ABSTRACT
Materials generally form one of the most important variables in the
process of technical design. There are many parameters involved in
the choice of materials, but they fall into three main categories, initially
availability and suitability are the primary variables, but the familiarity of
the designers with these two issues is also paramount. This defines the
‘comfort zone’ for most designers and also represents the primary
obstacle to innovation and a subsequent move to more sustainable
design practices.