Material Samples Collection Open House
Explore the MATERIAL SAMPLES COLLECTION, a hands-on resource created to provide inspiration, inform design thinking, and foster innovation.
The Material Samples Collection is the result of a collaborative effort between Gabriella Karl-Johnson, Princeton University Library's Architecture Librarian, and Willow Dressel, PUL's Engineering Librarian, who investigated options and content, creating a collection that is specific to the needs of University faculty, students, and visiting scholars. The presence of a materials collection at peer institutions is on the rise.
As Gabriella Karl-Johnson, Architecture Librarian, explains, "Material sample collections have been a staple in architecture and interior design firms for many years, but similar collections are increasingly being created in educational institutions that support architecture, design, studio arts, and even engineering. The Architecture and Engineering Materials Collection is intended to facilitate a foundational understanding and appreciation for basic materials used in design and construction, as well as to promote research insight from exposure to more complex and innovative materials. The collection is intended to educate and to inspire everyone who will use the collection.