At the AIA National Convention and Expo in Boston this week, one noteable trend was the presence of artistic applications in the architectural products and projects showing. Jim Crockett, Editorial Director at Architectural Products, noted this trend while looking over images of Richard E. Lindner Center at the University of Cincinnati featuring a photographic silkscreened metal ceiling at the Hunter Douglas Contract booth (below, left).

We also saw this trend in the use of interposed textures to create patterns, and brilliant colors across traditionally neutral mediums, such as terracotta tiles. Although the old gold standard of monolithic design will surely always have a strong presence, it's really exciting to see architects working hand-in-hand with product designers to create buildings with a personality of their own.

Also of note, and my personal favorite at the tradeshow, were the modular decorative spaces being shown by Interlam. The compounding of wild textures (like largescale 3D swirls and babbling brook-type ripples) in bright incarnations were really amazing. I was entranced by the pyramid stud-like molding in deep bronze (below, right) - very punk rock meets Park Avenue. They were also able to evoke a more elegant tone by doing a simulated-hammered effect in brilliant white laminate - stunning!