Jim Postell & Nancy Gesimondo 
Materiality and Interior Construction 

A comprehensive reference of materials for interior designers
and architects

Choosing the right material for the right purpose is a
critical–and often overlooked–aspect in the larger
context of designing buildings and interior spaces. When specified
and executed properly, materials support and enhance a project’s
overall theme, and infuse interior space with a solid foundation
that balances visual poetry and functionality.

Materiality and Interior Construction imparts essential
knowledge on how materials contribute to the construction and
fabrication of floors, partitions, ceilings, and millwork, with
thorough coverage of the important characteristics and properties
of building materials and finishes. Individual coverage of the key
characteristics of each material explores the advantages and
disadvantages of using specific materials and construction
assemblies, while helping readers discover how to make every
building element count. In addition, Materiality and Interior
Construction:

* Is highly illustrated throughout to show material properties and
building assemblies

* Supplies rankings and information on the ‘green’ attributes of
each material so that designers can make informed decisions for
specifications

* Is organized by application for easy and quick access to
information

* Includes a companion website, featuring an extensive online
image bank of materials and assemblies

Rather than a typical catalog of materials, Materiality and
Interior Construction is efficiently organized so that the
reader is guided directly to the options for the location or
assembly they are considering. Reliable and easy to use,
Materiality and Interior Construction is a one-stop,
comprehensive reference for hundreds of commonly used materials and
their integration as building components–and an invaluable
resource that every interior designer or architect should add to
their set of tools.

About the author

Nancy Gesimondo is an Adjunct Professor at the Fashion
Institute of Technology in New York City. She has taught design
studio and materials courses in various Interior Design programs
for ten years. She is currently the principal of a high-end
residential design practice in New York City.

Jim Postell is an Associate Professor in the College of
Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of
Cincinnati. He has taught design studio and seminar courses for
twenty-five years and maintains an active design practice. He is
the author of Furniture Design, published by Wiley.