EXP2- Week 2

Specular and bump maps applied (before and after shots)

Left Wall

Middle Wall

Right Wall

Before

material 1

Material 2

material 3

Just to clarify:

The house I'm proceeding with for experiment 2 is the Rudin House

Independent Study.

Specular and bump maps!

1. So far I've modeled the house, and attempted to put the concrete textures on. I haven't gotten as far as I imagine that I should be but I'm slowly getting there.

FIRST CONCRETE TEXTURE

SECOND CONCRETE TEXTURE

THIRD CONCRETE TEXTURE

FOURTH CONCRETE TEXTURE

FIFTH CONCRETE TEXTURE

2.  Research on Materials

Concrete

What is the process of making the material: To make concrete you'll need cement & builder's sand. the sand and cement should be mixed together in a mixing box.
How long will the material last: It depends on the design life 50 -75 years, the environmental, service conditions, and preventative maintenance practices.
What makes the material corrode: Concrete may corrode by cracking when they are tension is applied for a prolonged period of time (stress corrosion.
What are the material's structural pros and cons: 
Pros- Durable, easy to maintain, versatile in a sense that it gives a lot of design freedom and it's long lasting. 
Cons- Doesn't retain heat, moisture can set if it isn't properly sealed leading to a growth of mold or mildew.
What is the material typically used for: Concrete is usually used for construction of buildings.
What are the material's environmental impacts: The cement industry is one of two primary producers of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.Concrete can cause heavy soil erosion, water pollution and flooding due to its heavy weight on the earths surface.

Glass

What is the process of making the material: Get a sufficient amount of silica sand. Add sodium carbonate and calcium oxide to the sand. Add other chemicals to improve the glass for the purpose which is to be used. Place the mixture in a heat-resistant crucible or holder. Melt the mixture into a liquid. Homogenize and remove bubbles from the molten glass. Shape the molten glass. Let the glass cool. Heat-treat the glass to strengthen it. 

How long will the material last: Glass should last for a good 100 years and beyond. Although even with its durability, it does darken as it ages if not taken care of.

What makes the material corrode: The corrosion process is  caused by reactions between the glass surface and gases in the atmosphere. It is commonly associated with moisture or vapor attack through condensation, or reaction with an alkaline solution.

What are the material's structural pros and cons: 

Pros- Finished glass is inert and non-toxic. It is easy to clean and maintain, having a dense surface, which inhibits contamination. Glass is vastly recyclable and scrap glass, is a key production ingredient added to raw materials.

Cons- Darkens as it gets older if not properly maintained. Due to heating glass in high temperatures the environment also takes its toll with carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions being released into the air.

What is the material typically used for: Usually used for windows, but can also be made as part of a structure.

What are the material's environmental impacts: The heat to make the glass requires a significant amount of energy thus resulting in a massive amount of energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Stone

What is the process of making the material: Stone is normally found within mother nature, quarried of mined then refined into the desired shape.
How long will the material last: Good quality stone work should last 100-150 years
What makes the material corrode: Weathering effects.
What are the material's structural pros and cons:  

Pros- Stone is easy to maintain. Also, putting in natural stone is a long-term investment because it does not degrade quickly and it is not a material that will need constant maintenance or repair. Stone is also Eco-friendly Because it is mined directly from the earth and does not require chemicals to clean.

Cons- The cost of stone would be quite expensive, plus it would be expensive to install in a house. In addition, stone does not retain any heat thus leaving the house cold all year especially in the colder winter months.

•  What is the material typically used for: Stone can be used as a variety of things in the process of building, from fences to walls, tiles, counter tops, to whole houses. It just depends what kind of building you're constructing and what kind of stone you're looking for.
  What are the material's environmental impacts: Stone is cut in large slabs from the earth which usually permanently alters the landscape and changes the ecosystem. Quarried areas can negatively affect rain runoff, soil composition and slope, possibly even causing landslides, toppled trees or flooding. Dust from quarrying pollutes surrounding water, soil and air, and the population nearby may have to deal with noise pollution.  Also, it is energy-intensive to transport.