Running late on a project and short on inspiration? At Material ConneXion, designers can jump onto the Internet or visit one of four international libraries showcasing 3,000 of the most intriguing substances on Earth. “People have been more interested in innovation,” says Andrew Dent, who is the firm’s vice president in charge of the “physical” library of materials.
Founded in 1997 by George M. Beylerian, a furniture designer, Material ConneXion is now a busy clearinghouse that reviews about 50 new products every month and works with designers to find the right stuff for projects ranging from clock radios to buildings. Manufacturers are invited to submit new products, but not every sample gets through the door. Each is scrutinized by a panel of architects and designers who judge its level of innovation.