Architect and educator Blaine Brownell is named Director of UNC Charlotte School of Architecture

2020-03-19T13:00:00-04:00

Architect and educator Blaine Brownell has been named as the new director of the School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s College of Arts + Architecture.

Brownell is currently a professor and interim head of the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture, where he has previously led the school’s graduate studies and Master of Science in Architecture—Sustainable Design programs.

According to a press release published by University of North Carolina, Brownell is a former Fulbright scholar who has authored eight books, including most recently Matter in the Floating World, a book published by Princeton Architectural Press that explores Japanese design. Brownell was recently elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.

Academically speaking, Brownell’s research focus revolves around issues of sustainability and materiality. He is a widely published author, both in academic and popular publications, including The New York T...

What does the future of architectural materials look like?

2019-03-11T17:49:00-04:00

While technology has always been a double-edged sword when it comes to sustainability and equity, it also holds the key to ameliorating pressing environmental challenges. A rising generation of materials engineers and designers are engaging these questions with renewed urgency, examining the nexus of nature and technology to develop more sustainable architectural products.

With the changing environment, architects and designers must consider the evolution of architectural materials and its uses. Digital building techniques have already made an impact on the built environment, however building materials are being re-evaluated not only for their application but their long term impacts. According to Blaine Brownell, architect and material researcher, he explains the renewed urgency for designers and material engineers to evaluate the connection between nature and technology in order to create sustainable building products. Brownell, author of the Transmaterial book series, shares five new prototypical materials that can reshape the future of architecture and construction.

Read about these five building materials and Brownell's description below:

Green Charcoal, designed by Meenal Sutaria and Shreyas More

Green Charcoal
Developed by: Meenal Sutaria and Shreyas More, of the Indian School of Design & Innovation in Mumbai
"The new material is a non-steel-rein...

Archinect - News

Architect and educator Blaine Brownell is named Director of UNC Charlotte School of Architecture

What does the future of architectural materials look like?