“better to repair than restore; better to restore than reconstruct.”

David Chipperfield, Form vs Function. Mies und das Museum. (Speech), 27.11.2014

The quote above, taken from a speech given by the architect David Chipperfield in 2014, voices the conclusions his team came to during the surgical restoration process of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe’s iconic Neue Nationalgalerie building in Berlin. A landmark ‘International Style’ structure and the last completed project Van Der Rohe made before his death, it was also the only building he completed in Europe following his emigration to New York. 

After winning the restoration contract for the Neue Nationalgalerie in 2012, David Chipperfield Architects began the task at hand in earnest in 2015. They stripped the structure’s interior and removed its shell, extracting a total of 35,000 building components, restored them, before reinstalling them in their original position.

“Our task was not only to repair its body but to protect its soul.”

David Chipperfield, Form vs Function. Mies und das Museum. (Speech), 27.11.2014

We could read this quote, out of context, as an environmental statement, directed at our engagement with the planet. We have all been tasked with the repair and renewal of our environment, and our ongoing commitment to eco-innovative sustainable materials and material solutions is paramount. Our research is firmly rooted in finding the most sustainable solutions.

The first exhibition in the upstairs glass space, and exterior terrace, is a beautiful survey of the sculptural works of Alexander Calder – “Minimal / Maximal” – a fitting opening choice, as his work Têtes et Queue (1965) was exhibited at the building’s inaugural exhibition in 1968. In this way, another type of restorative act is played out, as the work stands in the same place it occupied 53 years ago.

“Instead of finding new forms through experimentation and struggling with insecurities of a new society, Mies reasserted the idea of order, through a humane classism, building a temple, not of stone but now of glass, a new transparency, reconsidering through this transparency not only the enthusiasm of a modern and progressive world but a new openness between inside and outside and between the individual and the structures of society.” 

David Chipperfield, Falling Walls Conference (Speech), 8.11.2014

With Van Der Rohe’s temple open once again for art disciples, ushering in the new Neue, David Chipperfield Architects have schooled us in a restoration masterclass, which we cannot wait to visit! All the information can be found on the Neue Nationalgalerie website to plan your visit.

The site is dominated by a twisting multifaceted behemoth of a tower designed by starchitect Frank Gehry, clad in over 11,000 metal panels, which has already caused controversy among the local people! Luma Arles is situated in an industrial railway yard, replete with several renovated 19th-century warehouses that previously belonged to SNCF and over 6000m2 of sprawling landscaped gardens by Bas Smets to explore and reflect in.

The new multifaceted metallic surface created by the irregular placement of the plaques together explores the visual potential of the material’s reflective possibilities with natural light and awakens the three-dimensional possibilities of the tower under sunlight.

The resulting sculptural element is a wonder under light, and this technique can be applied to any type of sculpture or 3D backdrop, with endless layering possibilities.

If you are interested to learn more about Alucore, look at the material page here, or  contact us for more information.

All photographs copyright and courtesy, Vogue Runway & Nowfashion

After several delays due to the pandemic, the Pinault Collection has finally opened its doors in the iconic Bourse de Commerce building in central Paris. Since building work began in 2017, we were eager to see how one of our favourite architects, Tadao Ando, would re-imagine the space whilst keeping the building’s historical details and highlighting the impressive Pinault art collection.

Another big Concrete story in the news this month was the completion and inhabitation of the first 3D printed concrete house in Europe. With its whimsical sausagey appearance and soft lines, it feels at once both futuristic and prehistoric. Composed of various parts that were 3D printed off-site before being assembled together on-site, it is the first in five houses that are planned in the city of Eindhoven (The Netherlands) as part of ‘Project Milestone’.

From Project Milestone’s Website 

In 3D printing, the concrete used is optimized as it is able to be applied and layered where it is specifically needed for form and construction, unlike poured concrete which must be solid and uses a lot more primary material. The more concrete that is used, the more CO2 emissions are released, as greenhouse gasses are released when concrete is produced, so this new method is both energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly.

Here at American Supply, we have many different concrete-effect materials in our collection that give you the look and feel of concrete without the weight, environmental impact, and complications of their application, making them perfect for forward-thinking merchandising and POS solutions. These materials allow you to achieve the beautiful aspect of concrete without using massive amounts of raw materials and can be used for temporary or permanent applications depending on your needs.

This month, we look at Recycled materials, focusing on the textile potential of Recycled PET. 

In our library we have many textiles composed of 100% Recycled PET, here are some of our favorites:

Contact us if you are interested in any of these new materials.