This section tracks the evolution of building materials and their impact on contemporary architecture, design, and construction. From engineered wood and carbon-reinforced concrete to thermal insulation and low-impact coatings, ArchUp documents material shifts that shape how projects are built and perceived.
Our editorial team curates insights for architects, contractors, and interior designers, presenting case studies, expert interviews, and trend analyses across global practices. Explore our growing database of material datasheets, dive into sustainable alternatives, or view award-winning material usage in competition-winning buildings.
We see materials as both tools and narratives. For inquiries or to submit product insights, contact our editorial team and be part of documenting the material intelligence that drives global architecture.
Urban infill sites challenge architects to find creative solutions for tight spaces with limited light and views. The glass brick house in Ghent, Belgium, designed by Delmulle Delmulle Architecten, is a striking response to these constraints. Occupying a narrow 98-square-metre…
The Coil House Restoration by Australian studio Karen Abernethy Interiors and Architecture is a masterful example of how to extend a heritage-listed modernist home while preserving its original charm. Located in Melbourne’s Ivanhoe East suburb, this 1950s residence was designed…
Concrete rarely evokes softness or warmth, yet the newly unveiled veterinary hospital in Tirana, Albania, challenges this assumption with grace and intelligence. Designed by Swiss firm Davide Macullo Architects, this 2,243-square-metre facility is more than a medical space—it’s a sculptural…
Located in the rapidly evolving Francisville neighborhood of Philadelphia, Lo Design’s latest project—the Francis apartment building—brings a fresh architectural perspective while paying homage to its historic surroundings. This condominium complex, clad in white standing seam metal, sits adjacent to a…
Nestled deep within the lush forests of Puerto Varas, Chile, the House in the Forest by Daiber & Aceituno Arquitectos offers a thoughtful and sustainable architectural refuge that embraces its natural surroundings. This compact, 100-square-meter home was designed with an…
In the remote village of Songzhuang in China’s Zhejiang province, the Songzhuang Z Museum stands as a delicate fusion of modern structure and textile heritage. Designed by Shanghai-based studio Team BLDG, the museum is the first contemporary rural institution in…
IntroductionIn the heart of Hackney, east London, a striking new residence known as Twin House redefines the concept of domesticity and family space. Designed by Graeme Williamson Architects, the bold double-gabled form isn’t just an architectural statement—it’s a narrative of…
IntroductionOn the peaceful outskirts of Brussels, Belgian studio Hé! has redefined what a contemporary home extension can be—with sensitivity to light, nature, and adaptability. At the heart of this renovation is a mature wisteria vine, carefully preserved and now thriving…
By the Editor-in-Chief – ArchUpIn the corners of emerging cities, materials accumulate as questions do. The abundance of building materials in today’s markets resembles an endless festival, where materials are displayed not to serve an honest architectural function, but to…
Nestled atop Lookout Mountain in northern Maine, the newly completed Tekαkαpimək Contact Station by Saunders Architecture officially opened its doors to the public on 21 June 2025. More than a visitor center, this cedar-clad mountaintop structure stands as a powerful…
A striking steel structure has taken shape in Knoxville, Tennessee, thanks to local studio Sanders Pace Architecture, which has completed the Baker Creek Pavilion — a sculptural intervention blending architecture with community, nature, and active recreation.Located within a 100-acre park,…
Architecture studio Whittaker Parsons has masterfully transformed a typical 1970s suburban terrace in southeast London into a light-filled, flexible, and modern family home through a remarkable London courtyard house extension. This project challenges the traditional rear extension typology common in…
A Radical Redefinition of the Festival StageIn an era where temporary pavilions are often showpieces of formal acrobatics, the Dark Skies installation at the 11th Horst Arts & Music Festival offers a completely different narrative—one built not of enclosure, but…
Marazzi has unveiled a new range of high-performance porcelain surfaces as part of its Marazzi The Top Collection, expanding its aesthetic vocabulary with patterns that echo the natural beauty of marble and stone. These latest additions highlight the Italian brand’s…
Earthenware House by Naqi & Partners: A Living Ceramic Story in VietnamIntroduction: A New Vernacular in Southern VietnamIn a region known for its rich ceramic traditions, Earthenware House by Naqi & Partners rises as both a tribute and a transformation….
The construction industry actively seeks sustainable materials that reduce environmental impact while maintaining high quality. NXT Brick stands out as an innovative product from the Netherlands, made with approximately 85% recycled mineral waste. This chemically cured brick manufacturing method lowers…
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a groundbreaking class of stretchable metamaterials—synthetic materials that combine exceptional strength with remarkable flexibility. This breakthrough offers exciting opportunities across various fields such as construction, electronics, product design, and fashion,…
The unEarthed / Second Nature / PolliNATION project premiered at the 2025 Venice Biennale in Italy. It combines architectural experimentation, ecological thinking, and advanced materials research, including the innovative use of sustainable and eco-friendly building materials. Architect Enric Ruiz Geli…
Sustainable building materials play a crucial role in today’s architecture. Recently, a student team at the Technical University of Munich developed an innovative façade system inspired by Jugendstil. This project combines heritage design with digital fabrication to create a sustainable…
Biodegradable building materials represent a breakthrough for the construction industry aiming to reduce plastic pollution and improve sustainability. HIRO Technologies has pioneered this concept by creating a diaper embedded with fungi that accelerate decomposition. This innovation provides a roadmap for…
In the realm of interior finishes, materials that balance aesthetics and durability are increasingly sought after. Therefore, seamless metal finish coating by Grandezza from Volimea offers an innovative solution that transforms metallic surfaces. It provides a smooth, joint-free finish that…
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