASS
well as structural sections
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
METALS
➢ TIMBER
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
GLASS
➢ TIMBER
◦ In the modern architectural environment it is
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
used as a replacement for walls and roofs, and
other interior elements
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
◦ Using sand, soda and potash together with heat,
➢ METALS glass can be created for a variety of applications
and a range of appearances
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
GLASS
➢ TIMBER
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
PLASTICS
➢ TIMBER
◦ Replacements for timber, glass, ceramics and
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE metals
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO ◦ Plastics may be moulded or extruded to make
objects, films or fibres. In the last case the fibres
➢ METALS may be woven or knitted to create textiles.
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
PLASTICS
➢ TIMBER
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
LEATHER and textiles
◦ Used in furniture and as wall and floor coverings
➢ TIMBER to create a comfortable interface between the
building structure and the human body
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
◦ Contrast and a sensuous quality to the interior
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
◦ Some fabrics are visually rich and warm to the
➢ METALS touch, others cool and hard
➢ GLASS
◦ Determined by requirements of colour, texture
and pattern and by the ability to withstand wear
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
LEATHER and textiles
➢ TIMBER
➢ STONE, SLATE & MARBLE
➢ CONCRETE & TERRAZZO
➢ METALS
➢ GLASS
➢ PLASTICS
➢ LEATHER & TEXTILES
SELECTING MATERIALS
To take control of that choice, and to avoid being
overwhelmed by it, it helps to identify the qualitied required of any particular
material by reference to four primary categories.
AESTHETIC PERFORMANCE SUSTAINABILITY COST
QUALITIES SPECIFICATION
AESTHETIC qualities
SELECTING MATERIALS
◦ Consider each element as having its place within
➢ AESTHETIC QUALITIES a hierarchical sequence
➢ PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS ◦ A hierarchy of forms, surfaces and effects will
serve to give identity and meaning to that space
➢ SUSTAINABILITY
◦ Make decisions about all the surfaces, materials
➢ COST and effects surrounding it and to ensure that
nothing is done which will create visual chaos
PERFORMANCE specifications
SELECTING MATERIALS
➢ AESTHETIC QUALITIES ◦ Strength and damage resistance
➢ PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS ◦ Workability and adaptability
➢ SUSTAINABILITY
◦ Light reflectance and sound absorption and its
capability of being fastened to other materials
➢ COST
SUSTAINABILITY
◦ Consider and reduce environmental impact
SELECTING MATERIALS ◦ Taking into account the availability and
extraction issues of raw materials
➢ AESTHETIC QUALITIES
◦ Environmental costs of transport and processing,
➢ PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
their handling, fixing and maintenance regimes
➢ SUSTAINABILITY
and, ultimately, their end-of-life dismantling and
disposal
➢ COST
◦ Can be easily adapted and repurposed and
which at the end of their working lives can be
recycled or disposed of with minimum ecological
impact
SUSTAINABILITY
SELECTING MATERIALS
➢ AESTHETIC QUALITIES
➢ PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
➢ SUSTAINABILITY
➢ COST
COST
SELECTING MATERIALS ◦ Cost is a significant determinant of the material
palette
➢ AESTHETIC QUALITIES
◦ Unless the chosen and desired materials are
➢ PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS affordable within the available budget there is
little point in expending design time and energy
➢ SUSTAINABILITY
on inappropriate and unaffordable choices
➢ COST ◦ Design is a balancing act in which expensive
choices in some areas may be counterbalanced
by savings in others
PERCEPTION OF QUALITY
The possibilities for the construction and decoration of interior spaces
include an extraordinarily diverse range of materials, finishes and products.
By recognizing the way that people respond to these things we are able to
employ the desired response in the design of interiors
SURFACE QUALITIES DURABILITY CONNECTIONS
