Texture Playground EP2

What Keywords Do You Use to Search for Materials? When searching for materials, what keywords do you use? At Conc 2024, the most searched keyword was, unsurprisingly, “sustainability.” Material categories like metal, stone, and glass were also popular. But interestingly, adjectives ranked high on the list as well! Many people looked for words that convey uniqueness, like “new” and “distinctive,” or tactile qualities such as “soft,” “bouncy,” “rough,” and “smooth.” So! For the final installment of our 2024 review, <Texture Playground>, we've gathered materials that highlight various textures, paired with descriptive adjectives. Explore a collection of materials that engage both visual and tactile senses!

Episode 1 │ Smooth · Soft · Squishy
Episode 2 │ Bumpy · Sculpted · Rough

4. Materials with a Bumpy Surface

Synonyms for “bumpy”: textured, uneven
: A surface with small irregularities and raised areas. Neither too rough nor too smooth, it creates a natural, balanced feel.

a. Stucco, Lime Plaster

A textured surface with small bumps and dips naturally highlights the material’s depth. It’s not overly rough or striking, making it an ideal choice for creating an organic, warm atmosphere. That’s why this texture is a favorite in interior design. Among wall finishes, plaster offers great versatility, allowing for various patterns and effects. It remains a consistently popular choice in the world of plaster-based finishes.

b. Clay Plaster, Acoustic Plaster

Clay-based plaster carries the natural texture of soil, giving it an earthy warmth. It also helps regulate humidity and provides sound absorption, making it a functional choice for acoustic plaster. Depending on the finish, it can range from a fine, smooth surface to a more layered, rammed-earth look that emphasizes its organic qualities.

c. 3D printing

3D printing builds up layers to create objects, meaning the final texture depends on the printing process. While post-processing can make it completely smooth, leaving the layered texture visible gives it a unique character that sets it apart from typical plastic surfaces. Mixing natural materials like wood powder or marble dust into the filament can further enhance its organic feel.

d. PVA

PVA is commonly used in bouncy balls and slime. It dissolves easily in water and forms a sticky, gel-like consistency. Artist Song Min-jae experimented with this property to create sculptural pieces like vases and lighting fixtures. Once hardened, the surface is made up of tiny granules, resulting in a highly distinctive texture.

e. Elastic Coating

Applying a thick layer of elastic putty over sponge or Styrofoam can create a rock-like texture. Since the material has flexibility, it doesn’t crack when pressed, offering an unexpected contrast between its hard appearance and soft, pliable touch.

g. ALC block, Styrofoam

ALC blocks and Styrofoam are easy to carve or shape with CNC cutting, making them highly adaptable for various applications. For example, the hot pink walls in Anderson Bell’s Gyeongbokgung store were likely created using a similar technique. When coated with acrylic or urethane paint, the surface becomes rigid, resembling plastic. These materials share a resemblance with 3D-printed objects due to their lightweight, bumpy texture. If precision is a priority, using 3D printing can achieve even more refined details—definitely worth exploring if time and resources allow.

5. Materials with a Sculpted Surface

Synonyms for "sculpted": uneven, bumpy, undulating
: A surface with rises and dips, creating a pronounced three-dimensional effect. Similar to textured surfaces, but with more depth and volume

a. Slumped Glass, 3D Glass

This term typically describes materials with noticeable curves and dimensionality that can be felt when touched. These materials are often visually striking, emphasizing form over texture. When transparent glass is molded into three-dimensional shapes, it creates mesmerizing reflections and distorted silhouettes that exude elegance and beauty.

b. Leather Wall Panels, 3D Wood Panels

The deeper the undulations, the stronger the shadows, which enhance the sense of depth in a space. Chatoyant’s leather pieces, shaped by soaking and molding leather, capture a rippling effect, while MDF-based wall panels carved to create volume achieve a dramatic impact, especially when paired with lighting.

c. Decorative Panels

Some wood panels incorporate raised patterns made from wood or stone clay, mimicking the texture of thick woven fabrics. These designs create a tactile softness similar to actual fabric. Additionally, the fine details formed when the molded surface slightly cracks enhance the natural look.

d. 3D Metal, Metal HPL

3D metal panels can take on various forms, from wavy patterns to hammered textures, crumpled paper effects, or quilted designs. The way metal reflects light enhances these raised patterns, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere—especially when applied to ceilings, where the effect is magnified. High-pressure laminates (HPL) and PVC sheets can also achieve similar depth and dimensionality, offering a practical alternative to real metal.

e. Aluminum

Recently, Olive Young N Seongsu’s Perfume Library and Tamburins’ Seongsu flagship store have featured fixtures with sculpted metal surfaces. Similar effects can be achieved through casting or forging, bringing depth and form to metallic finishes.

6. Materials with a Rough Surface

Synonyms for "rough": coarse, scratchy, unpolished
: A surface that lacks luster and feels rugged to the touch. The tactile experience can be intense, requiring careful handling.

a. Concrete

As the raw aesthetic gained popularity, there was a time when rougher textures became desirable. While its harsh and unrefined look can be divisive, concrete holds a uniquely powerful presence. A defining material of Brutalism, concrete epitomizes raw, rough surfaces. Some designs intentionally expose damaged frameworks, carve the material aggressively, or leave aggregates visible to highlight its toughness. Its sculptural potential also allows for massive pillars or monolithic structures that command attention through sheer presence.

b. Custom Terrazzo, Plaster

Some materials use the scratchy textures of plant stems, twigs, or tree bark as design elements. Custom terrazzo infused with crushed bark or plaster mixed with straw or jute fibers creates a tactile, organic finish. Since these materials are made by blending different components, the texture can be freely adjusted depending on the ingredients used.

c. Loofah

Loofahs, commonly used for dishwashing or exfoliation, come from the fibrous interior of the loofah plant. The densely interwoven cellular structure makes them both lightweight and durable. When dried and processed like fabric, loofah fibers can be used to create mats or even large-scale partitions.

d. Coir, Coconut Fiber

Like loofah, coir—derived from coconut husks—is incredibly tough. Fully matured coir fibers are thick and highly resistant to abrasion, making them ideal for ropes and brushes. Coir-woven mats are even sturdy enough to be used on walking trails. The material’s wild, untamed texture carries a primal charm, making it a compelling choice for conceptual designs.

e. Hemp Blocks, Hempcrete, Insulation, Acoustic Panels

Hemp has emerged as a sustainable building material. The rough core of the hemp stalk is ground into small particles, then mixed with water and lime to create blocks or boards. With natural insulating and sound-absorbing properties, hemp is gaining traction as an eco-friendly alternative for next-generation insulation.

f. Natural Fibers, Plant Byproducts

Beyond construction, hemp is widely used in textiles and cosmetics. Swiss designer Paula, who visited Korea this year, developed a face mask using discarded hemp and hay byproducts from cosmetic production. The mask comes in a dry fiber form that needs to be soaked in water before use. Since it’s fully biodegradable, it decomposes naturally without generating plastic waste.

📼 <Texture Playground> Mixtape – More Samples to Explore!

The Mixtape is exclusive content for Conc Master members. If you're curious about the features Conc offers, check them out here!

• <Texture Playground> Bumpy & Textured

• <Texture Playground> Sculpted & Uneven

• <Texture Playground> Rough & Unpolished

❋ Previous Episode │ Texture Playground EP1