Material Calendar 2014GXN - Green Innovation in Architecture

“GXN is dedicated to ecological design

research through digital processes and

innovative material solutions. We are

inspired by the functionalties and form of

nature and we want to investigate how these

can influence architecture”

Kasper Guldager Jørgensen

Director GXN, Partner 3XN

3XN partNers GXN team

Bo Boje Larsen

Kasper Guldager Jørgensen

Jan Ammundsen

Kim Herforth Nielsen

Tore Banke

Steffan Riegas Martin Malthe Borch Monica Wiecek

Nicolai ArensbachSilvia FunieruPeter Villemoes

Liv Grete Framgård

Hali Larsen

Zunheng Lai

Lasse Lind Morten Norman Lund Mille Sylvest

GXN was established in 2007 as an internal division of Danish

architectural practice 3XN, and has since day one been working

with applied architectural research in green materials and

building technologies.

The ‘G’ stands for Green, highlighting a dedication to ecological

design research through, environmental strategies and

innovative material solutions.

Our vision is to create architecture and design that contribute to

the development of a building culture that positively affect the

world we live in - both architecturally and environmentally.

A special thank you to photographer Claus Troelsgaard for the

beautiful and artistic photos.

Green regards from the GXN Team of 2013

GXN

Publisher

GXN A/S

Editorial

Kasper Guldager Jørgensen

Morten Norman Lund

Lasse Lind

Peter Villemoes

Design

Kasper Guldager Jørgensen

Peter Villemoes

Lene Borre Christensen

Photography

Claus Troelsgaard

Print

Price

30 Euro

Green Innovation in Architecture

January Bendy WoodThis material is a solid hardwood that can be bent in ways

that seems impossible. In the process, blanks of hardwood

are teamed to soften the cell walls, then, still damp, they are

compressed along their length for about 20 % and finally dried

in this compressed form. This allows the wood to be bent as

much as to a radius of 10 times its thickness. Thin sections are

bendable by hand, larger with the help of tools far easier and

faster than conventional techniques.

www.bendywood.com

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February Curved GypsumGypsum is an almost infinite natural resource, continually

replenished in nature. As well as being a renewable resource,

gypsum can be recycled practically indefinitely. Gypsum has

a number natural properties which makes it ideal as building

material in many ways. It is very environmentally responsible

and durable. It has excellent sound absorption and -diffusion.

Curved gypsum is made of robust, glass fibre reinforced gypsum

and can be used on walls as well as ceilings.

www.knauf.com

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March Directing LightThis technology makes it possible to direct or disperse light

while avoiding glare effects. Acrylics, poly-carbonate and other

transparent materials, are embossed with cone-shaped prisms

that direct the light. The technology is optimized by numerical

algorithms and enables architects to utilize light to suit specific

spatial needs. Jungbecker Optics produce a wide range of

products offering accurate lighting control.

www.jungbecker.de

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April Natural BambooFor centuries bamboo has been an inexhaustible resource in

Asia. Bamboo is a miracle plant by all accounts. Its many uses

include erosion control, watershed protection, soil remediation,

and environmental greening. Bamboo is the fastest growing

timber plant on earth, and can grow higher in vertical meters

that traditional forestry. Bamboo has in recent years emerged

as a much sought after timber for industrial applications and

environmental enhancement.

www.bambooxl.nl

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May Flexible Carbon TubesThis composite material is derived from a flexible technique

used to mould fibre reinforced plastic tubes. The construction

method allows the realisation of strong double-curved spline

structures of various sizes and functions but without any need

of costly moulding procedures. In their flexible stage, the tubes

can be easily free-formed. In their second stage, after the tubes

have been hardened with resin, they can be used for structural

purposes. Natural fibers can also be used.

www.splinetex.at

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June Alu FoamUsing post-industrial aluminium, Alusion makes stiff,

incombustible, non-toxic, sound- and crash absorbing and heat

resistant panels. The lightweight stabilized aluminium foam

of the core is produced by introducing gas bubbles into a melt

of metal matrix composite, in which hard ceramic particles

stabilize the bubbles and ensure that the material retains its

final shape. Alu foam has a great aestetic, and high bending

strength at comparatively low weight.

www.alusion.com

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July Mycelium BoardsIn this material filamentous fungi is used to bond seed husks,

like cotton burrs and buckwheat hulls. Ecovative insulation is

literally grown. The result is a biodegradable material, which is

free from any hazardous chemical compounds. Greensulate is

stronger than many synthetic types of foam, making it ideal for

structural insulation panels. Manufacturing costs are low since

the fabrication does not require any significant heat, light or

petroleum. It grows in the dark.

www.ecovative.com

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August Engineered WoodCross laminated timber is a modern, sustainable building

material that can replace energy consuming concrete. Made as

prefabricated, solid elements that act as both thermal insulation

and as part of the buildings structure the elements have good

acoustic properties combined with good fire performance.

The manufacturing process insures uniform lamination and

guarantees the specified characteristics in terms of safety,

performance and reliability.

www.binderholz.com

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September Recyclable CarpetDesso EcoBase is a fully sustainable carpet tile backing. It is

100% PVC-free, contains recycled content, and enabled Desso to

achieve a Cradle to Cradle silver certificate for an entire carpet

product. Desso offers clients a take back programme to ensure

that products will be recycled according to Cradle to Cradle

principles. Products will be taken back after their useful life,

and will be safely recycled into new carpet products, or used in

other recycling initiatives.

www.desso.com

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October Translucent FibersA composite is a material where two (or more) materials

combined obtains constructive qualities that none of them had

by themselves. Fiberline produces fibre-reinforced polymers

(FRP) from glass fibres and a polyester resin to create a

translucent high-strength, and lightweight components. The

profiles and properties of the composite may be customised to

meet specific demands for strength, resistance, translucency

and insulation properties.

www.fiberline.dk

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November Regenerative CorkCork consists of a honeycomb of microscopic cells, filled with an

air-like gas. This makes it very light, compressible , impermeable

to liquids and gases, an insulator against moisture and noise,

and resilient. It has an elastic memory which enables it to

adapt to variations in temperature and pressure. It is resistant

to fire, and abrasion. It is one of the most versatile materials

available. Furthermore it is completely natural, biodegradable,

regenerative and recyclable.

www.amorim.com

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December Natural Fiber FabricBio-textiles can be used as natural fibre reinforcements in

biocomposite materials. The shown fabric is based on flax fibers

but could also derrive from hemp, coconut or others. Components

can be made from the fabrics using conventional moulding

techniques. Bio-textiles and biocomposites are made from

renewable materials and are in some cases fully biodegradable.

The cover of this calendar is raw unprocessed flax, which can be

made into the textile you see on this page.

www.libeco.com

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