Eric Reinholdt is an award-winning architect, mountain climber, designer, guitar player,paper cutter, blogger and author. He is the founder of 30X40 Design Workshop. He has a YouTube channel named “30X40 Design Workshop” where he discusses architectural related topics that can help architecture students prepare themselves in the field.
After watching four of his videos namely, Choosing Architectural Materials, Using Materials to tell a Story (An Architectural Essay), Humble (building) materials, and Material Marriages (An Architect's Favorite Pairings) I learned a lot and became more enthusiastic about architecture. Architect Eric said that architecture can’t exist on a page, it must be built, and transform our drawings and models into physical reality where choosing materials to represent abstract ideas are vital.
I have learned that architectural materials have a lot of impact in a structure. The importance of consideration in choosing materials like physical properties, context, experiential qualities, cost, and manufacturing affects the overall appearance and value of a structure. With variety of textured finishes, colors and installation techniques, simple materials like concrete block can be used to create a great variety of surface appearance. The character of a raw material like concrete is accentuated when used near more tailored material such as wood, and because grey is a neutral tone it complements the tones found in natural woods. Exposing structure to view is also an authentic way to express the structural and thermal concept.
Materials can elevate and support each other in both simple and complex ways. When used in ways that highlight their natural properties each enriches the other. An example is a marriage in wood tones and white, wood tones highlight important elements while the white ensures that the overall space remains bright and airy. Glass also allows deeply saturated paint colors to advance and is a classically modern complement to any color palette. Neutral color palettes accentuate form, above all else, subtle variations in texture and luster from dull. I am also a particular person when it comes to details, even the smallest ones. I want to be organized following a step by step process, just like how architect Eric Reinholdt is very particular and specific when it comes to choosing the right materials to use, his ways of taking into considerations the things that can affect the construction process and also the long term effects of the materials.
Choosing the appropriate and best materials requires a lot of consideration and brainstorming. It is not an easy job since you have to study every material’s properties, how it affects the building, the aesthetic properties, and how it helps a person perceive the building and also taking into consideration the environmental effects of these materials.
I'll probably check that video later. The weather and climate should also be considered in choosing what materials to use :)