Materials Inside and Out

Inspired by the working process of international architect David Adjaye, this installation in the Ryan Learning Center interactive gallery invites visitors of all ages to discover how architects use building materials like wood, fabric, ceramic tiles, laminates, paint, stone, and plastics to create form and atmosphere. Visitors can arrange material samples and sketches to create a “mood board” (just like the professionals do) and consider how color, texture, and cultural context create a specific feel as well as how materials affect the way we experience architecture inside and out—from personal spaces to museum galleries to buildings in Chicago.