The current invention is a composite material and a method for making a material that changes an optical characteristic by utilizing the temperature dependent intrinsic properties of at least two phases in the composite. With changes in temperature, these composites become translucent due to the refractive index mismatch that is accompanied by interfacial light scattering.

A magnetic fastener and wall covering system include at least one wall panel having a front facing surface, a metallic rear facing surface and a side surface forming any number of different shapes. A plurality of wall fasteners and wall anchors are provided to penetrate and engage a wall. A plurality of magnetic washers are provided having a central aperture for receiving one of the plurality of wall fasteners, and for attracting to the metallic rear surface of the wall panel. The system also includes one or more wall strips having a magnetic top surface and an adhesive back surface.

A magnetic fastener and wall covering system include at least one wall panel having a front facing surface, a metallic rear facing surface and a side surface forming any number of different shapes. A plurality of wall fasteners and wall anchors are provided to penetrate and engage a wall. A plurality of magnetic washers are provided having a central aperture for receiving one of the plurality of wall fasteners, and for attracting to the metallic rear surface of the wall panel. The system also includes one or more wall strips having a magnetic top surface and an adhesive back surface.

A ceiling panel according to the present invention has opposed translucent membranes secured in a tensioned state across a perimeter frame. The frame includes frame members that are designed to oppose inward bowing of the perimeter frame caused by the tensioned membranes. The frame members have a side profile shaped to conceal a grid support network with the lower translucent member extending across and about a lower edge of the perimeter frame. The invention also includes a modified structure for supporting of translucent panels below a grid network.

A ceiling panel according to the present invention has opposed translucent membranes secured in a tensioned state across a perimeter frame. The frame includes frame members that are designed to oppose inward bowing of the perimeter frame caused by the tensioned membranes. The frame members have a side profile shaped to conceal a grid support network with the lower translucent member extending across and about a lower edge of the perimeter frame. The invention also includes a modified structure for supporting of translucent panels below a grid network.

A structural wall unit system includes a plurality of wall units having at least one face being a rotational tessellation. The face has at least two irregular sides extending therefrom. Each side of the wall units have at least one spacer or connector configured to engage other wall units. The structural wall unit system also includes a plurality of starter course units, where each starter course unit has a portion of a primary rotational tessellation element having at least one irregularly shaped side that is an image of the first side or the third side. Each irregularly shaped side of the starter course units have at least one spacer or connector configured to engage the wall units, and the starter course units have at least one straight side. The starter course units and the wall units are configured for assembly as a structural wall having a natural, random appearance.

A structural wall unit system includes a plurality of wall units having at least one face being a rotational tessellation. The face has at least two irregular sides extending therefrom. Each side of the wall units have at least one spacer or connector configured to engage other wall units. The structural wall unit system also includes a plurality of starter course units, where each starter course unit has a portion of a primary rotational tessellation element having at least one irregularly shaped side that is an image of the first side or the third side. Each irregularly shaped side of the starter course units have at least one spacer or connector configured to engage the wall units, and the starter course units have at least one straight side. The starter course units and the wall units are configured for assembly as a structural wall having a natural, random appearance.

A double skin façade (DSF) for a building is disclosed. The DSF has a first façade, a second façade, and a gap extending therebetween. Movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward an upper end of the DSF, causing movement of air contaminants from a lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, and thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building. Also disclosed is a building having a DSF, and a method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon by constructing a DSF on a building.

A double skin façade (DSF) for a building is disclosed. The DSF has a first façade, a second façade, and a gap extending therebetween. Movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward an upper end of the DSF, causing movement of air contaminants from a lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, and thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building. Also disclosed is a building having a DSF, and a method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon by constructing a DSF on a building.

A baseboard element including a nose portion, a riser portion coupled to the nose portion, and a wall groove portion coupled to the riser portion. The nose portion includes a nose bottom section and a nose face section. The riser portion includes a riser section approximately perpendicular to the nose bottom section. The nose portion is positioned only on a first side of the riser section, and the wall groove portion is positioned only on a second side of the riser section, the second side opposite the first side. The nose bottom section comprises a nose bottom edge that is located at a terminal end of the nose bottom section and that is located closer to a plane defined by the riser section than the nose face section is to the plane. Other embodiments are also provided.