2011 Product Reports | Products | Architectural Record

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2011 Product Reports

During my time as products editor for Architectural Record, I’ve seen thousands of new building products enter the market. While many of these designs are still in demand, others have disappeared for various reasons: They were too expensive to be practical on a large scale; they could not adapt to changing standards; or they simply failed to deliver what they promised. The main goal of our annual Product Reports issue is to highlight—with the help of an experienced jury—those products that we expect to stick around for years to come because they offer improved performance, an attractive design, or fill a gap in a certain category, from a game-changing carbon-negative cement to an elegant magnetic glass marker board.

This year, sustainability continued to be a major topic for the jury, and they were pleased by the number of new green products in the mix. Juror Gina Bocra (who gets special recognition for delivering her son two weeks after the meeting) felt encouraged by the number of manufacturers addressing a broad set of environmental criteria and working to improve thermal performance. “They’re getting beyond simple ideas like recycled content and looking at reductions in carbon footprint and embodied energy,” she noted. It’s not surprising, then, that despite some sexy materials in the Finishes category, two of the winners were simple wall and ceiling materials designed to improve indoor air quality.

Thanks again to our 2011 jury and the manufacturers and designers that entered this year. If you’d like to stay up on the latest building product and architecture news, please follow me on Twitter @RitaOrrell. —Rita Catinella Orrell

	About Our Jury Meet our seven member jury of lighting designers, architects, and product specialists. Photo © Axel Dupeux

	Concrete & Exterior Improvements Cement \| Precast Concrete \| Site Furnishings \| Tree Grates “This product [Novacam Carbon Negative Cement] has the potential to make a big impact on the construction industry as a whole. Truly carbon-negative products, performing at the same levels as their carbon-burning predecessors, should become the new standard.” — Adam Zimmerman

	Materials Metal Specialties \| Metal Railings \| Decorative Metal \| Wood Framing “My top picks were based either on real innovation in performance with sleek-looking design (BrightShelf), wide applicability in the market (TJ-insulated products), or pure beauty and seductive appeal (Crystal Titanium).” — Gina Bocra

	Thermal & Moisture Protection Roof Tiles \| Thermal Insulation \| Vegetative Roofing Systems “Fiberglass insulation is such a widely used category that this product [Owens Corning EcoTouch] has a huge potential impact.”—Stephan Jaklitsch

	Openings Light shelves \| Glazing \| Window & Door Hardware “Fire-resistant partitions are often clumsy and cumbersome. Contraflam provides a well-detailed, elegant solution.” — Adam Zimmerman

	Equipment Residential Appliances \| Health-Care Equipment \| Unit Kitchens “The 14kW & 20kW residential home generator updates a product that has become increasingly in demand for our practice. A composite shell that is corrosion-proof is appropriate for coastal areas especially prone to power loss.” — Robert Luntz

	Finishes Gypsum Board \| Tiling \| Ceilings \| Countertops \| Flooring “I’ve seen and specified the Barz Ceiling System. It can provide integration with HVAC systems and access to the ceiling. It’s a nice product, if used well.” — Stephan Jaklitsch

	Specialties Markerboards \| Exterior Sun-Control Devices \| Vehicle-Charging Stations “Versoleil SunShades by Kawneer are a nice ‘right-out-of-thebox’ solution. Interesting that they integrate with existing Kawneer products and can be installed either vertically or horizontally based upon orientation.” — Robert Luntz

	Furnishings Window Treatments \| Office Furniture \| Seating \| Fabrics “Halina is a lightweight, interesting alternative to a sheer fabric for windows.” — Paulette Pascarella

	Plumbing & HVAC Residential Plumbing Fixtures \| HVAC Cleaning Devices “The KWC Ava seems like such a no-brainer! How much energy is wasted by the normal mix at the 6 o’clock position? If it really makes a difference, other manufacturers should pay attention.” — Gina Bocra

	Electrical Interior Lighting \| Exterior Lighting \| Bulbs “We selected the Kelvin LED as grand winner because the manufacturer and designer have solved many issues associated with quality LED lighting all in one fixture.It has great color and output, elegant design, innovative technology, heat management, and is human-centric.” Jason Neches & —Maureen Moran

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	About Our Jury Meet our seven member jury of lighting designers, architects, and product specialists. Photo © Axel Dupeux

	Concrete & Exterior Improvements Cement \| Precast Concrete \| Site Furnishings \| Tree Grates “This product [Novacam Carbon Negative Cement] has the potential to make a big impact on the construction industry as a whole. Truly carbon-negative products, performing at the same levels as their carbon-burning predecessors, should become the new standard.” — Adam Zimmerman

	Materials Metal Specialties \| Metal Railings \| Decorative Metal \| Wood Framing “My top picks were based either on real innovation in performance with sleek-looking design (BrightShelf), wide applicability in the market (TJ-insulated products), or pure beauty and seductive appeal (Crystal Titanium).” — Gina Bocra

	Thermal & Moisture Protection Roof Tiles \| Thermal Insulation \| Vegetative Roofing Systems “Fiberglass insulation is such a widely used category that this product [Owens Corning EcoTouch] has a huge potential impact.”—Stephan Jaklitsch

	Openings Light shelves \| Glazing \| Window & Door Hardware “Fire-resistant partitions are often clumsy and cumbersome. Contraflam provides a well-detailed, elegant solution.” — Adam Zimmerman

	Equipment Residential Appliances \| Health-Care Equipment \| Unit Kitchens “The 14kW & 20kW residential home generator updates a product that has become increasingly in demand for our practice. A composite shell that is corrosion-proof is appropriate for coastal areas especially prone to power loss.” — Robert Luntz

	Finishes Gypsum Board \| Tiling \| Ceilings \| Countertops \| Flooring “I’ve seen and specified the Barz Ceiling System. It can provide integration with HVAC systems and access to the ceiling. It’s a nice product, if used well.” — Stephan Jaklitsch

	Specialties Markerboards \| Exterior Sun-Control Devices \| Vehicle-Charging Stations “Versoleil SunShades by Kawneer are a nice ‘right-out-of-thebox’ solution. Interesting that they integrate with existing Kawneer products and can be installed either vertically or horizontally based upon orientation.” — Robert Luntz

	Furnishings Window Treatments \| Office Furniture \| Seating \| Fabrics “Halina is a lightweight, interesting alternative to a sheer fabric for windows.” — Paulette Pascarella

	Plumbing & HVAC Residential Plumbing Fixtures \| HVAC Cleaning Devices “The KWC Ava seems like such a no-brainer! How much energy is wasted by the normal mix at the 6 o’clock position? If it really makes a difference, other manufacturers should pay attention.” — Gina Bocra

	Electrical Interior Lighting \| Exterior Lighting \| Bulbs “We selected the Kelvin LED as grand winner because the manufacturer and designer have solved many issues associated with quality LED lighting all in one fixture.It has great color and output, elegant design, innovative technology, heat management, and is human-centric.” Jason Neches & —Maureen Moran