Material is a technical element that establishes the physical presence of a building in architecture. It is also a multi-dimensional component that builds the atmosphere of a space, guides user experience, and represents cultural memory. The way material is shaped, the mark it leaves on the surface, its relationship with the environment, and its contact with the user shape the quality of the architectural experience.

^{Material in Architecture}^{(Tiago Alvez)}

Historical Development and Cultural Context

In the history of architecture, material has played a decisive role in the evolution of building production techniques and aesthetic understanding. In traditional architectures, material selection was mostly shaped by local resources, climate conditions, and cultural requirements; natural materials such as stone, wood, and earth were used not only as physical means but also as tools imbued with meaning. In Ancient Egypt, massive stone blocks were associated with permanence and sanctity; in Greco-Roman architecture, marble became the carrier of elegance and harmony; and in Gothic structures, stone integrated the perception of sacred space with light, transforming into an expression of the building's spirit.

With the Industrial Revolution, the introduction of artificial materials such as steel, concrete, and glass created a break not only in building scale but also in aesthetic understanding. Modernism treated these materials as a “visible” and “ideological” means of expression, transforming the concept of material in architecture from a technical preference into a cultural stance.

Local Material

The use of local materials is not merely a geographical necessity, but also a cultural strategy that ensures the sustainability of architectural identity. Region-specific materials such as stone, wood, and earth strengthen the building's connection with its surroundings, as well as its sense of belonging to the place. The reinterpretation of traditional techniques in contemporary architecture (e.g., blending rammed earth wall systems with modern building typologies) both updates and preserves this context. Furthermore, the spiritual value of material becomes even more prominent in religious buildings, monuments, or memorial spaces.

The Role of Material in the Design Process

Material functions at four fundamental levels in architectural design:

Structural: Ensures the physical integrity of the building through load-bearing capacity, durability, and construction technique.
Spatial: Contributes to the organization of space with features such as permeability, relationship with light, and surface texture.
Sensory: The feel, sound, light reflection, or smell of the material creates direct effects on spatial perception.
Semantic and Cultural: The historical context, symbolic load, and cultural representation of the material form the identity of the building.

Material Classification and Properties

Natural Materials

Examples: Stone, wood, earth, bamboo, straw
Advantages: Renewable, low carbon emissions, strong relationship with local context
Aesthetic Aspect: Sense of naturalness and warmth, traditional spatial experience

Artificial Materials

Examples: Concrete, steel, glass, aluminum, polycarbonate
Advantages: High strength, flexibility in shaping, industrial production
Aesthetic Aspect: Modernity, transparency, structural honesty

Smart Materials

Smart materials are a new generation of technological products that can respond to changes in environmental conditions and optimize the performance of structures. Thanks to their sensor and actuator functions, these materials function not merely as passive cladding, but as an active design component.

^{Material in Architecture}^{(Cottonbro Studios)}

Material Experience Through the Senses

In architecture, material is a fundamental component that offers a multi-sensory experience, not limited solely to visual aesthetics. The user's perception of space extends beyond visual elements, shaped by a holistic perception system that includes all tactile, auditory, olfactory, and thermal senses. For instance, the warmth of wooden surfaces, the coolness of stone, or the hardness of metal define the tactile experience; while the material's color, surface texture, interaction with light, and level of reflectivity contribute to visual perception. Similarly, the material's capacity to absorb sound, produce echo, or transmit sound shapes the auditory environment. The unique smells of natural materials create olfactory awareness, and physical properties like thermal conductivity determine the level of thermal comfort.

The totality of these sensory properties creates a long-term continuity of perception and experience between the user and the space. Natural materials, in particular, allow for the establishment of an emotional connection with the space through processes such as aging, weathering, and leaving marks over time. In contrast, imitations of natural materials, while initially offering a similar visual impression, may over time show deficiencies in surface quality, tactility, and physical responses, leading to alienation in the user. In this context, the selection of material is a decisive factor that directly affects the experiential and semantic layers of architectural design.

Technology and New Material Practices

Developments in digital design techniques have allowed material in architecture to evolve from merely a means of construction to a conceptual component of design. CAD/CAM systems and robotic manufacturing technologies, architects are expanding the formal potential of materials by designing surfaces with complex geometries and parametric facade systems. This transformation enables material to take on a more dynamic role, both physically and spatially.

For instance, in the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the use of composite materials allowed for the realization of the building's fluid and continuous form; thus, material became a fundamental design element enabling the continuity of form. Similarly, in Kengo Kuma's GC Prostho Museum Research Center project, the traditional Japanese wood joinery technique was reinterpreted with a contemporary approach, achieving an innovative expression both structurally and aesthetically. These examples demonstrate how material, re-thought with digital tools, is enriched in terms of meaning and function in contemporary architecture.

Material and Sustainability

In contemporary architecture, the use of materials is no longer limited solely to aesthetic or functional requirements; it has transformed into a multi-dimensional decision-making process evaluated within the framework of environmental responsibility and sustainability principles. Environmental criteria such as energy efficiency, low carbon emissions, local production possibilities, and recyclability have become decisive factors in material selection.

In this context, the reinterpretation of local materials in contemporary designs enables buildings to establish a stronger relationship with their environmental context and to make elements of local identity visible. On the other hand, the use of energy-saving smart materials is also becoming increasingly widespread, gaining priority in projects in line with green building certifications and sustainable design standards. For instance, photovoltaic facade systems transform the building's exterior surface from merely a shell into an active energy-generating component; thus, standing out as a concrete application of environmentally friendly architectural approaches.

Material in Architecture