PROJECT TITLE
What's Hot????: Materials and Finishes for Residential and Commercial Interiors

AUTHOR
Adair Thorn Bowen, Ph.D.
Baylor University
Waco, TX
adair_bowen@baylor.edu

PROJECT LEVEL
Second Year

ABSTRACT
The student entering a materials and finishes course often has little knowledge of material characteristics and product information such as manufacturers, suppliers, or even trade names. This project is designed as an introductory activity, challenging students to investigate interior materials currently on the market. Students browse current magazines, peruse product websites, and visit area suppliers. They present their findings in a collage format identifying WHAT'S HOT in ________??? (product category i.e. commercial flooring).

OBJECTIVES
• To increase awareness of specific interior materials and finishes on the market today.
• To increase awareness of common trade names, manufacturers, and suppliers of interior materials.
• To analyze interior materials and finishes as to current market trends related to color usage, dominant line, pattern trends, common applications, and environmental concerns.
• To utilize the World Wide Web as a source of product information.

PROCESS
1.  The students break into small groups of two or three. Each group is then asked to select one of the following categories:
     commercial flooring
     kitchen cabinetry
     residential flooring
     commercial wall treatments
     residential ceiling treatments
     decorative architectural detail
     residential wall treatments
     commerical ceiling treatments
     commercial window treatments
     residential window treatments
     kitchen and bath hardware/fixtues
     "green" materials on the market for interiors

2.  Each group creates a collage, illustrating current trends in materials and finishes for the category that they selected. They may use current magazines, brochures, materials in resource lab, etc.

3.  Students analyze their finished collage noting color trends, dominant line usage, patterns, textural qualities, trade names, manufactureres, suppliers, etc. They make a list of 10 descriptive terms or phrases that define WHAT'S HOT for their chosen category.

4.  Each group member will select one product manufacturer identified during research and visit the manufacturer's website. They report their findings to the class after presenting their collage.

PRESENTATION
1.  Mount the collage on foam core, mat board, or other sturdy material.
2.  Be creative in your presentation.
3.  Place the list of descriptors on the back of your board.
4.  Good craftsmanship is important

EVALUATION
Collages are evaluated on accuracy of information, creativity, and craftsmanship.

PROJECT LENGTH
one class period or lab

RESOURCES
Riggs, Rosemary J. (1999). Materials and components for interior architecture. (5th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Any current (within the past 18 months) design periodicals (i.e. Interior Design, Architectural Digest, Kitchen and Bath Design, Hospitality Design, Contract, Interiors and Sources, annual market issues, etc.), materials from the resource lab, and product brochures.

CREDITS
This activity was designed for quick exposure and involvement in the course content. It proved to be very successful. The students approached the acivity with enthusiasm and creativity.

DOCUMENTATION
Student Projects
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